SINGAPORE — Japanese designer Hiroki Sakamoto bagged the grand prize at this year’s Furniture Design Award for his miniature chairs inspired by a traditional Japanese dessert that dates
Yokan Chair by Hiroki Sakamoto
SINGAPORE — Japanese designer Hiroki Sakamoto bagged the grand prize at this year’s Furniture Design Award for his miniature chairs inspired by a traditional Japanese dessert that dates back to the 17th century. The Yokan Chair takes its name from the delicately tinted bars of sweet bean paste made from azuki beans, sugar and agar-agar.
Sakamoto was one of the 12 finalists weeded out from over 200 participants in this year’s competition. The panel of judges awarded him the grand prize of S$20,000 and a 12-square-meter space at next year’s International Furniture Fair Singapore (IFFS) for his whimsical design.
Eight of the other finalists also came up with chairs that followed a theme that championed resourcefulness and sustainability. One was made of three U-shaped pieces of laminated wood one could connect with magnets to form a stool. Another used a single-layered felt shell reinforced with a steel frame that could easily be assembled into an armchair or rolled up for shipment.
Jun Paul Lasco, who hails from Bohol but works in Cebu, was one of this year’s finalists. His Bench Screen is a high-backed bench that has a double purpose: It serves as seating and as a partition or divider.
