Classon Koivisto Rune is an architectural design unit founded in Stockholm in 1995 by Morten Claesson, Eero Koivisto, and Ulla Rune, who met at Konstfack (Swedish National University of Arts and Crafts). He works in all genres of design, including architecture, products, and interior design.

"For us, work is our life. If we can build a good relationship with our clients, it will have a positive impact on our work, but if the relationship is the opposite, it can lead to unnecessary conflicts. We don't want to waste our precious lives on trivial matters." They say that they place importance on interpersonal relationships at work, and at the invitation of their old friend Teruhiro Yanagihara, they collaborated with Yuji Takahashi, the ``Sashimono Kagu Takahashi.''

The tables, benches, and stools named "Hand" housed in HAMACHO HOTEL's special room, TOKYO CRAFT ROOM, are beautiful pieces that make use of Takahashi's joinery skills and will make you want to touch them forever. .

Story, Clason, Koivisto, Rune
*Hereafter Morten Claesson (C), Eero Koivisto (K), Ulla Rune (R)

K: When I first met Teru (Yanagihara), he was still like a boy. However, we've had a good relationship ever since, and he asked me out this time as well. When it comes to creative work, the three of us always work together, but one person is always in charge of each project. Ula is in charge of this collaboration with Takahashi-san at TOKYO CRAFT ROOM.

R: When you design something by yourself, you can't help but imagine that it's going to turn out something like this. However, when three people work together, a chemical change occurs.

K: We've been working together for over 20 years, ever since we became friends through a project to design a bar on campus where students would hold parties on the weekends, and the relationship between the three of us has remained the same since then. Our fathers are all doctors, and our siblings are all the same (lol). That's why I understand what Ula is saying and what Morten is saying.

R: This project started with me staying at TOKYO CRAFT ROOM, meeting Mr. Takahashi, and learning about his techniques and the things he usually creates while showing me photos and actual items. Ta. The three of us took the inspiration we gained there, designed it together, and sent it to Mr. Takahashi. Once the prototype was completed, I went to Mr. Takahashi's workshop in Hiroshima with Wataru Kumano, a designer in charge of research and development at TOKYO CRAFT ROOM, to work out the details.

C: The process is generally the same for any project. In the case of architectural projects, we listen to the client's wishes and work together to come up with the best solution, and the same is true for products. This time we collaborated with a master craftsman called a joiner, but the method is the same when working with a high-tech manufacturer. We properly understand the characteristics of the customer, and after digesting that, we design. This time, I learned that Mr. Takahashi has a high level of joinery skills, so I came up with a design that would allow him to make the most of his skills.

R: This time, we added the condition that it would be made for a special guest room at a hotel called TOKYO CRAFT ROOM. Tell's idea of ​​gradually incorporating projects into the guest rooms and changing them is interesting.

C: It's like seeing Japan through this room. I think manufacturing in Japan and Scandinavia, where we live, have a minimalist approach and a "less is more" mindset in common. The same goes for respecting and appreciating nature. How to use wood as a material is extremely important in Scandinavia, and I think the same is true in Japan. They also have one thing in common: being humble. It is extremely important for us to express our thoughts and concepts while keeping them hidden within.

TOKYO CRAFT ROOM
http://www.tokyocraftroom.jp
*When there are no guests staying, you can take a tour by asking the reception.

→Next time is Maki Sakai (actress).

(Titles omitted)