“Pivot Stool” lets you change the seat angle to suit what you’re doing, a chair for spending your own time, like a cup of tea, a book, or a little work.
Sit at the angle you like, and friction holds that tilt, so whether you relax or concentrate, the tilt follows your posture, by your mood and the moment.
A simple yet characteristic structure, achieved by applying the Japanese traditional craft “Kioke-zukuri” (wooden bucket making) and wood-turning.
Not only the dining table, the desk, or the vanity certainly, but also the entrance, the window, the hallway, a stair landing, even the spaces you usually pass by, with Pivot Stool you may discover a new scene.
It invites you to stay, turning that spot into a place for comfortable time.
Through this well-balanced coexistence of craft and design, it is a piece that reminds us what furniture is really for.
Collaborated with : Hyogo Kobayashi, Sakato Chair Co.
Development advisor : Nakanishi Factory Co,
Pivot Stool
Winner of Craft Competition in Takaoka 2025
WHY / context
Pivot Stool is focus on the three factors of a problem in society, succession of Japanese traditional technique, generated a lot of wood scraps while making process, and mass production.
The first, a young craftsman of specialised wood turnings, Hyogo Kobayashi, have additionally learned Japanese traditional technique wooden bucket called “Kioke Dukuri” in order to embody the Pivot Stool.
The second, the core inside of Pivot Stool’s pouf was made of bonded scrap woods which were disposed due to trial, wasted, or quality reasons.
The last thing of problem, Pivot Stool is designed for production of made-to-order to take a balance between demand and supply, such as capacity of handwork and for those who are requires high quality and value.
At the same time, Pivot Stool was design for more being acceptable design in the market of ergonomic furniture, as a simple structure or a clean form.
HOW / application
![Pivot Stool [Soil Brown]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/359c9a_bf91fd26d08b448b9290bbf34471b286~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_689,h_992,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Pivot%20Stool%20%5BSoil%20Brown%5D.jpg)
POUF
Material: Japanese cypress (waste wood), Ultrasuede®
Ball joint-like upholstered pouf made of super smooth textile Ultrasuede allow keep an angle from 0 to 25 degree which is based on ergonomics while sit on it due to friction between material. The core block is made of bonded recycled timber scraps. This part is repairable.
LOWER BASE
Material: Japanese cypress
The Japanese traditional technique of “KIOKE ZUKURI” inspired lower base is also made by wood turning finish. Not only smooth surface, but also you can notice extra-sophisticated techniques of trace of “KIOKE ZUKURI” inside the base.
MIDDLE BASE
Material: Japanese cypress
The middle base is crafted from Yoshino Hinoki (Japanese cypress), wood-turned by an artisan into a trapezoidal shape that enables the pouf’s smooth movement. This component is also designed for easy replacement and is fully repairable.
WHAT / implementation
Pivot Stool is designed to be made from natural materials such as
Yoshino Cypress which is produced in a area where atelier located,
using wasted wood and leather.
All of parts can be repaired for long-lasting use.
In addition, the made-to-order system balances demand and supply,
helping to reduce waste and care for the environment.
Its design allows users to stay, turning that spot into a place for comfortable time.
Through this well-balanced coexistence of craft and design, it is a piece that reminds us what furniture is really for.
They have vary of 5 colours available.
