Karimoku has announced a new bespoke collection of furniture, the NF Collection designed by Norman Foster and the Industrial Design team. It comprises a dining chair, two stools, a lounge chair, a sofa, and a dining table. All sharing the same distinctive smooth and organic design, each item has been manufactured by Karimoku’s state-of-the-art woodworking machines and has been hand-finished meticulously by artisan craftsmen.
Norman Foster, Founder and Executive Chairman, Foster + Partners: “The bespoke pieces are characterised by the flowing lines of skeletal timber frames and pads of soft upholstery. Refined by Karimoku’s special quality of craftsmanship, each element is distinguished by blended forms and subtle transitions of grain.”
Mike Holland, Head of Industrial Design and Senior Partner, added: “Karimoku’s attention to detail, high level of craftsmanship and proven record of beautifully crafting wooden furniture made them a natural choice for this project. They understand the importance of storytelling through design and the delicate relationship between furniture and architectural space.”
To celebrate the collaboration, select items of the collection will be on view for the first time at an extensive exhibition at Karimoku’s own showroom and gallery space, Karimoku Commons Tokyo, Japan, opening on 21 October 2022. The complete NF Collection will be launched later.
The collection includes:
Dining chair (NF-DC01) – designed through a continuous exploration of form and ergonomics, in search of a balance between the two. The distinctive frame and organic transitions give the dining chair a refined complexity.
Backless stool (NF-BS01) – showcases the soft transition of the NF Collection with its blended timber joints. The stool’s simple composition and proportions are balanced and timeless.
High-back stool (NF-BS02) – designed to provide extra support and comfort while maintaining the distinctive design language of the NF Collection. The stool is characterized by its upholstered back and tapering timber frame which gives its elegant stance.
Lounge chair (NF-LC01) – designed with softness and comfort at its heart. The internal upholstery is inviting and provides overall cushioning. The low seat of the lounge chair together with its soft, rounded upholstery and crafted timber details create a chair that is sophisticated yet friendly.
Sofa (NF-S01) – the distinctive silhouette of the sofa was born out of the lounge chair. However, with its deeper seat, and thicker backrest, the sofa is more generous and luxurious. The expressive timber frame ties the sofa to the NF Collection and expresses the exceptional craftsmanship of Karimoku.
Dining table (NF-DT01) – has a simple silhouette and refined geometry that are characteristic of the NF Collection. The soft corners embrace the language of the NF-DC01, whose sloping armrests tuck neatly into the matching angle on the table’s underside.
