BORDER upcycles surplus hollow polycarbonate into icy furniture for DESIGNART tokyo

rikiya toyoshima & shoumu taki exhibit at designart tokyo

Presented at DESIGNART Tokyo 2023, BORDER upcycles surplus hollow polycarbonate into a series of icy furniture pieces. Designed by Rikiya Toyoshima and Shoumu Taki, this collection breathes new life into the excess, exploring the potential of these overlooked resources as innovative interior solutions. The designers collected offcuts of these materials from a joiner workshop in Okayama Prefecture, which were originally used for doors and windows due to their transparency, heat insulation, and durability. However as each piece is custom-made, this presented a surplus challenge as the pieces resulted in uneven sizes occupying storage space. In response, the designers processed the surplus into thin, uniform boards, and repurposed them into a stool, table, partition, and light.

all images courtesy of Shoumu Taki

border: from plastic interior waste to icy furniture

In a world marked by creation, mass production, and consumption, surplus is inevitable, often destined for disposal. With this in sight Rikiya Toyoshima (more here) and Shoumu Taki (more here) recognized the untapped wisdom in repurposing these overlooked materials for BORDER. Together, they drew inspiration from the idea that excess can be a source of creativity — whether it’s scraps of clothing turning into personalized accessories, food transformed into an ecological recipe.

Taking a holistic approach, the design duo crafted a concept that harmonized with the distinct sizes of the surplus boards. They devised a joint construction that capitalizes on the continuous lines of the material, incorporating caulking material — commonly used in glass adherence in interior construction — into grooves at both ends. The result is a visually striking piece that introduces an eccentric, unseen design aesthetic to everyday spaces.

honing the strength and lightness of hollow polycarbonate with dynamic light reflections

Rikiya Toyoshima and Shoumu Taki unveil BORDER at DESIGNART Tokyo 2023

the designers processed the surplus into thin, uniform boards that shape the new furniture

undulating Partition

project info:

name: BORDER
designer: Rikiya Toyoshima, Shoumu Taki

partner company: Tanaka Kaken Co., Ltd. 

photography: Tomoro Nakasuji

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: ravail khan | designboom