shigeki yamamoto designs play cupboard reminiscent of japanese temples

asked by friends to create a piece of furniture for the fashion week in paris, shigeki yamamoto has designed a new cupboard developed with the technique he always uses for his furniture. made of details reminiscent of construction kit bricks for kids, the piece is inspired by japanese temples from yamamoto’s childhood.

‘I started to search for inspiration by doing some rough sketches,’ yamamoto describes his working process. ‘one of those sketches contained a triangular element, that looked like a roof to me. instantly I thought of all the things many people connect with this kind of shape — shelter, peace, and life itself. my initial idea was to paint the ‘play cupboard’, but something told me to leave the wood in its pure, natural state. only when I looked at the finished piece, did I understand the reason for this strange sensation. my furniture reminded me of the temples and shrines that I grew up with in Japan.’

the play cupboard has a gabled roof a two half-round doors — once opened, they reveal three glass shelves. standing on long elegant legs, the piece is decorated by curved golden ribbons on the top.

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: maria erman | designboom