studio bycolor revitalizes japanese folding screens for milan design week

studio bycolor teams up with kataoka byoubu

The 360 BYOUBU designed by Kaori Akiyama of STUDIO BYCOLOR is an element rooted in Chinese and Japanese heritage that expands to transform spaces. Following its debut at Milan Design Week 2023, the contemporary screen is set to return to this year’s event with an enhanced design. Crafted in collaboration with Kataoka Byoubu, the only store in Tokyo that specializes in folding screens, it revitalizes the ancient art of folding screens, showcasing the evolution of traditional crafts through intricate folds and Japanese paper hinges.

all images courtesy of STUDIO BYCOLOR

360 byoubu folding screen integrates durable washi hinges

The folding screen came from China about 1,300 years ago, and later evolved in Japan to integrate hinges made of Japanese paper instead of metal. Washi hinges, which do not allow even the slightest wind or light to pass through, take advantage of the characteristics of the extremely thin yet durable material. This technique has been passed down from generation to generation at Kataoka Byoubu, which together with STUDIO BYCOLOR (more here), draws inspiration from this mechanism and its rich heritage to reinterpret the beauty of folding screens in contemporary settings.

Unlike those screens that exist quietly as backgrounds for dolls and flowers, and from those that are used for folding screen paintings in the field of traditional crafts, these screens with a compact design are multifunctional objects for the home, usable for flexible partitions or even quiet nooks to work in. At this year’s Milan Design Week, 360 BYOUBU will be presented at NEW NORMAL, NEW STANDARD at Isola Design District. The exhibition will be on view from April 15 — 20.

Kaori Akiyama of STUDIO BYCOLOR designs 360 BYOUBU

set to be unveiled at Milan Design Week 2024

showcasing the evolution of traditional crafts through intricate folds and Japanese paper hinges

by integrating washi hinge, light is blocked from passing through

crafted in collaboration with Kataoka Byoubu

Koto Kataoka, the third generation of Kataoka Byoubu

BYOUBU MUSEUM in Kataoka Byoubu

Kataoka Byoubu produces traditional folding screens

project info:

name: 360 BYOUBU
designer: STUDIO BYCOLOR

lead designer: Kaori Akiyama

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edited by: ravail khan | designboom