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Designer
nendo
nendo is a Japanese design studio founded in 2002 in Tokyo by the architect Oki Sato, who was born in Toronto in 1977 and graduated that year with a master's degree in architecture from Waseda University. A second office opened in Milan in…
Biography
Background
nendo is a Japanese design studio founded in 2002 in Tokyo by the architect Oki Sato, who was born in Toronto in 1977 and graduated that year with a master's degree in architecture from Waseda University. A second office opened in Milan in 2005. The name means "clay" in Japanese — a shape-shifting material that reflects the studio's playful, flexible approach. Sato has said that meeting Issey Miyake strongly influenced his work.
Signature Style
nendo is known for simple, minimalist design with subtle Japanese influences, and for a large output: by 2015 its designers produced more than 100 products a year for 19 brands, across architecture, interiors, furniture, industrial products and graphic design.
Notable Works
- Torii seating family for Minotti (2020), inspired by Shinto shrine gates
- N02 Recycle chair for Fritz Hansen (2019)
- The Tokyo 2020 Olympic cauldron
- Escher x nendo | Between Two Worlds, National Gallery of Victoria (2018)
Legacy
Sato was named Designer of the Year by Wallpaper* (2012) and has received the Good Design Award, German Design Award and ELLE DECO International Design Awards.
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Collections
Products
Tape Dining
Tape dining little armchair by nendo, with a 360-degree swivel base and a lumbar cushion
Bambi
Tape Armchair
Tape armchair by nendo for Minotti, with a curved shell and Bronze-coloured metal feet
Torii Dining
Torii dining little armchair by nendo, in fixed, swivel and Dining Large versions
Taiko
An oval aluminium table balancing a polished top on a cast pedestal base.
Drop
Two-sided column bookcases in laser-cut matte lacquered sheet metal by Nendo.
Pinch
Nendo's service tables with black metal tube frames and cedar or textured trays.
Thin Black Table
Nendo's 2011 low table of two off-axis cubes in a matte metal structure, carrying a glass top.
Ribbon Stool
Nendo's 2007 stool of laser-cut metal ribbons, folded from a single sheet, in high and low versions.
Saki Cord Outdoor Sun Lounger
nendo's organic outdoor island with petal-shaped panels in wicker-effect cord weaving
Amii Sun Lounger
nendo's Amii double daybed for Minotti, raised on teak feet with a woven cord backrest
Saki
Modular seating family by nendo with sinuous support panels inspired by unfolding flower buds.
