Tomoyuki Murakami founded BENDS Design in 2013, and prior to that, he worked for several design firms in Tokyo and had experience working at design room702. After founding BENDS, he focused on the design of restaurants, shops and business complexes, but also undertook the design of hotels, residences and high-rise buildings, and his works were published in a series of Japanese design websites and magazines, which were very popular.
-01-
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The owner of this tea room is a tea wholesaler who exports to Europe and the United States, and his brand is marked by "ink painting", which pursues the atmosphere of enjoying Japanese tea with ease. Therefore, the designer tried to reduce the information conveyed by the space through the symmetrical layout of the left and right, and hid the equipment in the ceiling mezzanine, creating a quiet and simple atmosphere.
Although the materials used in the interior, such as sand, stone, black steel plate, and glass, are all black, the depth and texture have their own advantages, and they are quietly stretched like ink paintings in a quiet space. The optical glass in the center reflects a ripple-like shadow under the illumination of the light, like a pulsating candle flame, but also like sparkling water, bringing changes to the space.
-02-
Gion Kitagawa Hanbei
Located on the south side of Gion, Kitagawa Hanbei was the first branch of Kyoto Uji Matcha, and the selected old house has a history of more than 50 years. On the basis of the external limitations, the designers carried out seismic reinforcement of the ancient houses and rebuilt the roof. The interior design is based on the concept of "Matcha-Stir", with mixed glass tiles as the brand's identity.
The wood, earth, copper, bamboo and other materials used in the interior are all hand-processed by craftsmen and blend perfectly with their dark tones. In order to connect Kitagawa Hanbei with Uji, the production site, the designer placed a half-century-old tea box as a work of art in the space, and used ceramic plates and pendants ordered in Matsubayashi Toyotozai in the 16th century, lining the space with simplicity and charm.
-03-
Beauty Salons in Osaka
「SAMAN」
SAMAN is a barber who has been in the industry for 10 years looking for a shop that was bought after half a year, located next to a tree-lined park, so the designers took full advantage of the location and echoed this natural landscape. He added wood to the original iron and concrete structures, but the form still coincided with the original space.
The barbershop's floor is the highlight of the design, with polished materials reflecting the park's greenery and natural light indoors, connecting indoor and outdoor spaces for a special visual effect. Custom-made pleated curtains soften the light and create a quiet and laid-back atmosphere.
-04-
Beauty Salons in Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture
「Daily」
Born on Awaji Island, the client was a hairdresser, and after accumulating enough hairdressing experience in Kobe, he returned to Awaji Island and bought a nearly 80-year-old two-storey bungalow to turn it into his own barbershop. The designers removed the excess loft and replaced it with a 5-meter-high ceiling, and retained the original beams and columns, adding a bit of history.
Retained and new materials create a subtle sense of imbalance that gives the space a unique slack effect. The special furniture is fresh and soft, echoing the overall space, creating a warm and comfortable space atmosphere.