Ishinomaki Laboratory: An Experiment in DIY and Design

At a time when environmental awareness is becoming increasingly important, the post-disaster and DIY-oriented philosophy of Ishinomaki Laboratory reflects the changing paradigms in furniture design today.

Ishinomaki Laboratory was born in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. Initiated by the architect Keiji Ashizawa, it was originally thought as a community workshop intended to assist residents affected by the disaster rebuilding furniture from the materials at hand. Along with running DIY workshops, Ishinomaki Laboratory also participated in restoring local shops and the relevance and appeal of these well-designed yet low-tech products quickly resonated with people around the world.

Today, Ishinomaki Laboratory has established itself as a prominent figure in contemporary design, some pieces being considered as classics of contemporary Japanese design. This book marks 10 years of prolific activities, providing an insight into the history of the brand, the products and many collaborations with established designers and partners worldwide that are giving shape to this ongoing experiment. Above all, it provides a tangible demonstration of possible solutions for rethinking furniture design from environmental imperatives.