These wooden benches will be exhibited at the Expo as a reminder of the community’s commitment toward the project. Even if it is just one bench, the pride of “Kokuyo in Quality” is non-negotiable. The company has been relentless in its production control and quality assurance and has repeatedly conducted rigorous testing to create “masterpiece benches.”

In terms of design, the team focused its expertise on creating a concept that would be accepted by local governments. Kozue Haba, who is in charge of the design for the bench of Shimanto Town in Kochi Prefecture, initially thought of a simple and circular shape that could be used freely like an engawa (veranda). It was called the “engawa bench” within the company.

In anticipation of the holding of a workshop involving local residents, which was the main purpose of the project, a monument of a tree was placed in the center of the circle so that local residents could participate in the finishing work. From the 45-cm-high seat to the 135-cm-long tree, a “carved-out” design was adopted in order to produce a moderate “vibe of looseness.” The strength was calculated by repeating the trial production while considering the effect on the strength and the overall balance of the design.

Based on this bench, a workshop was held in Shimanto Town in November for students from Shimanto High School. In the process of making “charms” to decorate the tree, the images of “fairy pitta,” a bird of Shimanto Town, and others were designed and painted by students freely with their own ideas, creating a more colorful bench.

Kokuyo has been involved in a forest conservation activity called the “Yui-no-mori (Forest of Mutual Aid) Project” in cooperation with the forestry cooperative in the town since 2006. Haba is in charge of “yuimori,” a furniture brand that makes use of the forest resources. The benches to be produced this time are also made of Japanese cypress grown in this forest. “It was very difficult, but I could feel the expectation for the Expo,” Haba recalls. The rounded design combined with the gentleness of the tree made the bench an artwork that allows visitors to feel the winds of Shimanto.

The person in charge of the “landscape” type bench is Kentaro Tsurusaki. It was selected by Kawachinagano City and Shimanto Town. Kawachinagano City’s bench has the themes of “a water source rich in natural blessings produced by forests” and “the charm of roads with abundant greenery.” “Hoping that people who sit for the first time will get interested in the newly created bench,” he focused on making the bench symbolic and abstract at the same time. For example, the spread of the water pattern designed on the backrest reminds us of the blessing of water that leads to dams, waterfalls, and mountains. It was also difficult to color the water pattern. He finally found a “color taken from nature” that is neither blue nor green and has a depth. The design of the bench in Shimanto Town is derived from Shimanto River and a submerging bridge. The landscapes of the regions and around local governments with which they collaborate will be exhibited in the Expo in the form of benches, which is exciting. “It was a very fresh approach that dared to shift my own values in product design,” said Tsurusaki, who feels a success in the project.

Hiroshi Sakai, the team’s leader, said that the Co-Design Challenge has given him a fresh experience that he has never had before, and that he sees potential for the next step in Kokuyo’s furniture made of domestic lumber. The first step toward a new start has already been taken.