SUMUFUMU TERRACE

Case Description

For the SUMUFUMU TERRACE project in Tokyo, Japan, all office and leisure furniture throughout the entire facility was custom-manufactured and supplied by our factory.

This space serves as a comprehensive lounge custom-designed for a residential development firm. Breaking away from the rigid conventions of traditional showroom displays, the design prioritizes diverse social interaction and a relaxing user experience. The core challenge faced by the client lay in the spiral arrangement of uniquely shaped window panels, which created irregular, fragmented spatial zones. Standardized, off-the-shelf furniture proved ill-suited to this fluid and flexible layout; moreover, overly bulky furnishings would obstruct natural light, thereby undermining the airy, open atmosphere created by the windows. Simultaneously, the space required the capacity to accommodate multiple functions—including light office work, casual client meetings, and gallery-style relaxation—necessitating furniture capable of adapting to variable layouts while balancing a Japanese minimalist aesthetic with the durability required for heavy public use. Traditional mass-produced furniture, with its singular functionality, simply could not meet the demands of a space requiring such flexible functional transitions.

To address these specific design and functional challenges, we integrated Japanese minimalist design principles with the unique structural geometry of the space to craft a comprehensive, custom-tailored furniture solution. Based on the staggered dimensions of the spiral window panels, we custom-designed a suite of lightweight, low-profile furniture pieces. By minimizing the visual bulk of the furniture, we ensured that neither natural light nor exterior views were obstructed. We selected soft, low-saturation finishes to harmonize with the space’s tranquil ambiance, while refining the furniture’s clean, minimalist lines to create a visual dialogue with the window partitions. Furthermore, the furniture’s tabletops and upholstered surfaces underwent specialized treatments to enhance breathability, stain resistance, and anti-aging properties. Having passed rigorous durability testing for wear and tear, the furniture is ideally suited for high-traffic leisure and reception environments. Utilizing a modular assembly structure, the pieces can be freely rearranged and reconfigured to adapt to the space’s ever-changing functional requirements, effectively softening rigid spatial boundaries. Throughout the manufacturing process, our craftsmanship adhered strictly to Japanese standards of precision and refinement, ensuring that the furniture remains both aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound for years of continuous use.

Upon final installation, the furniture seamlessly integrated into the flexibly partitioned spatial layout. Natural light remained unobstructed, and the open, comfortable atmosphere of the space was fully preserved. The modular furniture system now flexibly accommodates a diverse range of activities—from relaxation and light office work to gallery viewing and social interaction—while remaining simple and convenient to maintain on a daily basis. The client has fully endorsed the outcome of this custom project, affirming our expertise in adapting to irregular spatial configurations, preserving natural lighting, and facilitating multifunctional usage. We precisely echoed nendo’s concept of “variable design,” striking a balance between minimalist aesthetics and commercial-grade durability to create a high-end lounge and collaboration space for the enterprise—one characterized by a relaxed, airy atmosphere and diverse functionality.