Inspired by a traditional and popular Japanese candy, Kintaro Ame, roughly translating to the “sweet of a fairytale hero,” Japanese duo Drill Design developed an adaptation on laminated wood veneer. Interspersed with alternating layers of colored paper, the otherwise traditional material transforms into a strong, striking and environmentally-friendly solution for furniture. Drill Design utilizes the material for their collection of products ranging from simple stools to toys for tots.

Stools. Manufactured by Drill Design.

Unveiled at the Milan Furniture Fair in April, the striped stools are lightweight and sturdy, a contemporary and eco-friendly introduction to any space.  As Inhabitat explains, the stools break the mold, “moving away from the one size fits all paradigm.” Available in a variety of seat heights, they can function anywhere from a toddler’s playroom to adult’s playground: the bar. The layered material structure is composed of 40% recycled material: sophisticated and modern with monotone edges in shades of green or orange, or playful with candy striped sides.  Curved edges exploit and further expose the striping pattern created by the material’s alternating layers.  The stool’s seat, in the shape of a doughnut, reveals the patterning from above and creates a potentially more comfortable form. 

The flat, seemingly two-dimensional components lock together to erect the three-dimensional form and conversely unhook to pack flat.  Ecosystems Brand, a Brooklyn-based furniture designer, uses similar construction methods to minimize the size of the package and the packing material necessary for shipping.  Their Bamba chair is assembled via metal brackets as opposed to Drill Design’s methods of locking together components.  Regardless, both brands and methods are contributing to a sustainable future. Given the candy-inspired design, it seems fitting to have toy cars and trucks as a part of Drill-Design’s collection.  Sophisticated enough for adults and entertaining enough for kids, these pieces are a great new solution to the inevitable gift-giving dilemmas in our futures.