Keio University Graduate School of Media Design

projects 2024

SAKAE

Jiaqing Chen, Rosie Gibson, Yuki Iwama, Phyo Thaw Kaung, Hao Liu, Keisuke Minami, Henri Qian, Ni Sang, Gladys Yu

Wood has been an essential part of Japanese culture, from its use in traditional shrines and temples to everyday furniture and crafts. However, Japan's heavy reliance on imported wood has raised concerns about deforestation and environmental sustainability. Recognizing this challenge, Sakae aimed to find sustainable alternatives for the wood industry. Leveraging the principles of origami, Sakae designed stable structures from paper to support the growth of plant cells.Through experimentation with bamboo cells, Sakae refined its methodology, utilizing a gel medium and plant hormones to facilitate cell growth and lignification. The result was a promising concept for cultivating bamboo cells into desired shapes, offering customizable and unique furniture designs. Ultimately, Sakae envisions a future where lab-grown wood revolutionizes the furniture industry, reducing reliance on traditional timber and mitigating deforestation. By prioritizing sustainability and innovation, Sakae aims to lead the way towards a more carbon-neutral world, where furniture production aligns with environmental preservation for future generations.

Matthew Waldman is best known as the founder of NOOKA – the lifestyle design brand brought the revolution of interface design to physical products and created unique timepieces that reinterpreted how time was told. Before NOOKA, Matthew gained recognition as a pioneer in digital interactive and UX design, founding New York Zoom in 1997, building an award winning global team at Reuters in 2002, and with his interactive design studios creates narrative driven design for brands. At KMD, Professor Waldman turns his focus to circular design with a focus on expanding the designer toolkit towards material science and bio-design.