The Hayashi Cabinet: A Design Experiment Exploring User Interaction and Natural Materials
Dynamic Furniture Design
There is something appealing and comforting about furniture design that does not adhere to complete rigidity. This does not mean the furniture roams around the room, but rather its ability to adapt, move, and change according to the user’s needs. In this context, the Hayashi cabinet, designed by Taishi Sugiura, stands as a clear example of merging functionality with poetic expression in design.
Inspiration and Materials
The word “Hayashi” means “forest” in Japanese, and the name clearly reflects the spirit of the design. Instead of traditional doors, Sugiura used actual branches of Japanese cypress trees to form the cabinet’s facade. These branches are not merely decorative elements; they are natural materials often neglected after forest management activities. Here, the design demonstrates the ability to transform what is typically considered waste into a functional and aesthetic element at the same time.
Intelligent Movement
What distinguishes the Hayashi cabinet is its ability to move and adapt. Each branch of the cabinet can slide left or right along the frame, allowing the user to customize the level of openness or privacy for the storage space. For example, if you want to display your collection of vintage records, you can move the branches apart. Conversely, if you wish to hide some clutter, the branches can be brought closer together. This movement is reminiscent of adjustable curtains, yet it feels more natural because it is made of wood.
The Japanese Philosophy Behind the Design
The philosophy of this design is rooted in traditional Japanese spatial concepts. Think of interior design elements like Shoji screens and sliding doors, which define spaces without strictly restricting movement. Sugiura translates the same idea to furniture, making it flexible and adaptable to the user’s changing needs. Some days, you may want to display items simply and neatly; on other days, you may need to conceal certain things. The Hayashi cabinet provides this freedom without imposing any limitations on your choices.
Natural Material Characteristics
The materials used in the Hayashi cabinet carry their own story. The Japanese cypress branches feature tight grain and unique natural curves, which are rare in conventional wood. This asymmetrical nature ensures that each cabinet is one of a kind, and you will never find two pieces that are exactly identical.
The Play of Light and Shadow
As light filters through the gaps between the branches throughout the day, shadows shift, creating a continuous visual movement. This elevates the piece beyond static furniture, giving it a sense of life that changes with light and time. Such subtle details encourage the user to engage with their furniture on a deeper level, highlighting the rarity and uniqueness of this design experience.
Designer Background and Methodology
Taishi Sugiura studied at Nagoya University of Arts, and his “material-first” approach is evident across all his work. Before designing the Hayashi cabinet, he created the Kintoun Kits, modular buildable sets that won the Silver Award from JID NEXTAGE. This cabinet reflects the same curiosity about user interaction with objects, but in a more domestic and practical context.
Individuality and Flexibility in Design
The Hayashi cabinet goes beyond being a mere aesthetic object; it adapts to the user and celebrates individuality. In an era dominated by ready-made storage solutions and standardized dimensions, this piece stands out as an homage to imperfection and nature. The branches are not perfectly straight, nor aligned in rigid rows; they breathe and move freely, reflecting a design philosophy that seamlessly integrates beauty and functionality.
Environmental Dimension of the Design
There is also an important environmental aspect to the Hayashi cabinet. The use of thinned cypress branches addresses a real issue in Japanese forests, where such materials are often neglected due to being difficult to process or of low economic value. By transforming them into design elements, Sugiura gives these branches a new life and purpose.
This approach reflects true sustainable design, not relying on marketing slogans but emerging naturally through smart choices in using natural materials, combining environmental responsibility with functional beauty.
Simplicity and Human Interaction
The beauty of the Hayashi cabinet lies in its humility and balanced design. Despite having numerous movable parts, Sugiura maintains the simplicity of the frame and the elegance of the lines, keeping the focus always on the natural cypress branches.
Moreover, since the user determines the degree of openness or closure of the facade, they indirectly participate in redesigning the piece each time. The Hayashi cabinet requires no batteries or Wi-Fi; all it takes is moving a few branches. This kind of simple, tangible interactive interior design ensures the furniture’s longevity and appeal, even after the trends of modern technology fade.
✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight
The Hayashi cabinet offers a clear experience of integrating user interaction and natural materials within a domestic space, which can be considered a subtle advantage in modern interior design. However, the branch-based approach may present practical challenges in daily use, such as maintenance difficulty, limited long-term durability, and material sensitivity to climate or humidity changes. Additionally, the asymmetrical nature of the branches means that each piece requires extra attention for arrangement and compatibility with other furniture, which may limit practical use in varied environments or smaller spaces.
From an architectural perspective, the project can be seen as a model for experimenting with physical interaction with furniture, though it is not necessarily a practical model for widespread application in multifunctional designs. Nevertheless, it provides a useful foundation for considering how to integrate flexibility, sustainable materials, and human interaction in future projects, especially in spaces aimed at enhancing the relationship between the user and physical elements.
★ ArchUp: Technical Analysis of Hayashi Wardrobe: Material, Motion, and Interaction
Analysis of Integrating Traditional Japanese Philosophy with Interactive Furniture:
This article provides a technical analysis of the Hayashi Wardrobe, designed by Taishi Sugiura, as a case study in integrating traditional Japanese philosophy with contemporary interactive furniture design.
1. Structural System: Dynamic Branches on a Simple Frame: The wardrobe is built on a simple frame fitted with real Japanese cypress branches (Chamaecyparis obtusa) with diameters of 2-4 cm. Each branch contains a mechanical channel, allowing it to slide horizontally. This enables users to adjust the spacing from a fully closed state (gaps ≤5 mm) to partially or fully open (gaps of 10-15 cm), providing dynamic control over privacy and display.
2. Material and Aesthetic System: Uniqueness from Neglected Resources: The project utilizes a neglected natural material—branches sourced from forest thinning operations. The unique grain and curvature of each branch make every piece one-of-a-kind. Natural light passing through the variable gaps creates a dynamic pattern of shadows that evolves throughout the day, adding a temporal layer to the design.
3. Functional Performance and Philosophy: Intentional, Electronics-Free Flexibility: The design achieves intelligent flexibility by translating the traditional principle of adjustable Shoji screens to the scale of furniture. Its completely electronics-free design (no batteries or Wi-Fi) ensures intuitive interaction and sustainability. This approach extends the product’s lifespan through adaptability and gives new value to forestry by-products, achieving both material and philosophical sustainability.
To explore another project focusing on a deep dialogue with natural materials and heritage in design, please review the technical analysis of:
Ushida Shouten Headquarters Project Reinterprets the Relationship Between Heritage and Contemporary Design
✅ Official ArchUp Technical Review completed for this article.