GGO Biomorphic Oinarrizko Funtzioa: Harreragunearen Altzariak by Yoko Komatsu and Hajime Tokura

GGO Biomorphic Oinarrizko Funtzioa: Harreragunearen Altzariak by Yoko Komatsu and Hajime Tokura is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Urrezko Saria A' Design Award in Altzari Diseinua Competition Category.

UrreAltzariak· 2026

GGO Biomorphic Oinarrizko Funtzioa: Harreragunearen Altzariak

by Yoko Komatsu and Hajime Tokura

Client: Grand Green Osaka JV Group

Urrezko Saria A' Design Award Winner in Altzariak Category

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The Design

About GGO Biomorphic Oinarrizko Funtzioa: Harreragunearen Altzariak

Liburuaren Testua: Grand Green Osakan kokatuta, 16 metroko banku biomorfiko hau Japoniako haritzez landuta dago. Fabrikazio digital aurreratua erabiltzen da 6.000 pieza indibidual baino gehiago 29 unitate organikotan muntatzeko. Metalezko lokailu guztiak ezkutuko juntura sistema baten bidez ondo gordetzen dira. Altzari publiko eskultorial honetan, eskuzko artisautza tradizionala diseinu konputazional parametrikoarekin bat egiten da. Harreraguneko espazioan banku lasaigarri gisa eta landare-ontzi gisa funtzionatzeko diseinatuta dago.

The Recognition

About the Urrezko Saria A' Design Award

GGO Biomorphic Oinarrizko Funtzioa: Harreragunearen Altzariak Urrezko Saria A' Design Award irabazlea da, lehen mailako, zoragarriak eta nabarmenak diren diseinuei ematen zaien aitorpen izugarri prestijiotsua. Urre-mailako irabazleak berrikuntzaz beteriko, ikuspegi handiko eta distiraz liluragarriak diren sorkuntzak dira, beren diseinatzaileen genioa, jakituria eta trebetasuna islatzen dutenak. GGO Biomorphic Oinarrizko Funtzioa: Harreragunearen Altzariak oso goraipatua, joera-markatzailea eta monumentala den asmakizuna izatea espero da, balio aurrekaririk gabea eskaintzen duena. Urrezko Saria A' Design Award irabazi duen diseinu hau proiektu ikusgarri eta errespetatua da, artearen, zientziaren, diseinuaren eta teknologiaren mugak oso onuragarriro zabaltzen dituena. GGO Biomorphic Oinarrizko Funtzioa: Harreragunearen Altzariak desira-sentimendu biziak sortzen dituen, grina pizten duen, sormena bultzatzen duen eta liluratzen gaituen lana da.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: This 16-meter long furniture bridges the boundary between a static office lobby and a lush urban park. The design process fused analog and digital techniques: organic forms created by hand-molded clay models were 3D-scanned to capture vitality that computational design alone cannot produce. Crafted from 100 percent domestic Japanese oak using precision computer numerical control cutting, the structure conceals all metal joints, creating a seamless, life-like wooden landscape.
Dimensions & Packaging: Dimensions: Total Length 16,000 mm. The structure is composed of vertically laminated plywood panels utilizing domestic Japanese oak. It functions as both a large-scale public bench and a planter. The modular units were precision-cut in the factory and assembled on-site to achieve millimeter-level accuracy across the massive 16-meter span. The design adheres to strict safety standards.
Tags: Biomorphic Design, Public Furniture, Japanese Oak, Digital Fabrication, Parametric Design, Office Lobby, Wellness, Sustainable Design, Wood Craft, Bench
Production Technology: The project is constructed from 100 percent domestic Japanese oak laminated panels. To handle the high density of oak and prevent grain tear-out during computer numerical control fabrication, the engineering team developed custom cutting tools and parameters. A key innovation is the concealed joint system featuring rotating wooden rings to cover assembly bolts, ensuring a seamless pure wood aesthetic without visible metal parts. Over 6,000 intricately milled parts were hand-finished.
Design Challenge: The main challenge was translating the hand-molded clay's organic warmth into digital data. Initial 3D scans contained noise, making precise modeling of over 6,000 parts impossible. This was overcome by using parametric algorithms to extract and smooth cross-sections. Furthermore, to bypass the CNC milling risks of hard Japanese oak and ensure structural safety, rigorous full-scale prototyping was conducted, successfully fusing analog craftsmanship with advanced digital manufacturing.
Research: Research Objectives: To connect a static lobby with a dynamic park. Methodology and Data Collection: The project utilized an analog-to-digital translation. Clay models were hand-sculpted to verify comfort and volume, then 3D-scanned. Results: This captured organic irregularities lost in pure computation. Full-scale prototyping verified strict safety standards. Insights and Impacts: The project demonstrates how digital fabrication can preserve human touch using underused domestic hardwood.
Inspiration: Inspired by the unique context of Grand Green Osaka, where a vast urban park meets a sophisticated office tower, the goal was to bring the vitality of nature indoors and to bridge the boundary between the static lobby and the dynamic greenery outside. Inspiration was drawn from analog processes, using hand-molded clay models to capture organic warmth and complex undulations that computational design alone cannot produce, offering a moment of healing to busy office workers.
Project Duration: The project was completed in May 2025. It is installed at the Park Tower lobby, Grand Green Osaka, located at 5-54 Ofukacho, Kita-ku, Osaka, Japan.
Operation Flow: Designed for the lobby of a high-rise, this bench bridges the gap between the office environment and the adjacent park. Users can sit, recline, or wait, experiencing the warmth of wood. The floating organic form invites touch and offers a surprisingly soft seating experience, described by users as being embraced. It functions as a biophilic element that alleviates stress for office workers and visitors, providing a moment of tranquility.
Patents: Copyrights belong to KOKUYO Co., Ltd., 2025.
Team Members: Principal Designer: Yoko Komatsu
Project Director: Takashi Ueda
Technical Supervisor: Katsuhito Yui
Technical Supervisor: Mamoru Yamazaki
Assistant Designer: Hotaka Inagaki
Lead Architect: Hajime Tokura
Production Designer: Shimpei Ogawa
Engineer: Pyaezone Aungsoe
Fabricator: Yasufumi Hanada
Fabricator: Yoji Konishi
Fabricator: Kazuki Nagao
Image Credits: Image #1: Creator KOKUYO Co., Ltd., GGO Biomorphic, 2025.
Image #2: Photographer Hayato Kurobe, GGO Biomorphic, 2025.
Image #3: Photographer Hayato Kurobe, GGO Biomorphic, 2025.
Image #4: Photographer Hayato Kurobe, GGO Biomorphic, 2025.
Image #5: Creator KOKUYO Co., Ltd., GGO Biomorphic, 2025.