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GGO Biomorphic Primêre Funksje: Lobbymeubilêr by Yoko Komatsu and Hajime Tokura

GGO Biomorphic Primêre Funksje: Lobbymeubilêr by Yoko Komatsu and Hajime Tokura is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award yn Goud in Meubelûntwerp Competition Category.


GoudMeubels· 2026

GGO Biomorphic Primêre Funksje: Lobbymeubilêr

by Yoko Komatsu and Hajime Tokura

Client: Grand Green Osaka JV Group

A' Design Award yn Goud Winner in Meubels Category

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Verified Award Winner

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The Design

About GGO Biomorphic Primêre Funksje: Lobbymeubilêr

Bektekst: Dizze 16-meter lange biomorfe bank, dy't yn Grand Green Osaka stiet, is makke fan Japansk iken. Avansearre digitale fabrikaazje wurdt brûkt om mear as 6.000 losse dielen gear te stallen ta 29 organyske ienheden. Alle metalen befestigingen wurde mei súkses ferburgen troch in ferstoppe ferbiningssysteem. Yn dit skulptuerale iepenbiere meubilêr wurdt tradisjoneel hânwurk gearfoege mei parametrysk komputasjoneel ûntwerp. It is ûntwurpen om sawol as in ûntspannende bank as in plantebak yn 'e lobbyromte te funksjonearjen.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award yn Goud

GGO Biomorphic Primêre Funksje: Lobbymeubilêr is in winner fan de A' Design Award yn Goud, in ekstreem prestisjeuze erkenning foar earste-klas, prachtige en treflike ûntwerpen. Goudwinners binne tige ynnovative, fisionêre en glamoureus ferbjusterjende skeppings dy't it sjeny, de wiisheid en de feardigens fan har ûntwerpers wjerspegelje. Fan GGO Biomorphic Primêre Funksje: Lobbymeubilêr wurdt ferwachte dat it in tige priizge, trendsettende en monumintale útfining is dy't unferlykbere wearde leveret. Dit winnende ûntwerp fan de A' Design Award yn Goud is in spektakulêr, respektearre projekt dat grutte foardielen bringt en de grinzen fan keunst, wittenskip, ûntwerp en technology ferleget. GGO Biomorphic Primêre Funksje: Lobbymeubilêr makket yntinse gefoelens fan begearte, stekt passy oan, stimulearret kreativiteit en fassinearret ús.

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.

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