BENCH
From Custom Orders to Creative Innovation
Kyowakogyo Co., Ltd. manufactures rhombic wire mesh used in various settings, from familiar athletic field fences to heavy-duty rockfall prevention barriers. Their factory produces materials used everywhere from major public works to household applications. While fulfilling orders for various types of mesh as a material supplier, they are also actively developing new products using their own wire mesh. This reflects President Morinaga’s innovative approach to manufacturing, and this project builds on this proactive stance to develop new wire mesh applications.
Memories of Wire Mesh’s Warmth
The rhombic wire mesh at Kyowakogyo differs from typical cold, inorganic metal. The material is soft and flexible, with a touch and weight that somehow conveys warmth. These qualities connect to our foundational experiences—the feeling, sound, and give of touching wire mesh—like a memory from some time past. The “Net Bench” is a modular bench that lets people enjoy these analog sensations. It features a precise, sharp appearance combined with a soft, flexible seating surface that supports the body. Utilizing the manufacturing characteristics of rhombic wire mesh, it can be adjusted to any length, making it a versatile modular bench adaptable to various uses and settings.
Designer’s voice
At first meeting President Morinaga, I sensed a passion beneath his sincere and gentle manner of speaking. Working together revealed his extraordinary devotion to his work and manufacturing. He carries a self-made mesh bag and wears mesh accessories on his left hand, becoming a living advertisement for wire mesh through using his own products. Watching his enthusiasm for wire mesh proved infectious. I learned that Mr. Morinaga was the second-generation leader, having inherited the company from his father. Witnessing his exceptional determination and sense of responsibility toward what he had inherited made me truly grateful to be part of this project.
