Solid Stool

A refined form combining different materials.

The "Solid Stool," designed by Riki Watanabe as a stool to be placed at the entrance, was part of the furniture design for the "House of the Mathematician" (1954, Meguro, Tokyo) by the renowned architect Kiyoshi Seike, who represents Japan. At that time, there were not many options for ready-made products, and almost all furniture was custom-made. This stool later gained attention in various fields, including being installed in the waiting room of a photography studio (Minato, Tokyo) and exhibited at the Modern Living Exhibition held at Takashimaya, but it was not commercialized at the time. It was not until 2005, half a century after its design, that it was reissued by Metrox. The solid wood seat and steel rod legs create a linear and refined form, reminiscent of Riki Watanabe's representative work, the "Tori Stool" (1957), which won the first Milan Triennale Gold Medal awarded to a Japanese designer. The slope of the seat, which characterizes this form, embodies Watanabe's intention that "it should be more comfortable to sit on than a flat seat." Additionally, a handhold hole designed for portability is incorporated between the two seat boards, showcasing meticulous attention to detail in its minimalist structural beauty.

Living and dining furniture