Japanese designer So Koizumi has created Presence, a stainless steel bench for kuppography Takanawa Studio in Tokyo. The work combines art and utility, reflecting the studio’s idea of being “a museum where people take centre stage.”

Minimal Geometry and Emotional Impact

The bench combines straight and curved lines in a simple yet expressive form. Instead of using complex 3D modelling, Koizumi carved the design from a single cylindrical shape. This process produced smooth, natural curves that balance visual simplicity with efficient fabrication. As a result, the bench achieves harmony between sculptural beauty and practical production. It quietly inhabits the space, becoming both a seat and a spatial object.

Material Contrast: Cold Steel and Human Warmth

Made entirely from stainless steel, Presence explores the tension between material and body. The cold, rigid surface emphasises the warmth of the person sitting on it. This contrast invites a sensory experience that shifts how users perceive industrial materials. In this way, the design transforms a hard, reflective metal into an emotional medium that highlights human presence.

Design Philosophy and Context

Founded in 2021, SO KOIZUMI DESIGN works across interior, furniture, and object design. The studio begins each project with a reflection on material and structure, aiming to build new relationships between people and their surroundings. Completed in August 2025 and fabricated by Yoji Kitagawa, Presence expresses this philosophy through reduction and restraint.

For architects, interior designers, and product designers, the project offers inspiration on how minimal form and durable materials can evoke emotion. Moreover, it shows how recyclable metals like stainless steel can support sustainable and long-lasting design.

Source: SO KOIZUMI DESIGN
Photos: kuppography / SO KOIZUMI DESIGN