A new way of understanding workspace. Koto X Newartcentre - Workspace by Koto Design
19/07/2020.
[Salisbury] UK
metalocus, MARYAN RODRÍGUEZ BUERGO
metalocus, MARYAN RODRÍGUEZ BUERGO
The New Art Center art gallery had commissioned Koto Design Studio to create a sculptural cabin to commemorate the manifesto of Brancusi, an important Romanian sculptor, painter and photographer, considered a pioneer of modern art; "Architecture is inhabited sculpture".
For this first piece of a series, Koto Design drew on the surroundings of the gallery's sculpture park to imagine a space suitable for a remote and natural landscape. For this reason, the philosophy they follow is to break with the way of understanding the usual workspace.
For this first piece of a series, Koto Design drew on the surroundings of the gallery's sculpture park to imagine a space suitable for a remote and natural landscape. For this reason, the philosophy they follow is to break with the way of understanding the usual workspace.
Koto Work Cabin. Koto X Newartcentre - Workspace by Koto Design. Photograph by Edvinas Bruzas
Koto Work Cabin. Koto X Newartcentre - Workspace by Koto Design. Photograph by Edvinas Bruzas
Koto Work Cabin. Koto X Newartcentre - Workspace by Koto Design. Photograph by Edvinas Bruzas
Koto Work Cabin. Koto X Newartcentre - Workspace by Koto Design. Photograph by Edvinas Bruzas
Koto Work Cabin. Koto X Newartcentre - Workspace by Koto Design. Photograph by Edvinas Bruzas
Koto Work Cabin. Koto X Newartcentre - Workspace by Koto Design. Photograph by Edvinas Bruzas
Koto Work Cabin. Koto X Newartcentre - Workspace by Koto Design. Photograph by Edvinas Bruzas
Koto Work Cabin. Koto X Newartcentre - Workspace by Koto Design. Photograph by Edvinas Bruzas
Koto Work Cabin. Koto X Newartcentre - Workspace by Koto Design. Photograph by Edvinas Bruzas
Koto Work Cabin. Koto X Newartcentre - Workspace by Koto Design. Photograph by Edvinas Bruzas
Koto Work Cabin. Koto X Newartcentre - Workspace by Koto Design. Photograph by Edvinas Bruzas
The workspace, designed by Koto Design, is a manifestation of wabi-sabi design, finding beauty in imperfection. The cabin has an irregular geometry, imitating a diamond, referring to the sculptures in the gallery.
The light entering through the large sloping window is refracted inside the wooden sculpture at many angles giving a feeling of shelter and warmth. This window also provides views of the garden, for a greater connection with the outside.
The piece has a prefabricated design of charred wood, combining the Japanese and Scandinavian style of architecture.
The light entering through the large sloping window is refracted inside the wooden sculpture at many angles giving a feeling of shelter and warmth. This window also provides views of the garden, for a greater connection with the outside.
The piece has a prefabricated design of charred wood, combining the Japanese and Scandinavian style of architecture.
Project description by Koto Design
“We want to disrupt how we see the conventional work office and have created a truly inspiring space that enhances the landscape giving people privacy with direct access to nature.”
Zoe Little. Founding partner at Koto.
Koto has created the first in a series of modular cabins that serve as places of deep work and mediation, contemplative rooms and immersive spaces to connect with the surrounding nature. Each of these upcoming designs will be available both on and off the grid and at various sizes and price points to allow a range of products to hit the market.
This first released structure, in partnership with the New Art Centre assumes an elegant and functional sculptural geometric form with large glazing that frames views of the garden. An all timber construction, the structure is entirely natural and carbon neutral. To accomplish the distinctive geometric form took many hours of meticulous detailing, working closely with Koto’s fabricators.
“Brancusi stated that “Architecture is Inhabited Sculpture”; to honour and celebrate this thinking the New Art Centre commissioned Koto to design a sculptural cabin. The cabin acts as a functional piece of fine art and sits comfortably next to sculptures by Richard Deacon and Michael Craig Martin at the New Art Centre Sculpture Park. Kotos’ inaugural piece sensitively pairs the outside surroundings with a multifunctional space that can be used by all. This limited edition work perfectly encapsulates Brancusi’s sentiment.”
Lewis Dalton Gilbert. Creative Director @New Art Centre.
As a reflection of the partnership with New Art Centre, this first space draws inspiration from the sculpture gardens and the New Art Centre and is imagined as an inhabitable space within the setting of the landscape and the surrounding works of art.
The charred timber exterior draws from our Japanese design influence and the ancient Japanese philosophy Wabi Sabi, focused on accepting the transient nature of life and the beauty in imperfection.
“Wabi-sabi is the perfect remedy to today’s hectic pace and obsession with perfectionism. Inside the wooden sculpture, light is refracted from many angles of the structure to evoke a sense of shelter and warmth.”
Theo Dales. Founding partner at Koto.
More information
Architects
Project team
Zoe Little, Theo Dales.
Collaborators
Creative Director.- Lewis Dalton Gilbert.
Photography
Zoe Little, Johnathon Little, Theo Dales. Koto Design
Koto Design is studio based in UK co-founded by Zoe Little, Johnathon Little and Theo Dales. They are dedicated to designing modular houses, cabins and sculptural small buildings, inspirated in Scandinavian design and culture.
Koto began looking further east to the minimalist world of Japanese design and their focus on social functionality. They share their emphasis on clean and simple details that provide a sense of calm.
Koto began looking further east to the minimalist world of Japanese design and their focus on social functionality. They share their emphasis on clean and simple details that provide a sense of calm.
