Inoda + Sveje

Internationally acclaimed designers of the DC09 chair, Kyoko Inoda and Nils Sveje effortlessly combine the timeless appeal of Scandinavian design with the innovative functionality of Japanese furniture. Since founding their design practice in 2000, the duo has gone on to design pieces that transcend the fields of furniture and innovative design concepts.

Great Dane sits down with long-time friends and collaborators, Kyoko + Nils to discuss the harmony and humanity behind Inoda + Sveje.

We have a strictly description-based conceptual phase, by this, we talk through the concept by describing its values in words, and only when we sense a firm and common grip of the intended values do we start putting it on paper, this process helps us create a strong base for the design and detailing.

We are inspired by the construction process and the way a master craftsman interacts with his or her material and tools. What we find most interesting is how craftsmen work differently using the same material and we wish to design each piece to the specific context and craftsperson making it.

The curves of the DC09 are to mimic nature, like trees bending under heavy snow. This kind of instruction can only be realised by finding the perfect manufacturer, in this case only rural Japanese makers, Miyazaki would do.

Miyazaki is a carpenter like no other in this world and the original idea was to make contemporary furniture that would use the best of Miyazaki’s skills. It was designed to be a chair that you could not make without contemporary tools such as CNC machines, but neither without the knowledge of traditional carpentry. Initially, the chair was more conventional than the final result, but we kept pushing each other, and the result you already know.

We interpret minimalism in the way natural systems behave to hone the world around us…and not as simple straight lines – think of it like the way sand is deposited in the desert. This is our design language and we wish for our pieces to have ingredients of familiarity and comfort. Naturally, it is also of great importance that our furniture is ergonomically correct and organic shapes are helpful in that regard.

Great Dane has chosen to represent us and we feel very privileged for this, from the very start Anton was very positive and engaging and we are happy to contribute whenever possible, as it all feels like one big family.

It was first of all very energizing to meet the extremely positive team and get direct feedback on everyone’s experiences with our furniture – a very important ingredient for us in future works. We enjoyed staying in the Great Dane Apartment which felt like being blessed with the king’s castle. There was a wonderful joy in everything they do and a sense of being part of one big family.