S.O.Y. LABO: Elastic Folding Structures

14 May 2007 Category: Arts & Crafts, Events & Exhibitions, Japan, Products

S.O.Y. LABO: Elastic Folding Structures

S.O.Y. LABO's "EFoS", for "Elastic Folding Structure", was just shown at Tokyo Design Premio in Milan - it transforms traditional Japanese wood latticework into modern design.

Fresh out of the oven we present you a highlight of this year’s Tokyo Design Premio in Milan: a couple of weeks ago there weren’t only the usual famous suspects showcased, such as star architect Toyo Ito or new techie tools from the likes of Fujitsu. The Premio also featured some new recipes from young aspiring designers. PingMag went overseas and found a delicious one that specialises in architecture and environmental research: Yuichi-ro Yamanaka of Tokyo-based S.O.Y. LABO talks about his latest gadget, a clever multifunctional shelf called EFoS.

Written by Jacqueline Felber


In sunny Milan: Tokyo-based Yuichi-ro Yamanaka of S.O.Y. LABO.

Let’s start simple: how did you come into the fields of architecture and design?

I studied at the Architectural Association in London after which I took an around-the-world trip. I went to art university with a lifelong interest in design as a whole, design as the creation of solids but also and particularly of space. For me, the observation of nature is a fundamental process in design, from looking at minerals to watching intriguing forms of life or the play of soil with water. I found that quite inspiring.

So nature is one of your influences?

Yes. Growing up on the countryside, I have always been interested in the multiple designs of nature. This enabled me with a keen sense of observation of natural forms and phenomena, be it insects, or just the rich experience of nature. Also, it has led me to think more deeply about three-dimensional environments.


The wooden structure of the “EFoS”, standing for “Elastic Folding Structure”, plays with light thus creating moiré effects for more spatial depth.

Does your interest in nature also reflect in your use of materials?

I have worked with organic materials because of their authenticity and the simplicity of technologies by which they are produced. I design simple systems which are able to create complex phenomena when the human factor is added to it, such as moiré.

What does that mean regarding your sophisticated all-in-one shelf-sheath-paravant called EFoS you presented in Milan?

First, EFoS stands for “Elastic Folding Structure”. It is built around the simplest materials connected by hinges, and is bent to the rules of elasticity and folding. Wood latticework, one of the traditional elements of Japanese architecture, reaches a delicate relationship between light and shadow. By intersecting layers of lattices in various angles, EFoS creates a visual phenomenon known as moiré. Even more, this creates spatial depth and complex effects by the tremors of light and movement around the structure.


Multifunctional abilities: use it as a lamp sheath, a paravant,…

… or as a book shelf. To sit on it might be not one of its most comfortable functions though.

That was poetically put, thanks! And sounds a bit theoretical though…

Design is about reality, and the process of designing has inevitable considerations: whether it is the culture, environment or background around which the design is to be carried out.

Indeed. Then what is innovation to you? How far is design linked to technology?

For me it is not about technology, a designed object or a process in itself. It is about the complexity that can be created in a space. Design is about creating phenomena which tie humans to a space and its objects.


“EFoS”: transforming traditional wood latticework to nowadays home use.

Obviously your work doesn’t only connect one only with space. Also, you seem to tie the past with the future with the use of traditional Japanese wood materials and the innovative way you work with them…

Yes, exactly.

Then let’s look next at traditional Japanese culture in a broader frame: how do you feel about it in terms of globalisation?

The Japanese traditional culture made a great difference in the evolution of environments and general thinking on a global scale. It might still be interesting from a Western point of view, but has already been exploited since the Paris Expo back in 1867. And sometimes globalisation overexploits past concepts for its new agendas. I think that the global movement needs to recognise its various personalities and use it as a base to evaluate the value of things fairly and equally. I think Japanese design is being tested on these grounds now.


This shelf might look fragile…

… but its flexible structure allows at least to store books on it.

Okay… is that good or bad?

If it looses the sense of its original culture, it would be a menace. However for us designers with an understanding of our own individual cultures from a global viewpoint, globalisation can become an opportunity.

As you were at the Tokyo Design Premio in Milan, how did you regard the Japanese section compared to others?

In Milan, the Japanese culture was as a bat in a flock of birds.

Interesting! Lastly, I was wondering where do you see yourself globally 30 years from now?

Making someone happy, somewhere on earth. Design is a long-term project.

Lots of theory, some more new insights… Thank you, Yuichi-ro Yamanaka from S.O.Y. LABO, for this enriching conversation!

51 Comments

  1. I really love the intricate designs.

    Posted by: HDR Photography on May 14th, 2007 at 11:40 pm

  2. Yup me too!
    I don’t mind having one!

    Posted by: vaneea on May 15th, 2007 at 1:07 am

  3. [...] really digging on Yuichi-ro Yamanaka’s Elastic Folding Structures. wood, elegant and simple and probably rediculously expensive. ah, the irony. [via [...]

    Posted by: Quality Peoples » EFoS on May 15th, 2007 at 2:01 am

  4. The Shelf is amazing, i want one! Probably couldnt afford it though. The concept of space fascinates me! :)

    Posted by: Lana on May 15th, 2007 at 2:34 pm

  5. It does remind me of a dish drying rack and surely when the time comes for cleaning, it’s gonna take a little bit more effort.

    Posted by: Clara on May 15th, 2007 at 3:14 pm

  6. This is very nice, I hope to have it.
    Amazing…

    Posted by: Hussam Zain on May 16th, 2007 at 3:19 am

  7. i guess it is orite. i have seen it before in my neighbourhood provision shop.

    Posted by: deedee on May 16th, 2007 at 12:51 pm

  8. [...] a starter, PingMag already served you some mouth-watering design bits from last month’s Tokyo Design Premio in Milan. But, of course, we won’t spare you the [...]

    Posted by: dérive » Blog Archive » Tokyo Design Premio: Premier Eye Candy on May 28th, 2007 at 8:17 pm

  9. I realy like the way the author write , is she is new here?
    great Job

    Posted by: Salvax on May 29th, 2007 at 11:52 am

  10. [...] a starter, PingMag already served you some mouth-wateringdesign bits from last month’s Tokyo Design Premio in Milan. But, of course, we won’t spare you the [...]

    Posted by: » Blog Archive » Tokyo Design Premio: Premier Eye Candy on June 29th, 2008 at 4:14 am

  11. a starter, PingMag already served you some mouth-watering design bits from last month’s Tokyo Design Premio in Milan. But, of course, we won’t spare you the

    Posted by: calmiva on March 17th, 2011 at 3:42 am

  12. I realy like the way the author write , is she is new here?
    great Job

    Posted by: altın çilek form seti on March 19th, 2011 at 12:08 am

  13. vThank you for bringing more information to this topic for me. I’m truly grateful and really impressed.
    dgag
    Interesting post. I have been wondering about this issue,so thanks for posting.

    Posted by: men watches online on May 23rd, 2011 at 10:45 am

  14. Hi i like your website i’m currently looking for products and information to put on my webpage and your site has set my mind at ease .

    Posted by: the best teeth whitener online on May 25th, 2011 at 8:01 am

  15. great source of information;thanks

    Posted by: find out if your having a boy or girl on May 30th, 2011 at 3:46 am

  16. A very resourcesfull page;great website.

    Posted by: ovulation calendar gender selection on May 30th, 2011 at 7:31 am

  17. I want to see the many development of this site.

    Posted by: innovative healthcare on June 15th, 2011 at 2:57 am

  18. I like your way of thinking. Personal development and its many forms are really close to my heart. I also believe in getting different points of view on this subject to really broaden my thinking.

    Posted by: personal development on June 16th, 2011 at 4:37 am

  19. Great info I’ll be back soon.

    Posted by: lose fat,lose weight on June 19th, 2011 at 10:10 am

  20. Your blog contains many interesting topics which I have enjoyed. It will be source of very important and interesting education for many years. What I was most interested in is how to get free traffic to my blogs with very little effort.

    Posted by: free website traffice on July 3rd, 2011 at 10:07 am

  21. are going to resign because of the phone hacking scandal!

    Posted by: Affiliate Marketing Reviews on July 20th, 2011 at 6:27 am

  22. ücretsiz site

    Posted by: goruntulu sohbet on July 22nd, 2011 at 3:01 am

  23. If u like soccer visit us!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted by: Soccer on July 22nd, 2011 at 3:43 am

  24. süper site buyrun

    Posted by: goruntulu sohbet on July 25th, 2011 at 11:27 pm

  25. I’m a giant fan of foreign exchange and finance so I find this topic very interesting. I never thought of it like that.

    Posted by: Skinny Guy Muscle on August 21st, 2011 at 9:05 am

  26. Your post is really good Cure ringworm naturally

    Posted by: White spots on skin on September 13th, 2011 at 3:13 am

  27. here you have 125.000 visitors free with Mighty Solos

    Posted by: Get 125.000 visitors Free with Mighty Solos on September 27th, 2011 at 2:41 am

  28. I really would like to learn more information about your business, what is it and why is it important.

    Posted by: Perfect Pitch Recognition on October 11th, 2011 at 2:34 am

  29. 15000+ Jobs across India for Oct Upload Resume.Apply to Infosys Now!

    Posted by: Government-Jobs on October 19th, 2011 at 9:31 pm

  30. Good Aritcle

    Posted by: All Failure on October 21st, 2011 at 1:36 am

  31. very good. thank you

    Posted by: smycken online on November 9th, 2011 at 1:54 am

  32. Very Nice! makes me remind the coloured performance of the early pink floyd!

    Posted by: christian louboutin on November 10th, 2011 at 12:17 am

  33. Your business sounds interesting. Why is it important to the industry?

    Posted by: See Clear Without Glasses on November 10th, 2011 at 10:23 am

  34. xristougenniatika dentra,xristougenniatika stolidia,

    Posted by: χριστουγεννιατικα ειδη on November 11th, 2011 at 9:26 pm

  35. Reviews & Best Buy Online ON Black Friday Sales 2011 For Black Friday iPad 2

    Posted by: Black Friday iPad 2 on November 12th, 2011 at 7:30 pm

  36. Wowww it’s nice, thank you

    Posted by: SX320HS Black friday on November 13th, 2011 at 3:49 pm

  37. Collecting figurines has become more popular lately and many people are turning to the internet to locate them.

    Posted by: Figurines on November 21st, 2011 at 4:41 pm

  38. Your blog is great, thanks for sharing

    Posted by: gazeteler on November 21st, 2011 at 9:25 pm

  39. Thanks for the interesting post. I swear, you learn something new every day.

    Posted by: professional bra fitting on November 23rd, 2011 at 1:40 am

  40. I have been surfing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be a lot more useful than ever before.

    Posted by: Odziez Ciazowa Allegro on November 27th, 2011 at 1:59 am

  41. Check out our Cyber Monday deals on everything from cell phones with service to no-contract phones, unlocked phones, Bluetooth headsets, cases, chargers, and more

    Posted by: technology on November 28th, 2011 at 3:55 pm

  42. Timex Ironman Watch Bands

    Posted by: Watches Timex on November 30th, 2011 at 6:22 pm

  43. Partaji Admin

    Posted by: Partaji.com - share the info ... on December 2nd, 2011 at 1:02 pm

  44. Travel Trips has been succesfully catering to travellers across the globe with its well established and secured Global Hotel Reservation System. Our 24X7 customer care support is there all along to help people with their hotel reservations, cancellations and other related issues. Featured are some interesting testimonials from our valued customers vouching for the credibility of Travel Trips.

    Posted by: Travel Trips on December 6th, 2011 at 3:03 am

  45. Thank you so much for this content, Im so lucky and glad that I found this website, Please keep this website going and I will keep

    Posted by: The Visayas on December 10th, 2011 at 3:40 am

  46. One of the informative article I have ever seen. Thanks for the update.

    Posted by: awesome recipes on December 11th, 2011 at 11:41 pm

  47. Lorèm Ipsum dolor chita ame, anile reply. Ou tanpri e-dèy. Nou toujou, tankou plis plis plis isit la lide sou ide li yo, pa Teyorèm ou an oswa pi plis. Posted pous

    Posted by: buy cheap vacuum cleaners online on December 28th, 2011 at 1:57 am

  48. Hey this is awesome blogs. Keep posted usefull information. Thank you

    Posted by: roll up awnings on January 5th, 2012 at 6:48 pm

  49. Thank you. O like this post. I would like to share at my facebook account.

    Posted by: zayifla on January 11th, 2012 at 7:33 am

  50. Find here the best, the Top Recreation and Home Business: the best services, free and paid programs, best recreation websites, best shopping and marketplace, traffic and marketing free websites.

    Posted by: Recreation and Business on January 12th, 2012 at 6:10 am

  51. Thanks for this post. It is very useful.

    Posted by: Biggfirma on January 26th, 2012 at 12:21 am

  • Share and Enjoy:
  • del.icio.us
  • digg
  • Fark
  • NewsVine
  • RawSugar
  • Reddit
  • YahooMyWeb
Previously on PingMag