Geometry Stool by Koichi Futatsumata

The prototype of the Geometry Stool was designed by Koichi Futatsumata for the “Showcase” exhibition in Tokyo. The conceptual design is still worth a look. Its lasting beauty lies in how it blends overall symmetry with natural variation. The seat is composed of four wooden semicircles with negative space between them. In the center of each of the two gaps, there is a cylindrical copper tube. Mirrored vertically and horizontally, the design is perfectly balanced. But, there’s even more to the stool than that. Made of Japanese cypress, the legs and seat are polished and naturally finished so that they are smooth but show their unique wood grain and partial tree rings. The visual texture of the design is close but not quite identical on either side, creating visual interest and reminding onlookers of life’s complexity.