Traditional craft materials can be reinvented with digital technologies according to Kuma Lab co-director Toshiki Hirano, who has created a London Design Biennale installation exploring a new use for Japanese paper.
As Japan's contribution to the London Design Biennale, the Reinventing Textures installation combines traditional washi paper with photogrammetry and digital projection mapping, to explore the objects, sounds and surfaces on the streets of London and Tokyo.
Reinventing Textures combines traditional washi paper with photogrammetry and digital projection mapping
Hirano presents this project as an example of how architectural materials can be used in new ways when combined with digital scanning and fabrication tools.
"I see huge potential in combining the traditional with the digital, to come up with new kinds of aesthetics and designs in architecture," the Japanese architect told Dezeen. Toshiki Hirano believe this approach can lead to new possibilities in architecture
Although Hirano worked on this project solo, rather than as part of the Kuma Lab, it offers an insight into the type of work that he and co-director Seng Kuan have been exploring since taking over the lab from its founding director, Kengo Kuma, when he retired from the role last year.
Officially known as the Sekisui House Kuma Lab, this experimental facility at the University of Tokyo aims to push the boundaries of architecture and materials.
"We're setting up new fabrication facil...