桝忠銘木店へのデザイン / DESIGN FOR MASUCHU
Year: 2018
Type: Research, proposal
Client: Masuchu / Masutada Meikiten Co., Ltd.
In collaboration with: Daisuke Sakamoto (JP)
Location: Nara, Japan
Organizer: Design Camp Okuyamato
Presented: Naramachi Centre, Nara, Japan
Photos: 廖品淨 Jing Liao, Daisuke Sakamoto
Masuchu is a family-run timber products manufacturer founded in 1972.
Located in Nara Okuyamato, an area that is blessed with mountains filled with
Yoshino cedar and cypress trees. For centuries forest has inspired new ways of
living, the abundance of wood in Yoshino forest has faced decreasing interest
as the market faces challenges of imported wood. In this project, Diaz was
paired with Daisuke Sakamoto, who is an architect to create proposals with a
fresh point of view and a new creative method for the future of Masuchu.
After extensive research, Diaz and Daisuke came up with a set of proposals.
When they visited the factory and observed the production process they
discovered new possibilities in the form of a visual language system; a set of
signage with distinctive colors for each machine and tool in the factory that
indicates its function, sequence, and priorities as uniforms that communicates
the level of proficiency of each staff. Thus, visitors and people who just
joined the company can immediately understand the production workflow in the
factory.
Furthermore, they are also interested to see how UMA (Unique Maker Assistant) concept can be a starting
point for Masuchu in order to have more impact in a larger context. It is pertinent
to respond to the increased number of home renovations and second-hand
properties. Not only keeping the cost down but also the way people realize
their space is more personal and immediate.
This phenomenon presents a unique opportunity to build a DIY center
where people who have a desire to use woodworking tools and equipment can
freely explore their ideas together. Therefore it allows Masuchu to create a
new market for wooden interior materials.
