KIGI means “multiple trees” in Japanese. As the name suggests, this object is a cube-shaped seating piece made by bundling together wooden sticks. It has been designed with simplicity and minimalism in mind. However, it is not just a straightforward design that simply preserves the natural character of wood. Instead, the form was carefully thought out with meaning and logic, leading to this specific shape.

The outer frame consists of 36 wooden sticks, while the 64 inner wooden pieces sink down due to the foam placed underneath them. This stool provides a comfortable seating experience that gives a sense of softness despite being made entirely of wood, without any fabric upholstery. Each wooden piece’s end grain enhances its character, and since the inner blocks can be removed, they can be rearranged, allowing for changes in the overall look. Different types of wood or colored blocks can also be swapped in, adding a playful element to the design.

The 64 inner wooden blocks are 2 ¾ inches in height, placed on a rubber sheet, which sits on top of a 1 ½-inch foam layer. This structure creates an empty space underneath, making the stool as lightweight as possible. The thickness of each of the 64 blocks has been reduced by approximately 0.5mm compared to the outer frame to ensure smooth movement up and down. Additionally, the design takes into account the natural expansion and contraction of the wood.

The sensation of the wooden blocks sinking under your weight is intriguing, and the tactile experience of the end grain is unique—firmer than a typical wooden surface, yet offering an unfamiliar and pleasant texture. Generally, in furniture design, wood end grain is rarely used as a surface material, except in certain pieces like log stools.

The inspiration for KIGI came from leftover wood scraps that accumulate during daily woodworking. Finding it wasteful to discard these pieces, I had long been exploring ways to repurpose them. While arranging uniform wooden blocks, I realized they resembled a cutting board. I wondered if I could transform that appearance into furniture. At that moment, I happened to have some leftover foam, so I placed the blocks on top of it—this was the initial spark of the idea. Over the past four years, through continuous refinement, I have arrived at this minimalist third iteration of the design.

The material used is solid white oak, finished with a soap treatment to preserve its natural color. Beyond being a single-person stool, KIGI can also take on various forms, such as a bench. By changing the colors of the blocks, it can resemble a chessboard or easily switch to different color schemes, adding a sense of playfulness. It is a seating piece that defies expectations, offering a surprising experience when sat upon.

This is a chair best understood not just by looking at it but by sitting on it and feeling it for yourself.