Our 4th interview is with Mr. Makoto Takei and Ms. Chie Nabeshima who both preside over the design office TNA. They handled the renovation design of KAMOI KAKOSHI's main factory in Kurashiki-shi, Okayama which holds the mt FACTORY TOUR every year. They have completed new facilities year by year, starting with the 3rd Glue Stirring Factory Museum, as well as the 2nd Manufacturing Factory Warehouse, the mt New Warehouse and the mt Cutting Building. mt lab OSAKA is also their work.

TNA Profile

AWARDS

2017

2A asia award　「KAMOI FACTORY」

2016

Record Houses　「HELIX HOUSE」

2015

Prize of AIJ for Design　「JOSHU TOMIOKA STATION」
BCS AWARDS　「JOSHU TOMIOKA STATION」
RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE PRIZE　 「GATE VILLA」

2014

Brunel Awards　「JOSHU TOMIOKA STATION」
JIA CHUGOKU Architecture Awards　「KAMOI MUSEUM」

2012

AR Award highly commended　「KAMOI MUSEUM」

2010

JIA New Architect Award　「FIGURED GLASS HOUSE」

2009

The 25th SHINKENCHIKU PRIZE　「FIGURED GLASS HOUSE」

2008

Wallpaper Design Awards　「RING HOUSE」

2007

Record Houses　「RING HOUSE」

1. How did you first encounter KAMOI?

A carefully used place where the spirit of craftsmanship dwells.

We first came across KAMOI after receiving a design request for creating a place that would somehow draw employees' attention to things that do not see the light of day, such as materials with old history.

I was really surprised that the work was not just about using old things, but about using them carefully. I was also creating a lot of architecture with artisans and because KAMOI KAKOSHI handles craftmanship similarly to artisans, who placed high value on things, I got the impression that important things are carefully used. (Ms. Nabeshima)

In the 1st floor ceiling of this Museum, around 8 ordered holes were open. The moment I saw this, I soon understood that masking tape making machines appeared from these spaces and thought if it were possible to make Museum that utilizes these holes.

There is nothing in those holes at this very moment but there was certainly something there decades ago, because machinery with KAMOI KAKOSHI's important heart was there. I wanted to somehow show the heart of craftmanship of that time, which cannot be seen or rather, I want it to be recalled. That is the image I had in mind when I designed it. (Mr. Takei)

2. What is important to you when designing?

An environment for making good products.
Like soil in which you grow delicious vegetables.

For example, when thinking about what you need when making delicious vegetables, you need superior seeds and a capable farmer that can grow them. Other important things are excellent soil, clean water and the sun.

So for example, I think it is the same with this factory.
To make wonderful products and manufactured goods, you need a good environment for creating, including materials and creators.

For KAMOI KAKOSHI, the factory is the environment where goods are finished. I think that space is important so we want there to be a pleasant place for people who are working there every time and I also want factory tour visitors to be pleasantly surprised. That is how I think about it. (Mr. Takei)

3. What do you expect from mt products in the future?

Meeting the needs of the times, a new culture starts with Japanese paper x new technology.

Industrial masking tape is now being used for mt, which is stationery.
I expect that from now on masking tape will somehow be connected with the needs of the times, and that new products will be created.

I think that perhaps it will become a new culture.
The reason is because it is made from Japanese paper.
I think that something new will be created if masking tape is combined with new technology in the future, and an environment for creating that is very important.
I think it would be great if we could assist in making the environment.
(Mr. Takei)