Watanabe
Riki

JAPAN

		1911 Tokyo
After having graduated from the Woodcraft Department at Tokyo Higher School of Arts and Design (nowadays: Chiba University), he joined architect Bruno Taut's office in Gunma in 1936. In 1949, Watanabe established his own designing studio. He got famous by the low-cost String Chair in 1952. Watanabe's Torii Stool and Circular Center Table won the Gold Medal at Triennale di Milano in 1957. Besides interior and furniture design, Watanabe has also designed clocks and watches. His 1972 design, Hibiya Dai-Ichi Life Insurance Company's pole clock is defined as one of Watanabe's major works. Watanabe is considered to be one of the pioneers of after-war Japanese design.

METROCS
Metrocs is a brand line focusing on European and Japanese interior design masterpieces. All the products are produced in collaboration with the manufacturers.

FURNITURE [4]

TABLEWARE [1]

APPLIANCES [2]

ART [1]

Courtesy Metrocs

'Riki' Mobile

D E S I G N E R
Riki Watanabe

P R O D U C E R
Metrocs, Japan
1983

M A T E R I A L A N D D I M E N S I O N S
nylon + cedar of Akita
3 pieces: W.600 H345mm - 4 pieces: W.660 H.400mm - plate: W.480 D.13 H55mm

This mobile was originally designed for 'Miyama' a Japanese restaurant in Shinjuku Keio Plaza Hotel. The design depicts a shoal of fishes are swimming in the water, and we can feel Watanabe's playful mind from this products. For decorating living spaces, it was resized in the compact size using pure cedar that has very good sent and beautiful wood grain. There are 2 variations of 3 pieces and 4 pieces of the plate.

Courtesy Metrocs

'C.F.S. Kids Set'

D E S I G N E R
Riki Watanabe

P R O D U C E R
Metrocs, Japan
1965

M A T E R I A L
cardboard


The production of a cardboard table and set of two stools started from a project of making safe children's furniture. The cardboard is only folded and no adhesives are used. In 1967, CFS Kids Set won the Mainichi Design Prize. Metrocs has produced the series since 2006.

Courtesy Metrocs

'C.F.S.' Stool

D E S I G N E R
Riki Watanabe

P R O D U C E R
Metrocs, Japan
1965

M A T E R I A L
cardboard


The Carton Furniture Series is made of recyclable material, cardboard, which is also very durable. When the CFS Stool was launched, it was said that if an elephant stood on four stools, they would not break. The series has been in production since 2006.