3D Printed Furniture and Lighting Reimagined from Discarded Tatami Mats | Tatami Refab Project

FDT Bureau

At the Designart Tokyo event, the Japanese design collective Honoka showcased a remarkable collection of furniture and lighting crafted through 3D printing, using a material derived from discarded Tatami mats. The exhibition, titled the Tatami Refab Project, featured a diverse array of items, including lampshades, lighting fixtures, tables, stools, basins and plant holders. Know more about the collection on FURNITURE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (FDT).

Honoka developed this unique material by blending biodegradable resin with Igusa grass extracted from discarded Tatami mats, addressing the declining popularity of this traditional Japanese matting. The Igusa grass undergoes a process of cutting and grinding before being mixed with the biodegradable resin. The resulting mixture is transformed into pellets, which are then fed through a large-format 3D printer, creating a range of functional homewares and products.

Despite being entirely 3D printed, each piece exhibited a woven, lattice or knitted effect, reminiscent of traditional Japanese craft techniques. The colour palette ranged from beige and clear to green and lilac, with the semi-transparency imparting a dimensional quality dependent on how light filtered through.

The Tatami Refab Project not only breathed new life into discarded materials but also paid homage to Japanese craft traditions and the frond-like appearance of Igusa grass. Lighting designs featured in the exhibition included a basket-like lampshade, a horizontally hung bundle of sticks-shaped lighting piece and a sparse, nest-like lampshade with a matching stool. Other items included stools inspired by traditional Japanese saucers, a freestanding basin with a removable 3D-printed panel, and a lattice-like flower arrangement structure inspired by Japanese architecture. The entire collection proposed a sustainable approach to design, repurposing and reintroducing Tatami into modern life.

Image credit: Sota Kamagai, Megumi Kurokawa and Takaho Nagumo