plush long-pile textile wraps tubular yellow steel bench

observation becomes a design method for KIBEKOUMUTEN bench

Observation.01 is a furniture project by KIBEKOUMUTEN Inc., led by designer Masahiro Kibe, that investigates how material behavior can inform design decisions. Developed around Kvadrat Argo 2, a long-pile textile, the project examines the relationship between material, structure, and form through an iterative process of observation rather than predetermined outcomes.

The project began with the characteristics of Kvadrat Argo 2 and a question about the role of material in the design process. Instead of applying the textile to an existing object, the design evolved through a series of full-scale mock-ups that examined the fabric’s behavior at edges, corners, surfaces, and points of contact with the body. Observations made during these studies informed subsequent decisions regarding proportion, structure, color, and detailing.

all images courtesy of KIBEKOUMUTEN Inc.

tubular steel structure supports a long-pile textile bench seat

The resulting bench combines a powder-coated steel frame with a seat upholstered in Kvadrat Argo 2. A simple tubular structure with curved members provides support while allowing the textile to remain the defining visual and tactile element. Structural configuration, dimensions, and finishes were refined throughout the development process in response to the material’s performance rather than fixed design intentions.

Observation.01 by KIBEKOUMUTEN Inc. and designer Masahiro Kibe documents a sequence of design judgments shaped by repeated encounters with material. Rather than presenting a final or definitive solution, the project records an ongoing process in which form emerges through testing, interpretation, and adjustment. It forms part of a broader research series by KIBEKOUMUTEN Inc. exploring observation as a design method and the role of material in generating architectural and product design outcomes.

a bench developed through material observation