When looking at chairs, whether to buy one or just to sit in one, I’m not particularly picky about design. If I’m buying, as long as it’s affordable and comfortable, I’m sold. If I’m just sitting down to rest or work, I’ll take whatever’s available (as long as it’s comfortable), without caring about its appearance or materials. Yet there are furniture designers who pour tremendous thought into their creations. Some stand out so distinctly that we can’t help but appreciate the intention behind their work.
The Hiroi Chair is a small, good-natured wooden chair designed by London studio Industrial Facility for Ishinomaki Laboratory and SCP. It’s a stunning example of how simplicity and functionality can come together to create a timeless piece of furniture. Built with square-cut boards, exposed fixings, and a single steel arc for back support, it’s the kind of chair you grab without thinking and end up keeping for years.
Designer: Industrial Facility
Industrial Facility’s design follows an honest brief: use common boards, keep cuts simple, and let the construction show. The result is a chair that feels sturdy yet light, with proportions that do the heavy lifting. Slightly wider than it is deep, the Hiroi sits planted without feeling bulky. A single steel tube curves gently at the back, providing just enough support where your shoulders need it before fading into the background. Materials vary by region, including Noto cypress in Japan, Douglas fir in the UK, and early versions in western red cedar, but the design remains consistent in its practicality and charm.
There’s a deeper story behind the Hiroi’s straightforward look. Ishinomaki Laboratory was founded after the 2011 earthquake to teach communities to build furniture using basic tools and off-the-shelf materials. The Hiroi embodies that spirit. You can buy it finished, which helps fund more workshops, or learn to make one yourself. The exposed screws and brackets aren’t just aesthetic. They make repairs easy and reveal how the chair comes together. Compact enough to tuck under counters, the Hiroi is ideal for small spaces, and the steel back doubles as a handle when you need to pull it out for unexpected guests.
Living with the Hiroi is effortless. You hear the soft scrape of wood as you move it, sit down, and forget it’s there until you stand again. The edges are smoothed where hands rest, the grain develops a quiet sheen over time, and small dings feel like part of its story rather than flaws. Whether in a kitchen, studio, or café, the Hiroi does its job without fuss. It’s steady, unassuming, and ready to blend into the rhythm of daily life.
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