STUDENT CHALLENGE: FORBO X ZOKEI TOKYO UNIVERSITY

Designing with Furniture Linoleum

FORBO & TOKYO ZOKEI UNIVERSITY

In January of 2020, Forbo Flooring Systems connected with the Zokei University in Tokyo, to discuss a potential collaboration. Together with Professor Toshiaki Morita the project scope was discussed, in which Furniture Linoleum would be the starting point.

To approach this collaboration from a fresh angle, Toshiaki proposed to involve the FUTURE LIFE FACTORY, a studio in Panasonic’s Design Center specialized in cutting-edge development. They are always rethinking the question: what will living well mean in the future?

With two online seminars, one taken care of by FUTURE LIFE FACTORY by Panasonic design and one by Forbo Flooring, the project was officially a fact. Instead of focusing on the traditional application areas of Furniture Linoleum, a more out-of-the-box project was defined. Finally, a total of 9 students were divided into 5 teams, each working on different themes such as ‘kid toys’, ‘goods for the office’ and ‘daily goods for living alone’.

Via online Zoom meetings the students shared the progress of their designs, supporting each other in the development of their concept. Weekly and monthly meetings were set up with the tutors, FUTURE LIFE FACTORY by Panasonic design and Forbo Flooring, during which the students presented their ideas for input and feedback.

Student Challenge Zokei Tokyo | during production

Student Challenge Zokei Tokyo | Furniture linoleum

After the concepts were finalised, mock-ups were made based on instructions given by the students. To help realise this, Forbo Flooring provided them with all the Furniture Linoleum material they needed.

In March of 2021, the final prototypes were exhibited in Tokyo for one week, and five professional short films were produced to explain the projects. To see the different films, simply click on one of the corresponding tabs above.

LINOMAL/LINOCK

LINOMAL is a balance game that allows you to stack different animal shapes without breaking them. The combination of shapes causes the animals to make various sounds.

LINOCK combines the sound of nature with masonry play. As each stone is stacked, various natural sounds can be heard, such as the sound of waves, raindrops and birds singing, creating a relaxing moment.

The concept was created by Maruyama Mana, Jing Zhiyuan and Wang Zhenyu. Photographer: Hiroka Monden.

TOU

Partitions to create new visual effects

In the new era of work, we should not forget to focus on efficiency, while at the same time ensuring privacy. In addition, due to the influence of covid, it is essential to be able to open the space between people but also separate the spaces. This product is a partition used in offices and various workspaces, using linoleum with antibacterial properties.

The idea of this concept is to make a new visual experience, in which the sheets of partitions are drilled in a gradient shape and the sheer feeling changes depending on the overlap.

The concept was created by Li Linyi. Photographer: Hiroka Monden.

HOMiE

‎ASMR speaker for a comfortable private space ‎
‎
ASMR is a combination of special sound effects and directional speaker technology. In recent years, it is said that there are many people who live alone feel lonely or have insomnia. HoMiE provides a pleasant and relaxing effect, by playing the sound of insects, the sound of rain, and the sound of bonfires burning, depending on the time of day.

The concept was created by Lan Yunjie and Li Shiyi. Photographer: Hiroka Monden.

OTTOY

‎Playing with dominoes and sound
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Sounds can be heard from your smartphone or tablet when a domino falls. And by arranging them in a certain order, it is possible to create melodies. You can even play simple children's songs, depending on how they are arranged.

The concept was created by Kudo Soki. Photographer: Hiroka Monden.

SOJUN KUYAMA

Nature in every corner of the room
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‎A small furniture set to relieve the stress of living alone and create an experience that feels like nature, while being forced to stay home and have limited contact with outside.

When you step onto the circular carpet, the built-in sensor reacts, the sounds of nature flow along with the person's walk and a natural scenery spreads out in front of you.

The concept was created by Kong Shan Yuan Jian, Zhan Shuyao and Kang Xuyang. Photographer: Hiroka Monden.

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