Porro’s Origata series, designed by New York–based Japanese designer Nao Tamura, is a striking exploration of cross-cultural design. Drawing on the traditional “zero-waste” cutting philosophy of kimono tailoring, Tamura has reimagined how a single material, in this case, aluminum can be transformed into sculptural yet functional furniture.
The collection, comprising benches and side tables, derives its name from the Japanese words ori (fold) and gata (shape). Much like a kimono crafted from a single piece of fabric through precise cutting and stitching, Origata employs one aluminum sheet, folded and assembled with discreet screws to create three-dimensional forms. The result is furniture that feels both rigorously minimal and quietly poetic, merging Japanese aesthetics with Italian modernism.
Since its debut, Origata has captured international recognition, winning the 2024 Archiproducts Design Award and Product of the Year. Jury members praised the collection for its “exceptional balance of creativity, sustainability, and cultural identity,” noting how the cold precision of metal is softened by folds that echo the fluid drape of fabric.
Porro’s creative director described the series as “not just furniture, but inhabitable sculpture,” highlighting its versatility. Whether placed in an entryway, beside a bed, or within a workspace, Origata seamlessly integrates into different environments, bringing with it a quiet sense of presence.
Beyond aesthetics, Origata advances an important conversation on sustainability. With a 98% material utilization rate, the collection embodies the principle of doing more with less: an ethos that resonates deeply in today’s design landscape. By channeling traditional craft wisdom into contemporary practice, Tamura demonstrates how cultural heritage can inform a forward-looking, ecologically conscious design language.
As morning light strikes the crisp folds of an Origata bench, shadows ripple across the aluminum like pleats of a kimono. It is in these fleeting intersections of culture, craft, and innovation that the true beauty of the series emerges. As Tamura herself notes, “Design should be like good translation: faithful to the original, but imbued with new rhythm.” Origata stands as a letter to contemporary living, inviting us to sense the breath of culture in the everyday.
Source: 77° Global Furnishings Media
