This is the story of how the Traveling KOPPA display furniture came to be. The main feature is that it can be carried around in a suitcase. We put it together ourselves, set it up, put it back in the suitcase, then travel together again. We don’t need to destroy it anymore. And we can fix it if it breaks. "We want to keep traveling with it for a very long time," says Nobu.
Nobu:
Display furniture is usually put together directly at the exhibition site and destroyed when the exhibition is done. I felt a sense of pride by being able to bring our display furniture to the location, put it together on site, then take it back home.
It was also interesting to see the reactions from other team members. When we brought it in a suitcase to the venue in Las Vegas, the US team members asked us if we brought it from Japan. They were really curious about it. They asked us questions like, if we assembled the pieces on our own and if we will take it back to Japan. Once I shared the story of the Travelling KOPPA, it became very clear to them. Without explaining it through the lens of the environment, the product already triggered such a fun and spontaneous conversation.
Rita:
They also asked me if we plan to take it back to Japan although it’s not our product.
Nobu:
It’s a new concept for the team to travel with display furniture, so we always get asked why we’re doing it.
Rita:
In the past, our products had been the focal point of our exhibitions. This year, however, focusing on experience and creating space became very important to us as well. Traveling KOPPA always added a positive addition and somehow fit right in with the venue and brought out the good in our products.
Nobu:
Every year, hundreds of customers visit our exhibition and many commented that it looks completely different this year. Hearing that was the best compliment we could get.
Continue to: 3. The beginning of KOPPA / The story of the Traveling KOPPA
Team KOPPA Profile
Tamotsu Ito
Architect/Principal of "tamotsu ito architecture office". He started KOPPA with the aim to work seamlessly across various dimensions and scales, such as urban projects, architecture, furniture, and interior design.
Moe Donaka
She’s the KOPPA team’s organizational lead and belongs to the "Arts & Crafts" design office.
Shota Nozaki
Carpenter/Artist. From interior design to art events, he has a knack for creating. Shota is also a representative of the architectural group "noma”.
Kazuaki Uemura
The owner of the bar “inspire” is a carpenter by day, and bartender by night.
Syu Ohki
Representative of the Institute of Life Engineering Design and is both a researcher of livelihood and a carpenter.
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