2026 On-site report
Working spaces need more than furniture
New product concepts encountered on the exhibition floor
When it comes to exhibits that demonstrate the possibilities of materials, KAWASHIMA SELKON shows off new approaches every year.
In 2026, the company presented a honeycomb-form textile material for screens and wall surfaces.
Textiles have traditionally been discussed in terms of upholstery, curtains and flooring. Here, however, they appeared as architectural materials capable of dividing spaces softly while influencing perceptions of light, sightlines and sound. Rather than separating areas with rigid walls, the light weight and shading of fabrics were used to create depth within a space. This approach was a good match for the increasing demand for flexibility and comfort in contemporary workplaces.
ARTE JAPAN’s booth was also intriguing in its way of reinterpreting materials. Known primarily as a specialist mirror company, the firm unveiled modern concrete furniture as a new business venture. The line was developed in collaboration with partners in Vietnam and prices were affordable. Designs were understated, consisting of simple small-scale furniture that would not dominate the surrounding space.
Although made from concrete, the pieces incorporate lightweight materials internally, making them easier to handle. What caught my attention was the way the company had reinterpreted the traditional characteristics of concrete – durability, weight and hardness – into advantages such as stability and suitability for outdoor use. As the boundaries between residential, office, public and outdoor spaces continue to blur, this type of material application is likely to become increasingly common.
Among the international brands, the Dutch company DeVorm commanded a strong presence. The company produces furniture that is sound-absorbing, lightweight, durable and soft to the touch using recycled PET materials. Its cocoon-style lounge chairs and stools, designed to reduce surrounding noise, feature modern design and enable concentration and a sense of personal space increasingly required in workplaces.
The booth, featuring a vivid yellow colour scheme, caught visitors’ attention from afar, with many younger visitors stopping to take a closer look. What stood out was the way sustainability was communicated not through serious descriptions, but through bright, light-hearted design. DeVorm was also awarded the Second Prize in the booth design awards.
The JIMBO booth was another display of the expanding scope of ORGATEC TOKYO. JIMBO is an electrical fittings manufacturer that has helped redefine the design of switches and power outlets in Japan, also popular in younger generations’ renovation projects. This time, it presented easy-to-use switches for commercial spaces and offices, with easy-to-appreciate design.
Switches and power outlets are not furniture, but they are important elements that people touch and see every day and that greatly affect the experience of actually using a space. The fact that electrical fittings manufacturers such as JIMBO are now moving into the public-space sector reinforced the sense that the scope of ORGATEC TOKYO has broadened considerably. The quality of the workplace is shaped not only by chairs and desks, but also by details such as these.