ORI STOOL by Makoto Koizumi / Koizumi Studio — IDREIT®

Designed by Japanese furniture designer Makoto Koizumi of Koizumi Studio, the ORI stool—its flat timber surface folded like origami—has been a lasting classic for Miyazaki Chair Factory since its release in 2004. Koizumi’s collaboration with the Tokushima-based manufacturer began in 2000, when the company first embarked on building its own branded furniture collection, and the partnership continues to this day. Even now, Koizumi visits the factory roughly every two months.

When we asked about the key design moves behind the ORI stool, Koizumi explains:
“Although the form is a simple shape inspired by origami, I paid close attention to softening the corners of the seat. Sharp edges would compromise comfort, so I softened the seat’s edges to make it more pleasant to sit on. We also added a subtle curve on the inside where the seat meets the legs, to complement the chamfered edges of the seat.”

This beautifully shaped internal radius was, in fact, one of the most challenging aspects to manufacture. “Miyazaki Chair Factory and I had a shared motto—let’s do what only we can do. The idea began loosely from a conversation about how few good stools existed. Since there was no point in making something any manufacturer could easily replicate, we decided to tackle this challenging design,” he recalls.

To achieve the stool’s clean profile—with no braces or reinforcement visible even when turned upside down—the unseen joints were strengthened with three-dimensional mortise-and-tenon construction, allowing the piece to pass rigorous strength testing.

Makoto Koizumi of Koizumi Studio with the ORI stool in hand at Koizumi Doguten in Kunitachi, Tokyo　　photography: IDREIT

Because the seat is flat, the stool can also double as a small side table. It nests neatly against a wall, can be placed in multiples to read as a continuous surface, and helps shape the way people move and interact within a space—an approach that reflects Koizumi’s consideration for how people behave in interior environments.

Stackable, simple, and highly functional, the ORI stool is available in seven timber species, including beech, ash, zelkova, and walnut.