2024 | Professional

French Design Awards Platinum Winner

KAJI GALLERY

Entrant Company

MAKHNO Studio

Category

Interior Design - Showroom / Exhibit

Client's Name

Country / Region

Japan

KAJI GALLERY by MAKHNO Studio is an exquisite art space located in the heart of ancient Kyoto, spanning 90 m² and blending traditional Japanese aesthetics with contemporary artistic expression. This project is more than just a gallery; it is a sensory experience where each element has been thoughtfully designed to surprise and inspire, reflecting the Japanese principles of naturalness, restraint, and the wabi-sabi philosophy. The gallery is home to unique antique finds, each presented in a context that evokes a sense of antiquity, preciousness, and deep cultural value.

As visitors enter the first floor, they are welcomed into a space where clay and wood dominate, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The walls are adorned with Mazanka, a technique that merges the traditions of Japan and Ukraine, Serhii Makhno’s homeland. The furnishings, handcrafted by MAKHNO Studio artisans, include robust PYL chairs and the intricate KVARTZ ceramic chair, both made from clay and designed to withstand the test of time. The lighting in the gallery is equally artistic, featuring the iconic KHMARA lamps and the elegant CHOVEN lamp, which blend seamlessly into the Japanese context, enhancing the tranquil ambiance.

The gallery’s second floor continues the fusion of tradition and modernity with exhibition corridors decorated with TETRAPOD ceramic 3D art tiles, a Red Dot award-winning design that adds a dynamic, futuristic touch to the space. The large lecture hall embodies perfect Japanese design, where ancient principles of shoin-zukuri are reinterpreted using natural materials such as wood, bamboo, ceramics, and paper. Throughout KAJI GALLERY, every detail has been carefully considered to create a harmonious environment that lives, breathes, and communicates with all who enter. This project is a true art experiment, a space that invites visitors to engage with the rich dialogue between past and present, tradition and innovation, just like a masterfully crafted chawan (tea bowl) that continues to influence and inspire through its subtle beauty.

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