SUPER RAT design studio fuses traditional Japanese materials with sustainable modern design
SUPER RAT is a Tokyo-based design studio founded in 2024 by designer Kazuki Nagasawa. Specializing in interior, furniture, and product design, the studio is distinguished by its deep-rooted commitment to material exploration, cultural preservation, and environmentally responsible craftsmanship.
After graduating from Kuwasawa Design School and honing his skills at notable firms such as Super Potato Co., Ltd., Nagasawa launched SUPER RAT with a vision to create designs that bridge past and future while honoring the intrinsic qualities of natural materials.
The studio’s philosophy centers on uncovering the full potential of materials through a lens grounded in local tradition and modern sensibility. Every creation by SUPER RAT reflects an intimate dialogue with Japanese heritage and an awareness of shifting cultural landscapes.
In a time when aspects of Japan’s historical identity risk being overshadowed by globalized modernity, the studio seeks to protect and reinterpret these values for contemporary living. This ethos is embodied in the JUHI SERIES—a collection of works developed between 2024 and 2025 that reimagines ancient techniques and sustainable resources in a modern context.
A hallmark of the JUHI SERIES is the innovative use of Trachycarpus fortunei bark, a fibrous plant material historically valued in Japan as an eco-friendly alternative to synthetics like nylon and vinyl. Known for its strength, flexibility, and tactile richness, the bark has long been used in crafts such as broom-making.
SUPER RAT repurposes this material by integrating it with natural dyeing techniques, including the use of persimmon tannin and an iron mordant solution derived from discarded metal scraps. These methods, inherited from ancient traditions, allow the studio to create objects that are both environmentally conscious and visually poetic, with colors and textures that reflect the surrounding landscape.
In the UTSUWA series, vessels made from this bark achieve a delicate balance between softness and strength, offering translucency and depth rarely seen in industrial materials. The KOMORE pendant light reinterprets lighting through this lens, transforming a humble natural fiber into a glowing, textural centerpiece.
The spherical shade allows warm light to pass through its layered bark structure, producing a subtle, atmospheric effect. The use of thick, discarded bark for the socket and a fastening technique rooted in traditional broom-making further highlights the studio’s dedication to authentic craftsmanship.
The MA divider showcases the bark’s structural potential. Once processed and hardened with natural tannin, it is encased in a sleek ABS resin frame with magnetic joints, enabling flexible arrangement and control over light permeability. Combining traditional materials with modern engineering, the piece illustrates SUPER RAT’s pursuit of timeless design that evolves with its environment while staying true to cultural roots.
Through its thoughtful use of heritage materials and sustainable techniques, SUPER RAT not only creates beautiful, functional objects but also contributes to regional revitalization and cultural continuity. The studio’s work speaks to a future where design is deeply connected to history, nature, and the human hand—offering a powerful model for responsible innovation.
All images courtesy of Kazuki Nagasawa
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