Nendo. Skilful playing with visual effects.

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Oki Sato’s creations are playful yet transformative. The name of his office translates as “modeling clay.” A master of simplicity, Oki Sato designs products like dreams—surreal in their beauty yet deeply intuitive and familiar. Playful, elegant and inspiring at once, Nendo’s creations have placed Oki Sato at the top of the international design scene.

Living room lamp in the form of a shower.

Water and light – an exciting combination

Nendo’s AXOR LampShower exemplifies surreal beauty. AXOR’s collaboration with the Japanese creative studio began in 2013 with the AXOR WaterDream, wherein Oki Sato designed his idea of the perfect shower.

The AXOR LampShower is a milestone in bathroom design. Nendo’s resulting design, was inspired by his dream of combining a living room lamp with the experience of showering. Elegant and ambitious yet effortless, the product creates a glorious cascade of water illuminated by a central ambient light.

Nendo. Skilful playing with visual effects.

Oki Sato. Creative brain behind the Japanese design studio Nendo. Born in 1977 in Toronto, Canada. After completing his degree in architecture, he established his Nendo studio in Tokyo. At just 25 years of age. This was followed three years later by an office in the European design metropolis of Milan.

Nendo’s client list reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of the furniture sector: Kartell, Cappellini, DePadova, Foscarini, Baccarat. Add to these famous international luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Lexus and Cartier. Clients for architectural projects and showroom concepts. Nendo now employs more than 30 people.

In 2012, Oki Sato was twice named “Designer of the Year”: by Elle Deco and Wallpaper. A coveted title, which he has also won several times subsequently. Find out more about Nendo: www.Nendo.jp

Puma House in Tokyo. Nendo designed an exciting showroom concept for the sports shoe manufacturer Puma. © Daici Ano

Farming-net lamp. Pendant lights designed by Nendo. Extravagant references to Japanese paper lamps.

Ribbon for Cappellini, 2007. A bar stool with a striking effect: the delicate ballet shoe ribbons are made of steel – not of fabric.

Scatter Shelf shelving system (Friedman Benda Gallery). The thin acrylic strips create unusual light reflections.

Metal benches Softer than steel. Developed in 2014 for the Italian designer furniture manufacturer Desalto. A successful optical illusion: the metal backrests appear to be soft and flexible.