The Za Smallstool, designed by Naoto Fukasawa for Emeco, is a simple and timeless piece, handcrafted in Pennsylvania from 80% recycled aluminum. This pre-owned model features a clean, functional design that reflects the brand’s commitment to quality and longevity. Its name, meaning “a place to sit” in Japanese, highlights its versatility, perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. Lightweight, durable, and guaranteed for life, the Za Small embodies Emeco’s craftsmanship and sustainable values.
Born in 1956 in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, Naoto Fukasawa studied art and 3D design at Tama Art University in Tokyo. Until 1988, he worked as a designer at Seiko-Epson, then at ID-two in San Francisco. Returning to Japan in 1996, he established IDEO, before founding his own agency, Naoto Fukasawa Design, in Tokyo in 2003. Since 2001, when he was also a consultant at MUJI, he has been working on household products and electronic appliances. He created the Plusminuszero (±0) brand (whose fan is available on the eshop) to market household objects. Naoto Fukasawa works for various companies in Europe and Japanese industries specialising in leisure electronics. In collaboration with Jasper Morrison, he created the sensational "Super Normal" exhibition. He works with major international furniture and accessories brands such as Vitra (Chaise Chair, Kuubo Tables), Magis with the Déjà Vu mirror, and Swedese with the LOG storage systems.
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EMECO
American furniture company Emeco was founded in 1944 to manufacture lightweight, non-corrosive, fire-resistant and anti-torpedo chairs for the US Navy. The classic 1006 Navy Chair was a result of this aim. Made to last for at least 150 years, lightweight, intelligent, functional and solid - because "it was the best we could do". Today, Emeco’s craftsmen in Hanover, Pennsylvania, continue to make chairs that are so resistant they are passed on from generation to generation - Emeco defines the concept of sustainability. Emeco leads the industry, explores and innovates in terms of industrial waste and environmentally-friendly resources to create and build simple and timeless furniture.