Last June, we had the chance to visit Asics SportStyle in Paris where they introduced the latest shoe collaboration with Kengo Kuma, the Archisite ORU. This product highlights Asics’ motto of “sound mind, sound body”, with its ability to balance harmony, as the shoe serves as a staple in one’s style and philosophy and still be flexible for different needs and environments. It is nothing short of extraordinary, with its constant use of Dyneema material all throughout the design. However, not only was this a feat on its own, but is also a symbol for how everyday life can be incorporated in design, whether it is through the elements of the product, or through the story behind its creation.
During the visit, we had a discussion with Jun Takei, designer for SportStyle, who delved into the process of the collaboration, as well as the accomplishments and challenges that came along with it. In this conversation, we highlight the role of everyday life in design, and what designers can reflect on. It can also provide the motivation to explore the elements that make up our lives, where we can hail ideas and concepts from.
The Minds of Asics and Kengo Kuma Combined
As mentioned, the Archisite ORU was a collaboration between Asics SportStyle and architect Kengo Kuma, known for the National Stadium where Tokyo 2020 Olympic games were held, the Starbucks Coffee at Dazaifu, Kyushu, and the Nezu Museum. With Kengo Kuma hailing from a background of architecture, and Asics from sports, they focused on the theme, “Tsunagu (繋ぐ)”, which means to connect. This theme also aims to connect time, and technology. In addition to that, it wants to proceed to the future with the elements of today that remain tethered to change itself, and be able to support new lifestyles as we traverse through modern society. Because of the rapid pace of the world today, our values as people have changed. This led to Asics exploring the need to create a concept that can withstand such changes. Since Asics wants to honor the need for a consistent personal style, they want to balance such with the variability of time. This balance is thus reflected in Archisite ORU. This was also highlighted in the story of the collaboration, where Asics and Kengo Kuma employed a reflection on people’s lifestyles situated in different locations — whether it may be in a construction site, an office or a hotel lobby.
“At the start of this project, [Kengo Kuma] asked us if we could create shoes with a duality that could be worn in different situations. I think that was the whole idea behind this design,” Jun Takei has said. “By proposing comfortable shoes that can cope with various environmental changes in daily life, we hope to encourage people to be more active in their daily lives.”
This partnership, not only developed comfortable shoes, but also has allowed Asics SportStyle to express such a vision in a newer approach, “[since] we have been able to offer comfortable shoes that can respond to changes in various life situations,” as mentioned by Jun.
As to why this is an extraordinary collaboration that people must look forward to, here’s what Jun has to say. “One of Kuma’s architectural concepts is to blur the boundary between the inside and outside of the building, and to improve various airy aspects of the building, such as the relationship between people and the environment, and between people, in order to create a comfortable and cozy architecture. To achieve this, they are always trying out the latest technology. At Asics [SportStyle] too, they aim to develop shoes that are comfortable all day long, utilizing the technology they have developed in performance to help people lead active lifestyles.”
While at first glance architecture and shoes are far from similar, looking at the two more closely, they both share the same desire to enrich people’s lives and make these more comfortable. As Jun has said, “I believe this is [why] we have been able to create good synergy between the two, although they are completely different fields.”
There were also challenges that they faced with the Archisite ORU. “[While it was] not difficult, the most important thing was to find a shape that could be folded, which is also the origin of the name “Archisite ORU”. Taking inspiration from origami and other arts, we sought a silhouette that could be folded in various ways, allowing the comfort inside the shoe to be adjusted by the folding gesture.” This is how Dyneema, the main material, was discovered and notably used.
Putting Life in Design
When it comes to design, it is really important for Jun, along with the Asics SportStyle team, that they take inspiration from real life experiences, especially when designing objects and structures. “Times are changing faster than ever before, and people’s values are changing every day. We want to continue to evolve and provide people with things that they find fresh. To do that, I think it’s very important to think about what you feel in your daily life and how you [express] it.”
When asked for Jun’s source of inspiration, he mentions that he has been exposed to animation because of collaborative projects including well-known anime series like Naruto. Despite this, rather than an inspiration, he recognizes that it is just part of the creative process. Instead, he puts more emphasis on everyday life, where he gets his new ideas that subsequently fuels his creativity. It is important for him to go out, to interact with various people, in order to be able to create a product that will be used by such individuals. Especially now that trends are changing, he also wants to highlight the need for collaboration, which he mentioned as the key to a new audience.
Everyday life, as exemplified by this collaboration, is crucial and powerful in shaping ideas and forming objects. While it can serve as the main source of our inspiration, it can also serve as the outlook where we envision our products being utilized. This conversation, along with the many insights from Jun, provides a tangible reference for creatives all over the world to simply go out, and experience life, especially now that it is ever-changing and ever-evolving. We must look around and see for ourselves what life is all about.
After all, you may be one moment away from a great idea.
