#Design History #modern furniture #Terada Naoki

Exploring Modern Furniture: A Journey Through History

The fascinating new book, Modern Furniture History: Understanding Design Through Historical Context, published by Seigensha, offers readers a deep dive into the evolution of modern furniture design. Due for release in late January 2026, this book is authored by Naoki Terada, a distinguished architect, designer, and the president of a company specializing in European furniture imports. Terada’s unique blend of experience across various design fields sets the stage for this incomparable exploration of furniture history.

An Expert's Perspective

Terada's background as both an architect and designer equips him with unparalleled insights. Throughout the book, he contextualizes the birth and evolution of modern furniture, linking it to the Industrial Revolution that began in mid-18th century England. Rich illustrations and diagrams accompany his narrative, which guides readers through an expansive timeline of design developments.

With a focus on iconic designers and brands such as Thonet, Le Corbusier, Eames, Wegner, and even influential Japanese figures like Taro Okamoto and Shiro Kuramata, Terada narrates previously fragmented aspects of design history in a cohesive manner. This book portrays the intertwined relationship of these figures and movements across regions, covering Germany, America, Italy, Scandinavia, and Japan.

Designing a Timeline of History

One of the complexities of studying history is the simultaneous events happening across the globe that often go unconnected. Terada proposes a method of interlinking these events chronologically, allowing readers to see the broader scope of design evolution. For instance, he discusses how Scandinavian design gained prominence when introduced to the U.S. by MoMA and figures like Edgar Kaufmann Jr., and how it inspired Japanese designer Isamu Noguchi in his quest for a