In his wooden block set, Oscar Diaz draws inspiration from Tokyo’s iconic Nakagin Capsule Tower, a mixed-use structure conceived by renowned Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa. 20 stackable wooden blocks and a hexagonal wooden base allow for endless combinations, encouraging creativity in reimagining the capsule tower’s unique form. Maintaining balance as blocks are added is the main goal, simulating the delicate equilibrium of the original building. Players continue stacking until only the red blocks remain, which must then be carefully placed on top, testing the stability of the entire creation. Crafted from beech wood and colored with water-based pigments, these pieces offer a tactile connection to Kurokawa’s avant-garde architecture. 

all images courtesy of oscar diaz

iconic nakagin capsule tower turns into a wooden toy

Completed in 1972, the Nakagin Capsule Tower was a pioneering example of modular architecture, embodying the Japanese Buddhist concept of renewal. Kurokawa envisioned the building as a temporary, adaptable structure, capable of evolving like a living organism. Although the tower was disassembled in 2022, Oscar Diaz aims to revive its innovative spirit through this wooden block set, which invites players to explore the principles of modular design.  The set by the industrial designer comes with a cotton bag for easy storage, making it a playful and practical tribute to one of Tokyo’s most notable architectural works.

each block can be positioned in multiple orientations to balance the tower as it is being built

the two red blocks reference the tower’s original structural elements

each wooden block represents one of the Nakagin tower capsules, with their characteristic round window

the resulting object serves as a memento of this Japanese avant-garde architectural masterpiece

this wooden block set invites players to explore the principles of modular design

there is no right or wrong way to stack each block

the Japanese Capsule Tower set is composed of twenty stackable wooden blocks and a hexagonal wooden base

players continue stacking until only the red blocks remain

the blocks can be configured in a wide range of combinations

although the tower was disassembled in 2022, Oscar Diaz aims to revive its innovative spirit

project info:

name: Japanese Capsule Tower
designer: Oscar Diaz | @oscardiazstudio

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom

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‘pixo’ by oscar diaz studio is a tablet mount connects a tablet to a wide range of computer screens, so users can utilize a second display at their workstation. because of it’s magnetic attachment, it can be attached to a wide range of tablet brands including apple’s latest 12.9 inch ‘iPad pro’, which would increase up to 60% of a working screen size, if used with a regular 21.5 inch display. through third-party apps, the attachment system can convert tablets as second-screens or if developers need to preview mobile layouts, share content across all devices. to help with manufacturing, ‘pixo’ has a kickstarter platform with shipping plans for november 2016. 

campaign film for the ‘pixo’
video courtesy of oscar diaz studio

oscar diaz studio was funded by royal college of art graduate oscar diaz in 2007. he has since designed products and installations for clients such as hermès, MUJI and veuve clicquot, and has been widely exhibited in europe and asia and selected for exhibitions in museums such as museum boijmans van beuningen, triennale di milano design museum, marta herford museum and MoMA in new york. 

the ‘pixo’ can added different sized tablets 

the system used magnetic strips to attach mobile devices 

the clamps are ideal for developers needing to preview layouts for different devices 
the design process behind the ‘pixo’

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the ‘volume’ mirror by oscar diaz can assume four different orientations as a result of a geometric network at its back, increasing the flexibility of its applications. the design is sand cast in aluminum, while the mirror is composed of polished stainless steel. ‘volume’ is being exhibited at tokyobike during the 2015 london design festival in the shoreditch design triangle.

available in a bevy of colors, the mirror provides users with a high degree of flexibility

a view of the mirror’s back reveals the contiguous shape of the piece

polished stainless steel provides enhances durability

a detail view of the black edition in a horizontal position

by sand-casting in aluminum, each piece achieves a minimalist appearance

edited by: trevor reed | designboom

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the work of spanish-born, london-based designer oscar diaz, ‘tubo’ is a series of tealight candle holders that mimics the look
of traditional candlesticks. the designer frosts borosilicate glass laboratory tubes, fitting each with an adjustable platform
connected to the tube by a series of magnets. the system permits users to slide the tealight to different heights,
as well as light the candle without burning his fingers.

view of ‘tubo’ in use

the tealight can be easily raised and lowered via a system of magents

additional views

view of component parts

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london-based designer oscar diaz presents prototypes of his ‘CL lamp’ at multiplicity in the brompton design district
during london design week 2011.

developed following a two-week workshop at the école des beaux art de bordeaux, the lighting object interprets
the facets found on calligraphic ink bottles that facilitate access to the ink, and applies the form to the base of a lamp.
this shape aids in directing the light source according to one’s needs, allowing one to angle it accordingly.
the articulated joint normally found at the base of lamps in this case is replaced by geometry which is cast in metal
and firmly stabilizes the light. the small head can change angles and slide up and down.
‘CL lamp’ uses energy efficient LEDs that are of a warm white color similiar to the traditional light bulb.

the lamp’s head can move up and down

the cast metal base draws its form from that of faceted ink bottles

full view

the light’s head can also be angled according to one’s needs

up close

‘CL lamp’ in red

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london-based designers oscar diaz and yuri suzuki  have developed a REC & PLAY pen.
first step: to draw lines of magnetic ink, then the red pen records sound and finally the black pen plays the recorded sound.
designboom featured this work already in summer 2010, it now has been perfected.

yuri suzuki with recording head and microphone pen

image © designboom

to reference and indicate each pen function, the pens use the color code of cassette recorders.
the REC pen is red, and the PLAY pen, black.
both pens are connected to a circuit board and a power supply to feed the electronic components.

the red pen records while the black pen plays the sound back
photos by hitomi kai yoda

the recording head records the sound captured
by the microphone situated at the top part of the pen.
the black pen incorporates a speaker.

the speaker pen
image © designboom

when the black pen’s head moves along the line the previously recorded
sound can be heard.

the lines contain ferromagnetic ink and is made with components
previously used for cassette tapes
image © yuri suzuki

ferromagnetic ink is applied to paper.

making of ferromagnetic ink
image © yuri suzuki

see how it works

REC & PLAY is a collaborative project between yuri suzuki and oscar diaz.
the designers met at london’s RCA and a while ago started tinkering with the intention to create an object that
would combine drawing and sound. technical advise was given by tim hunkin.

see more videos of the initial steps of development here and here.

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‘rec & play’ is a collaborative project between yuri suzuki and oscar diaz. both designers, who
met at the RCA, started tinkering a while ago with the intention to create an object that would
combine drawing and sound.

the ‘rec’ pen, draws and records sound on a line. it contains a special ferromagnetic ink, made
with the same component used to make old cassette tapes, a recording head and a microphone.
the ink is applied to the paper and at the same time the recording head can record the sound
captured by the microphone situated on the top part of the pen.

the ‘play’ pen retrieves the sound and plays it back.  it contains a red head and a speaker.
when the red tape head is moved along the line the previously recorded sound can be heard.

to reference and indicate each pen function, the pens uses the color code from old cassette recorders.
the ‘rec’ pen is red, and the ‘play’ pen, black. both pens are connected to a circuit board and a power
supply to feed the electronic components.

the project, is part of ‘sound interjection’ an exhibition featuring an extensive selection of yuri suzuki’s
work, which will be presented for the first time at the kk outlet in london from september 3rd, 2010.

the red pen records while the black pen plays the sound back

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‘while u sleep’ is a new key cutting concept developed by spanish designer oscar diaz.
his proposal questions the traditional key cutting service, and introduces a product in which
the use of 3D printing technology will facilitate the copy and storage of keys as data.

since 3D data can be managed by parametric software and allow easy customization, the type
of head can be chosen, along with the texture or color – to differentiate specific uses
of keys.

the keys head shape has been redesigned so they can be clipped together without the need
of a keyring. accessories include a wristband and a button where possible, to clip one
or two keys together. the system is compatible with existing keys so they can be mixed
together until the new key-clip system fully replaces the old keys.

‘while u sleep’ was commissioned for ‘new simplicity’ and exhibition about simple design
curated by nuno coelho. nine designers were asked to investigate the possibilities of using
3D printing technology as a manufacturing tool in the near future. the exhibition is part of
the brompton design district cultural program.

the key’s clipped to each other

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london designer oscar diaz has created ‘glueline’, a shopping bag for foodmarketo
held during milan design week 2010. the bag is made using a standard 32mm wide strap
coated at the overlapping points with rubber. it works as both, the bonding and decorative
element, holding the strap together and emphasizing the connecting areas. the handle
is also coated with rubber to improve the grip.  each bag is handcrafted and built as
a wireframe.

joints are emphasized in grey

the handle

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oscar diaz is a product designer based in london where he ‘works with ideas applied to objects, furniture and
spaces, both on commissioned and self-initiated projects. pieces from one of his more recent projects ‘self-printed’
include these calendars and plant posters made by controlling the ink bleeding on the paper.

plant poster

new year card

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