SOLID AS LIQUID

This project brings together DAIKAN, a company with world-class expertise in sign manufacturing, and 130 (ONE THIRTY), a design brand that proposes innovative three-dimensional structures, for an exhibition at Milan Design Week 2026.
At the heart of this exhibition is a new form of metal expression called “FLUX METAL™︎ ” It is not merely a material, but the phenomenon itself—the appearance of metal in a state of flux. The project originated when the CMF design studio FEEL GOOD CREATION (FGC) identified the potential of a certain specialized metal material. Although this material had virtually no functional advantages and had rarely been utilized until now, it was discovered that mirror-polishing its cross-section revealed a smooth, liquid-like appearance. However, because the cross-section shifts during the polishing process, a uniform finish cannot be achieved through machining alone. The final stage is entrusted to the micron-level handwork of DAIKAN’s skilled artisans. This is an unprecedented expression of metal, made possible only through the fusion of digital processing and time-honored craftsmanship.

Creation

For this project, Konel was responsible for PR, narrative design, and the planning and production of visual content and videos. Going beyond a mere introduction of technology, we expressed the theme “Return to...” through visuals and video, redefining metal as a “living material” and awakening humanity’s innate “gestures” through touch and sight. We designed the essence of this product—where precision engineering and emotional beauty coexist—as a form of nonverbal communication.

Issue

《FLUX TABLE》 quietly challenges the values demanded by modern society—namely, “stability,” “durability,” and “perfection.” The surface of the tabletop shifts slightly when touched. However, this is not a flaw, but rather the natural fluctuation inherent to the material. Isn’t the true significance found in its ability to realign itself? This work presents a philosophy of beauty centered on “resilience”—a supple strength that accepts fluctuation and returns to a natural state. It is not about striving for perfection, but about being able to return to one’s essence while embracing change. It is precisely because we have a solid connection with society and the environment that we can fluctuate with peace of mind and return to our original state. 《FLUX TABLE》 embodies this philosophy through its very structure.

FLUX TABLE

The 《FLUX TABLE》 is a prototype created to visualize this phenomenon known as “FLUX METAL™︎ ” The mirror-polished tabletop, made of a special metal, appears to shimmer and ripple gently—even though it is stationary—when light hits its surface. The texture, which shifts constantly depending on the angle of the light, must be seen and experienced firsthand. The tabletop is supported by a leg structure designed in collaboration with the design brand 130 (ONE THIRTY). 130’s proprietary technique of continuously constructing a single frame in three dimensions achieves both overwhelming lightness and robustness, creating a structure that possesses a handcrafted aesthetic despite being an industrial product. The combination of the undulating tabletop and the unwavering base—these two contrasting elements—forms the core of this design.