There are 250 possible combinations of carbon fiber, fabric and base materials for Mishima, a 3D-printed wheelchair and ottoman set. All of these options can be analyzed through a single customization site, in a process that is as easy as it is inspiring. This combination ottoman chair is the first release of an on-demand furniture brand, also called Mishima, which has developed advanced additive manufacturing technology that allows it to transform consumer decisions into elegant furniture. Currently, Mishima has more than 70 advanced printers and their capabilities are increasing. Mishima Brand is a technology company trying to change the world; Designed in collaboration with the creative studio branch of SF, the Mishima the lounge collection is a light, robust and sophisticated contribution to any home.
“I am an entrepreneur. I have been building startups almost my whole life,” Mishima CEO Sonny Vu shares with COOL HUNTING. Throughout his illustrious career, Vu has launched companies and invested in others. “One area, as an investment family, that we’ve been excited about is finding deep technology based on some kind of scientific or engineering breakthrough that has the potential to have a positive impact on the planet. About 70% of what we do is a reflection of climate change. Deep technology — a lot of energy. food and materials.” Perhaps surprisingly, Mishima fits this sector.
“When we found Arevo, it was so interesting that we didn’t invest, and we joined in,” Vu says of the parent company of Mishima, a leader in lightweight manufacturing. “I’ve never joined someone’s startup before,” he continues. “It was cool, mainly because it was solving the deep problem of trying to make things lighter and less expensive. I looked at carbon fiber composites. It turns out that the reason they are so expensive — for military planes, luxury cars or bikes — was initially The cost of materials, but this has become a commodity over the years. Now the process of forming a product from this material is 80% of the cost. “
Arevo started creating software, machine learning tools, and robotics to turn the industry around. The first product they fully tested was a bike called the Superstrata. Initially, it took 200 hours to print. Since then, they have managed to reduce the printing time to 16 hours. At first, it weighed four kilograms – now it is only 2.6 and is moving at a speed of about 1.5. During these iterations, it looked exactly the same but the internal structure has progressed. And all the while, it has captured a committed consumer base.
“Everyone thought we were a bike company, so we launched a motorcycle,” says Vu, of the Scotsman brand. “Then everyone thought we were a transportation company and we had to explain that we just print things. We’re trying to make the world a little bit brighter,” says Fu. “Superstrata was to show how complex what we can do. The Scotsman had to show how quickly we could bring something to market – five weeks from design to prototype. But then we wanted to show the strength of the material and what we can do – so we built a chair. That’s what Mishima aims for: to show in a really elegant way something so powerful.”
As a design partner, the branch came highly recommended. “I asked my friend, Tony Fadell, about his favorite designers. He sent several names. Josh [Morenstein, a co-founder and partner] At Branch he designed the Sayl chair for Herman Miller and the Coast chair for Ghidini 1961. I thought so [Ghidini chair] Kan: something that flaunts beauty and strength. On our initial call, Josh came up with a one-hit idea and said, ‘That’s it. We will be fully able to make it happen. “Then the Mishima team learned that this design is really complex for 3D printing. We had to print and reprint. The main challenge was the reflection,” the material gave a bit.
With different versions, they ironed out all the details and now each chair is printed within 12 to 14 hours, and the ottoman is a few more. “The moment you order, we print it,” Vu says. “It can be done in one day. Then it is a matter of upholstering and sending it to people. The bulk of the time is shipping because it is very clogged these days.” To solve this problem, Vu intends to open more printing facilities in Europe and Asia.
Regarding the customization program, Vu says, “We have a few signature designs, a few combinations we recommend, and then there’s a little we don’t. The concierge will give a hold if you try to do one of those.” This concierge is an artificial intelligence service that helps consumers make choices and warns them against unexpected decisions. In some cases, Mishima will also void the warranty if people choose color combinations that are considered extreme. From luscious leathers to luxurious fabrics and different colors and materials – some above the surface, like a special edition polished in 24 karat gold – there are so many decisions to make. Mishima also intends to include vegan leather at the bottom of the line.
Our focus was not on utility, but on question
Although Mishima’s origins are technological—and its mission is one of sustainability stapled to make things lighter and more cost-effective—design was never an afterthought. “Our focus was not on utility. It was about surprising,” says Fu. “We wanted to make something wonder so people would understand that we could make things light, strong, and just for them.”
Photos submitted by Mishima
