Rio Kobayashi
London-based designer and maker Rio Kobayashi is the founder of practice Rio Kobayashi.
Originally from Tochigi, Japan, at age 18 Kobayashi relocated to Austria to take on a three-year traditional cabinet-making apprenticeship, where he developed and honed his skills in carpentry.
The designer gained experience working with international studios and artists in Milan, Tokyo, Paris and Berlin. In 2017 Kobayashi set up his workshop in East London, which continues to produce work informed by Japanese traditional craft.
Kobayashi’s playful work has since been featured at several design fairs including London Design Festival and Milan Design Week and exhibited at museums including the Victoria and Albert Museum.
