Introducing Rio Kobayashi and His Table for On the Square

We are delighted to introduce Rio Kobayashi, a designer whose work bridges cultures, materials, and storytelling in unexpected and deeply thoughtful ways. With a background that spans Japanese and Austrian heritage, Rio has cultivated a design language that is both playful and precise, drawing on craft traditions while reinterpreting them through a contemporary lens. His work is characterized by bold forms, vibrant compositions, and an intuitive relationship with materials—resulting in furniture and objects that feel as much like sculptural artworks as they do functional pieces.

For On the Square, Rio has created a striking table that embodies the essence of reinvention. Crafted from reclaimed woodwork salvaged from the house itself, the piece carries the marks of its past life, reassembled into something entirely new. This process of transformation speaks to both the history of the space and the ethos of On the Square—where design, craft, and restoration converge in unexpected ways.

Rio’s design practice is rooted in collaboration, craftsmanship, and an acute awareness of how materials interact with their surroundings. His past projects have seen him work alongside renowned names such as Martino Gamper and Bethan Laura Wood, but his own distinctive voice shines through in each creation. His work often plays with form, balance, and contrast—juxtaposing natural and industrial elements, soft curves and hard edges, tradition and experimentation.

This table is not just a functional piece—it’s a conversation between past and present, between the structure of the house and the new creative narratives being woven into it. It is a statement of intent for On the Square, setting the tone for a space where heritage is not simply preserved but reimagined.

We look forward to sharing more about Rio’s process and the making of this extraordinary piece.