IFDA 2027 Opens Submissions with Theme 'Origin'

The 13th edition of the International Furniture Design Competition Asahikawa (IFDA 2027) has launched its call for entries under the theme 'Origin', challenging global designers to explore the intrinsic qualities of wood. The triennial competition, founded in 1990, has received over 10,084 entries from 79 countries and regions. Asahikawa, known as Japan's 'heartland of furniture', was named a UNESCO Creative City of Design in 2019. Over 50 past submissions have been commercialized as official Asahikawa Furniture. Selected designers will collaborate with local master woodworkers to produce prototypes. Submissions must be new, unpublished wooden furniture designs, with wood as the primary material. The deadline is December 11, 2026. The jury is chaired by Japanese product designer Jin Kuramoto, joined by French artist-designer Ronan Bouroullec, Danish designer Cecilie Manz, Japanese architect Tsuyoshi Tane, and IFDA Organizing Committee chairman Tetsuya Fujita.