Photo: Masaaki Inoue, Styling: Yumi Nakata, Cooperation: Studio NOI

A Rug That Reflects the Rhythm of Architecture and the Mark of the Human Hand

This jute rug expresses the rhythmic lines found in vernacular architecture* through a striped pattern. Its name is derived from the Japanese word naya (barn). Inspired by humble materials found in architecture and everyday life such as wooden weatherboarding, corrugated metal roofs, bamboo walls, and rope curtains the design reinterprets their lines and shadows as angled planes of stripes.
Variations in color created by twisted jute and wool yarns give the lines a hand-drawn quality, resulting in a rug that evokes both architectural order and the presence of the human hand.

*Vernacular architecture is a style of building based on regional climate, environment, and generations of practical wisdom for daily life.

  • Naya

    Design : Eleanor Pritchard
    Brand : nuskool

    Material : Base / Jute, Pattern / Wool
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Designer : Eleanor Pritchard

Born in Bengaluru, India in 1971. Following a first degree in history at university and a spell at a publishing company, she studied textile design at Art College. She is currently based in London, where she maintains a studio with her own loom, designing and developing samples while collaborating with British textile mills for production. Drawing inspiration from patterns and colors found in the natural and built environment, as well as vernacular culture, she creates works that reinterpret traditional British textiles in a contemporary way.

  • The name Naya is derived from the Japanese word for a traditional barn or storage shed. Designer Eleanor Pritchard drew inspiration from the architecture she encountered during her time in Japan—structures shaped by the country's climate and everyday ingenuity. Elements such as weatherboard cladding, corrugated metal, bamboo walls, and rope noren curtains inspired a composition of intersecting stripes that reinterpret the lines and shadows found in these humble materials.

  • To recreate the hand-drawn quality seen in Eleanor's original sketches, the patterned areas are woven using a twisted blend of jute and wool yarns. The subtle tonal variations created by the twisting process lend depth and movement to the lines, introducing a sense of craftsmanship and human touch within the rug's architectural order.

  • Although jute is a challenging material to process due to its stiffness, this rug was made possible through the advanced tufting expertise of Hozumi Seni, a rug manufacturer based in Yamagata, Japan.

  • Made primarily from jute, the rug offers natural moisture absorption and breathability. Its looped construction traps air, creating a firm yet comfortable texture underfoot reminiscent of traditional tatami mats. Because jute does not easily retain heat, the rug remains pleasant and comfortable even during warmer months.

Brand

nuskool is a furniture brand established in Japan in 2019.
The brand aim is to create masterpieces of the future through co-creation with contemporary designers, not being constrained within the framework of existing items. We are committed to ethical manufacturing that emphasizes by striving to use materials that have a low environmental impact. Our mission is to share the value of our products with users and to nurture culture of abundant life.

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