Crane Design

Designer

Kensuke Yamada was born in Japan in 1976 and lived with his family in Shimoda until the age of 12. His late maternal grandfather was a key influence in his life and taught him the traditional Japanese carpentry methods that underpin his technical competence today. These early years inspired the passion for wood that now forms the heart of his design work.

He came to study in the UK as a teenager and went on to study Architectural Engineering at Leeds University. This architectural training helped to shape his designs into the crisp sharp lines that characterise his current work. Having made furniture as a hobby throughout his life, Kensuke formed his own company in London in 2000. 'Crane Design' is so named as a tribute to his grandfather, whose name, 'tsuruki' meant 'Crane' in Japanese.

Kensuke's distinctive designs blend his various influences to create stylish, modern furniture. The sharp , clean designs are simple, and yet the character of the wood adds a unique depth and richness to each piece.