If Lacquer is the body of Najeonchilgi, then the Furo, is the heart.

Organic Lacquer consists of tree sap which can only properly polymerize within specific levels of heat and humidity. A Furo is an enclosure that controls for these variables not only to ensure optimal drying but also to reduce levels of dust and influence the lacquer’s hue.

As the third Furo I’ve built over the years, I wanted to be thoughtful about how the space could better complement my work flow. Installing Wi-Fi enabled sensors allows me to monitor and adjust the Furo climate from my phone (generally around 75°F and 80% RH). The Modular Shelving System was designed with an “anchor” that I can continue to build around for pieces of different sizes. I also made the vinyl canopy detachable so that it could potentially be replaced to create an even larger enclosure in the future.

Workshop

Considered my second living room, the shop is a space customized for the unique challenges of woodworking and painting. Insulation panels, industrial ventilation, and the option of using curtained sections to combat dust make this space the ideal place for laying the groundwork for most of my physical pieces. My Wi-Fi enabled Furo was designed with temperature and humidity controllers to maintain the optimal conditions for lacquer curing.

Studio

This simple space, occupied by two desks and my indoor furo cabinet, is where I do most of my intricate work. My precision tools and brushes help me address the details involved in the preparation and inlaying of the smallest pieces of pearl. My indoor furo is also housed here in cases where the weather is too warm, and it is typically used to cure my smaller projects.

Office

Probably the quietest of my creative spaces, I consider my Office a refuge for designing and creative thought. I often like to switch up the areas I doodle my illustrations or lacquerware digital drafts, but when it comes time to formalize the process, I always end up here. I use a range of computers to create, edit, and finalize drafts and turn to my FLSUN V400 when I need to print one of my 3D model bases.