Solid as Liquid: Signage Maker DAIKAN to Make Its Debut at Milan Design Week 2026

DAIKAN Co., Ltd. is an Osaka-based signage manufacturer founded in 1964. As a group of artisans who have supported the creation of spaces for luxury brands and commercial facilities with precision and integrity, the company continues to expand its technology and sensibilities to create value for entire spaces.

As part of this challenge, DAIKAN will make its debut at "Milan Design Week 2026," held in Milan, Italy, from Monday, April 20 to Sunday, April 26, 2026. The venue will be "Palermo 18" in the Brera district, the heart of Fuorisalone. The main product to be unveiled is a prototype of the "FLUX TABLE," a table with a mirror-polished metal top that ripples as if it were liquid. "FLUX METAL" is an unprecedented expression of metal born from the precision machining technology and skilled craftsmanship that DAIKAN has accumulated over more than 60 years. The potential of this material has been realized in this single table.

"FLUX METAL": An Unseen Metal Expression

At the center of this exhibition is a new metal expression called "FLUX METAL." Although it is metal, it appears to be flowing. We have established this phenomenon itself as a material expression. FEEL GOOD CREATION, a CMF® design studio, was the first to recognize the potential of this expression.

It was discovered that when the cross-section of this material—which has almost no functional advantages and has rarely been used—is mirror-polished, it takes on the appearance of a thick, viscous liquid. However, because the cross-section shifts during the polishing process, a uniform finish cannot be achieved through mechanical processing alone. The final stage is entrusted to the micron-level handiwork of DAIKAN's skilled artisans. It is an unprecedented metal expression that can only be realized through the fusion of digital processing and years of craftsmanship.

The Wavering Top and the Unwavering Base: "FLUX TABLE"

The "FLUX TABLE" features a mirror-polished aluminum top that ripples like liquid. Despite being stationary, the surface appears to sway and flow when it catches the light. This unique expression is created by the new metal technique called "FLUX METAL." Supporting the top is a leg structure designed in collaboration with the design brand 130 (ONE THIRTY). 130's unique technology of continuously constructing a single frame into a three-dimensional structure creates a base that is both overwhelmingly lightweight and robust, possessing a handcrafted aesthetic despite being an industrial product. A wavering top and an unwavering base. These two contrasting elements...