Design By Japan: 20 Top Interior Design Firms You Should Know – Part 1

Here’s 10 of the top interior design firms in Japan you should know about!

Japan is known as one of the biggest design markets in the world, specially considering the innovation factor that has brought into the design market. Here at Mid-Century Furniture blog, we’re going on a journey to discover the best interior design firms in Japan, divided in two parts. Today, we present you the first 10 top interior design firms, but be on the lookout for the part 2 to get to know all the inspiration you need this second half of 2019!


Aoyama Nomura Design

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Aoyama Nomura Design (A.N.D.) it’s a magnificent, high-end interior, architectural and product design company of Nomura Co. Ltd.. This design firm is recognized as one of Japan’s most incredible and innovative group of designers, constructors and operators. Led by creative director Ryu Kosaka, this company contains a team of experts and a large amount of award-winning interiors for commercial, hotel, office, restaurant, retail, exhibition, and residential projects in Japan, China, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Their design identity is focused on innovation, creativity and uniqueness, through the faithful reflection of the client’s vision!

 

Arata Isozaki

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The architect established Arata Isozaki & Associates in 1963, after the allied occupation when Japan had regained its sovereignty and was seeking physical rebuilding amidst political, economic and cultural uncertainty from the decimation of WWII. He has won the 2019 Pritzker Architecture Prize in a ceremony at the Château de Versailles in France thanks to his transnational and fearlessly futurist approach to design. With more than 100 projects, Isozaki is the 49th architect and eight Japanese architect to receive the honor. “The City” in the Air, in the Shinjuku neighborhood in Tokyo, Japan, is one of his renowned projects in the urbanism industry.

Atsushi Kitagawara

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The Kitagawara Thermal Architecture Research Institute was founded in 1980 by Kitakawahara Thermal and reorganized into a corporation in 1982 and began full-scale design work. His link with nature is ever enduring, as one can deduce by his magnificent work with the Japan Pavilion at the Milan International Exposition in 2015, Shibuya’s cinema building Rise, completed in 1986. The architect also envisioned some conceptual furniture designs, some of which are pieces that could very well come from an imaginative fantasy world of the highest order, a treat to both the eye & heart, proving that the creative landscape of his mind is quite eclectic.

FHAMS

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Based in Kyoto, Fhams is an incredible design team that have worked on a wide range of project types and scales such as interior design, hotels and retail shops. The design company founded by Ryotaro Ando in 2000, proposes designs by considering various aspects, both contextual conditions, and legal conditions, context, climate, and concerns. From the first planning stage, the FHAMS design team proposes designs that combines both contextual conditions and legal conditions, such as programs, context, climate and environment.The FHAMS design team strive to pursue the finest quality and the most exclusive designs.

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Gwenael Nicolas – Curiosity

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CURIOSITY is a multidisciplinary studio based in Tokyo, created by French designer Gwenael Nicolas. From bespoke interior design projects, to architecture and product design, the studio is constantly redefining the boundary of design, not in an abstract way. They collaborate with a large spectrum of companies and clients, to create new products, develop new materials and define new design identities.

Hashimoto Yukio

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Ranging from private restaurants, offices, retail and commercial spaces, to hospitality, restaurants, cafes, clinics and banquets, the Hashimoto Yukio has a very diverse project portfolio. His philosophy focuses on designing ambience instead the material, that allows him to create timeless and harmonious yet quite minimalistic interiors, where the finest details are brought to our attention by a subtle play of light.

Kanji Ueki

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Interior Designer and Representative director of Casappo & Associates, Kanji Ueki was born in Tokyo in 1945. After graduating from Keio University in Tokyo, Ueki went to Italy where he worked at RINASCENTE Department Design section in Milan. In 1971 he started working for Aldo Jacober Architect Studio in Milan, but in 1975 he moved to his homeland and established the top design office Casappo & Associates in Tokyo. His remarkably simple yet striking design style transcends the Asian minimalist vibe most clients search for. From all the accolades the designer has won over the years, we highlight the 2003 Industrial Design Excellence Award for his work on an Apple Store.

Koichi Futatsumata

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Koichi Futatsumata was born in Kagoshima, Japan. After graduating from Department of Engineering and Architecture at Kyushu Industrial University, Futatsumata set up design unit “CASE-REAL” and started his incredible professional career as an interior designer. Thanks to his amazing design solutions in the areas of space, architecture and furniture, Futatsumata has exhibited his work at various exhibitions domestically and internationally. In 2013, Futatsumata set up “KOICHI FUTATSUMATA STUDIO” where he developed his product design practice further.

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Ryoji Iedokoro

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At the office, Ryoji Iedokoro constantly strives to help people realize the importance of architecture through his unique and innovative designs. By combining everyday objects and new approaches the studio takes the spaces central to our day to day lives to a completely new level. Iedokoro believes that architecture is a critical part of every society and community , since it can shape our perceptions and has the power to enrich every human life. Committed to achieve excellence, their amazing design projects portfolio was based in the engagement relationship with their clients, giving them the opportunity to meet and discuss everything about their goals in terms of design.

SANAA

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Also known as the Sejima and Nishizawa and Associates. this multiple award-winning architectural firm is based in Tokyo, Japan. It was founded in 1995 by architects Kazuyo Sejima (1956–) and Ryue Nishizawa (1966–), who was awarded the Pritzker Prize in 2010. Notable works include the Toledo Museum of Art’s Glass Pavilion in Toledo, Ohio; the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York; the Rolex Learning Center at the EPFL in Lausanne; the Serpentine Pavilion in London; the Christian Dior Building in Omotesandō, Tokyo; the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa; and the Louvre-Lens Museum in France.


READ MORE…

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Middle East Bound: 20 Interior Design And Architecture Firms Part 2

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