Interview with Seiji Takahashi

I became interested in architecture when I rebuilt my parents' house when I was in high school.I read the collections and biographies of architects around the world at that time and thought they were cool.

I chose it myelf.

I design a wide range of projects, including commercial buildings, homes, offices, and factories. In the future, I would like to design something with a more public and dynamic scale.

Design talent is of course important, but since architecture costs a lot of money, you won't receive work requests unless you gain social trust as a human being. Don't rush and gain experience that will lead to your future

Being humble.

Architectural design is not solely the work of architects. Behind it are legal constraints, cost limitations, functionality, and the client's demands. Designs that overcome these restrictions and are expressed creatively should be highly valued.

If good architecture has an impact on the surrounding environment and economy, I think we should invest in design.

I want to design my own home

my own home

Constantly striving for a higher level and never being satisfied with the current situation.

Mies van der Rohe、Carlo Scarpa 、Tadao Ando

Tomba Brion designed by Carlo Scarpa.Beautiful and exquisite details

I try not to think of my work as the best because I want to constantly evolve. The one that received the most praise was Villa K, which won this award.

Visualize yourself every day as you want to be in the future. When you do this, your actions will naturally change, and the results will change as well.

My master architect MITURU KIRYU

Design experience when young

living expenses

The world's excellent media and websites

Larger-scale projects not only in Japan but also overseas

I will burn myself out to the end of my life in order to preserve as many buildings on earth as possible that move people and give them hope.

Unique design you won't find anywhere else

Good architecture attracts people and has a positive impact on the economy and environment.

Fusion of structure and design

Villa K received this award. The client asked me to design freely without thinking about cost, and I was able to create freely.

Especially in Japan, where I live, I would like to see an environment where architects are more respected. Nowadays, there are fewer of them compared to the rest of the world.

Customized designs tailored to the needs of individual clients and users are required.

3 months to half a year. 1 year at most

First, listen carefully to what the client is saying. Then, find and organize the true desire within those words. After that, I drew sketches over and over until I came up with a concise and beautiful shape.

An attitude of never being satisfied with the status quo and pursuing better designs

I don't think we can ignore the influence of trends as well as design demands.
We always design with the hope that our designs will create new trends.

Turning a vague image in your head into a concrete form

Sketch, 3D computer graphics

Things like makeup and clothes. That in itself is an important element, but what I value most is the beauty of the spaces and structures that make up architecture.
If you were to compare it to a person, it would be a skeleton. If you have a beautiful bone structure, you will look beautiful no matter what you wear.

The process of creating a design

excitement. Emotional excitement. I feel motivated to do more

It varies depending on the role, such as design, structure, equipment design, etc., but I think it's very stimulating to collaborate with people who have talents that you don't have.

My master architect MITURU KIRYU

wirks of Tadao Ando

During my young apprenticeship, I experienced designing as many types and scales as possible.

I would like to discuss current social issues and the future with people from different industries.

I am very happy to receive an evaluation from a third party and it gives me confidence. I don't know why a work is rated as famous because it is evaluated by a third party, but I think it depends on whether or not you can wait patiently until you come across a work that is rated as famous.

Color: Black Location: Venice Food: Pasta, Sushi Season: Spring Brand: Nothing in particular

My father was a student at Nagoya University, so he often took me to the Toyota Auditorium at Nagoya University when I was little. Toyota Auditorium is the first building in Japan by architect Fumihiko Maki, who won the Pritzker Architecture Prize. I was only 3 or 5 years old, but I still remember the power I felt from that architecture. When I'm worried or hit a wall, I still go to that place to clear my mind.

Every day, visualize yourself as someone who will be admired by everyone in the future.

yes. I've always wanted to do that.

Just as there were civilizations and cultures on this earth tens of thousands of years ago, there is no creation.

I would like him to be known as one of the Japanese architects who pays close attention to detail, as symbolized by Japanese food and hospitality.

Based in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, I design a wide range of buildings, including commercial architecture, residential homes, offices, and factories. Recently, I have often been sought after for unique designs that cannot be found elsewhere.

Through my own expression, I shape the thoughts of my clients into reality, and it is a job that brings inspiration and hope to people in the world.

It is when I am trusted by clients and given a certain level of freedom to design.

There are many influences, but I was deeply inspired by the beautiful details of Carlo Scarpa's work, especially the Tomba Brion.

It is a restaurant and office building located within a golf course. The building's structure is made of concrete, wood, and steel, and I designed it with a focus on how the spaces created by each material can appear beautiful.

Concrete, stone, and glass.　twinmotion.

The initial moments of creating a design—those are the creative and inspiring, happy times.

The client's vision and the philosophy behind the design.

Nothingness.

A sense of happiness.

Listening carefully to the client's voice and thoroughly revisiting my design multiple times.

Whether the space is simple and beautiful, and whether the client's needs are properly expressed.

Once a building is constructed, it remains there for decades or even centuries. Designers must be mindful of this and consider the surrounding environment in which the building is placed.

As technology continues to advance, the fusion of art and technology will reach even higher dimensions.

I don't particularly hold exhibitions.

I try to read between the lines of each word from the client and understand the deeper meaning.

I always mindful of creating simple and beautiful designs where the structural design that influences the shape of the building seamlessly becomes part of the overall aesthetic.

Living in Japan, you observe that the country boasts a rich history and architecture with beautiful details, crafted with the meticulous care unique to the Japanese people. You believe that, much like food, works originating from Japan's spirit should be recognized and appreciated globally. However, due to Japan's island nature, one challenge is that many people tend to be content within the country and do not push out into the world.

I don't have any particular collaboration.

Respecting and trusting the designer.

First, I listen carefully to the client's words. Then, I identify and organize the true desires hidden within those words. After that, I guide the design toward a simple and beautiful form by repeatedly sketching.

Rotring mechanical pencil, RAMY's scribble, Montblanc fountain pen and ballpoint pen, iPad.

My routine involves waking up at 5:00 AM, followed by stretching and exercising, and organizing tasks for the day. From 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, you work and attend meetings. In the evening, cook, watch movies, and read. It seems like a productive and fulfilling schedule!

Experience is a treasure that no one can take away. Never give up on what you truly want to do. Eventually, those experiences will connect and form a single, meaningful line.

I find fulfillment in creating something from nothing, especially when it benefits people and society. The downside is that evaluation comes from third parties, so it can be very challenging and requires great resilience and patience to thrive in this field.

Essential, creative, beautiful.

Constantly striving for a higher level and never being satisfied with the current situation.

Sketching, 3D computer graphics.

In the initial stage, I don’t set a strict timeline and instead wait for ideas to come naturally during daily life. After that, I assign roles and manage time to move the process forward.

3 months to 1 year

How do you find clients?

After graduating from university, I studied under the architect MITURU KIRYU.

Affluent individuals with a high sense of design.

Sketching in the initial stage. Creating something from nothing is very stimulating and inspiring.

By completing each task with high precision, I want to design architecture all around the world.

I adjust the team structure according to the scale of each project and move forward accordingly.

Nothing in particular.

At first, email is preferable.

Nothing in particular.