Interview with Tomohiro Horibe
TOMOHIRO HORIBE is first-class licensed Architect, product designer and company president of his own building material selling company.
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Design Legend Interview
31 July 2025
以下のようにアカデミックなインタビュー回答に適した英語に翻訳しました。論理的でフォーマルな表現に整えています。
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After graduating from the Department of Architecture at Tokyo Metropolitan University, I began my career at Mitsui Construction Co., Ltd., a first-section listed company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, where I spent five years engaged in the design of condominium projects.
Subsequently, I joined RC Core Co., Ltd., Japan’s leading log-house company with the number-one market share, where I worked in the product development division for eight years.
Through this career path, I was able to experience the two extremes of residential architecture in the Japanese market—ranging from condominiums to log cabins— which has provided me with a broad and multifaceted perspective on architectural design.
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After graduating from the Department of Architecture at Tokyo Metropolitan University, I began my career at Mitsui Construction Co., Ltd., a first-section listed company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, where I spent five years engaged in the design of condominium projects.
Subsequently, I joined RC Core Co., Ltd., Japan’s leading log-house company with the number-one market share, where I worked in the product development division for eight years.
Through this career path, I was able to experience the two extremes of residential architecture in the Japanese market—ranging from condominiums to log cabins— which has provided me with a broad and multifaceted perspective on architectural design.
I was deeply captivated by architecture, and through my work in architectural design, my interests gradually expanded toward the very elements that shape the built environment—such as construction materials, furniture, interior design, and finishing materials.
I believe that by pursuing my passions, curiosity, spirit of inquiry, and ambition to their fullest, I ultimately found my way to the field of design, with a particular focus on architecture and product development.
I am particularly interested in raw materials that are non-chemical in nature, such as recycled and upcycled resources, natural materials, and solid wood.
My work focuses on transforming discarded elements—such as offcuts and waste materials—into new value through the power of design.
I seek to create and utilize products that embody the origins, context, and narrative of the material itself, resulting in designs that carry a compelling story.
My work focuses on transforming discarded elements—such as offcuts and waste materials—into new value through the power of design.
I seek to create and utilize products that embody the origins, context, and narrative of the material itself, resulting in designs that carry a compelling story.
do not consider myself an exceptional designer; however, I firmly believe that design can serve as a means to address the challenges people face in everyday life.
By repeatedly engaging in the process of shaping solutions through my own methodology, I believe that a unique personal style will naturally emerge over time.
By repeatedly engaging in the process of shaping solutions through my own methodology, I believe that a unique personal style will naturally emerge over time.
I believe that truly excellent design is not defined by temporary trends, but by creations that can be cherished for a long time.
I also consider a design to be outstanding if it compels people to share it with others.
I also consider a design to be outstanding if it compels people to share it with others.
I believe that the essence of design lies in an iterative process of prototyping, in which functions are tested and experienced firsthand, then continuously refined.
A commitment to never compromising, even on the smallest details, allows for millimeter-level adjustments that ultimately generate a form of appeal that cannot be captured by numerical values alone.
A commitment to never compromising, even on the smallest details, allows for millimeter-level adjustments that ultimately generate a form of appeal that cannot be captured by numerical values alone.
Truly outstanding design enriches our daily lives, offering both convenience and emotional fulfillment.
Objects that serve only a functional purpose, no matter how convenient, cannot satisfy the heart.
Objects that serve only a functional purpose, no matter how convenient, cannot satisfy the heart.
I aspire to engage not only with individual components or buildings, but with larger-scale endeavors—such as area development, landscape design, and urban planning—projects that carry broader influence and meaningful social impact.
Designer Interview
1 January 2025
I studied architecture at university and got a job as a designer at a general contractor. Even back then, I was interested in manufacturing as a designer.
My company is called Time & Garden, and we sell original design building materials under the brand name Material World.
Design is a unique way to differentiate yourself from others, a means to solve problems, and an important thing that satisfies people's hearts.
I am interested in product design, which involves recycling or upcycling things that have previously been thrown away or not been put to good use, to create something new.
It is my latest design, a wall material made from scrap wood from furniture and joinery factories. It is a thin, delicate and beautiful French herringbone style panel unit that can be easily installed.
Switch & plug outlet cover plate, it’s called’Tokyo Jacket’. It has 2 layers Acrylic and Aluminum.
Teakwood, especially recycled Teakwood.
I've never been particularly conscious of it, but sometimes an idea that I've been thinking about and worrying about for a long time suddenly takes shape.
Being attractive while being easy to install (functional)
I would like to create something new, something interesting, something different from others. I would say it’s Inquisitive.
Like or dislike, difficult to explain.
AI would create almost everything in the future. Each designer has to have their own identity which is not copied easily by AI. However it should not be selfish .
Interiorlifestyle-tokyo 2024. We have not fixed next yet.
Almost everything in my daily life. Movies, magazines, fashion, food, photography, packaging, etc..
Only one, unique, something new, interesting.
I live in Japan near Tokyo. My office is in Tokyo. Japanese customers are the most picky people in the world. Quality should be perfect always. It’s teaching me to think about not only just design but also how to make it. Also Japanese houses are so small, it should be compact and easy to install.
However, it’s sometimes to much, it makes more rejection material.
However, it’s sometimes to much, it makes more rejection material.
Time & Garden is my company, so nothing special issues.
No idea. Feeling, Inspiration, sense, …
I travel often, and getting inspiration and feeling different atmospheres, and I could get so many ideas.
My car, dining table, Sofa, chairs, bicycle
Nothing special.
Decide on a theme for the day and then go out, shape, color, materials, etc..
For example, if you decide today’s theme is ‘blue’, you should carefully check blue.
You should check every blue items or prints or fashion, even food and so on.
Then, you will realize it more deeply.
For example, if you decide today’s theme is ‘blue’, you should carefully check blue.
You should check every blue items or prints or fashion, even food and so on.
Then, you will realize it more deeply.
AI will be more powerful and stronger than us. However AI could not copy everything. One of impossible AI can’t copy is our design process. Not only finish product, we had better to open our design process or story as our advantage.
Difficult question, maybe Aesthetic sense and sensibility are important.
Taking pictures a lot. Then sorting by material, colors, items, etc..
Just like Pinterest.
Just like Pinterest.
Always struggling with this issue, not find best way…
It depends. Just few months, or few years.
Architects, Designers, contractor, house builders, developers.
Using recycled materials or waist material products.
Not only in Japan, but also in other countries I would like to do business.
Basically by myself.
Contact by email, info@materialworld.jp
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