HOUSE VISION

Founded in 1919. The holding company for the Yamato Group, which owns businesses including information services, settlement and home convenience services, and the TA-Q-BIN delivery service company Yamato Transport. Striving to create new value through merging the functions of group companies into a network based on TA-Q-BIN. Expanding express home delivery operations to many Asian countries. Launched international cool express delivery services from Japan to Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Active in a wide range of fields related to industrial design, from designing electronics, healthcare and consumer products to acting as creative director for a hotel. Shibata’s signature works include the beads sofa for MUJI, thermometers for Omron, the 9h nine hours capsule hotel, next-generation vending machine for JR East Water Business, kitchen knife for Tadafusa and buchi wooden toys.

The Airbnb concept: Belong Anywhere. Founded in San Francisco in 2008. Created a marketplace that enables people to list and rent vacant rooms in ordinary homes and unique accommodations all over the world, through the Internet and mobile phone. Airbnb is now in more than 35,000 cities and 192 countries worldwide, with more than 1 million people per day at peak times using Airbnb to stay at other people's homes. The connections between people created by this is changing the fundamental concepts behind home, work and community.

Born in Saitama Prefecture in 1977. After completing the masters course at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, joined Taira Nishizawa Architects and established Go Hasegawa and Associates in 2005. Formerly a lecturer at Tokyo Institute of Technology, visiting professor at Academy of Architecture of Mendrisio in Switzerland and visiting professor at Oslo School of Architecture and Design in Norway. Currently a visiting professor at University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). Major awards include the 2007 Gold Prize in Residential Architecture Award by Tokyo Society of Architects & Building Engineers, 24th Shinkenchiku Prize and AR Design Vanguard 2014. Published a new book, Go Hasegawa: Conversations with European Architects, a compilation of interviews with European architects (LIXIL Publishing, 2015).

A major electronics manufacturer founded in 1918. With a basic philosophy of improving people’s lives worldwide and furthering the advancement of society, Panasonic aims to achieve "A Better Life, A Better World" through five business domains: consumer electronics, housing, automotive, B2B solutions, and devices. Panasonic presents an overall vision spanning hardware, software and services for the various spaces of people’s activities, from the house, office, stores, vehicles and airplanes, all the way to the city.

Born in Tokyo in 1975. Graduated from Showa Women's University, Department of Human Life and Design in 1998. Worked at Jun Aoki and Associates from 1998 to 2002. Established Yuko Nagayama and Associates in 2002. Major works include the Louis Vuitton store in Kyoto Daimaru, a house on a hill, Anteprima at Ion in Singapore, Kayaba Coffee, Sisii Pressroom, Kiya Ryokan and Teshima Yokoo House. Awards received include the L'Oreal Award, JCD Design Award, AR Awards (UK), Architectural Record Award, and Design Vanguard 2012.

MUJI was created in 1980 as an antithesis to the consumer society, with the tagline "lower priced for a reason." Its product development is based on creating products that are truly necessary in daily life without unnecessary complexity. Valuing lifestyle aesthetics, MUJI continues to pursue the vision of a simple, pleasant life. At MUJI House, our house concept a house is one that can be used for a long time and changed when needed. We present our vision of a sturdy and richly versatile house where the residents can freely compose their lifestyle. The Furniture House is a new addition to the MUJI House, following the Wooden House and the Window House.

Yoshiharu Tsukamoto and Momoyo Kaijima founded Atelier Bow-Wow in 1992. Youichi Tamai became a partner in 2015. They advocate behavioral study that considers the behavioral dynamics between nature, humans and physical objects, through the design of residences and public spaces in and out of Japan, and the ethnographical study of architecture and urban space.

Founded in 2011. Constantly creating new possibilities for department stores, following the group vision "to become the indispensable department store for each individual customer throughout his or her life by continually creating high quality, new lifestyles and being of use to our customers in the many different aspects of their lives. By doing so, we aim to become the world’s foremost retail services group with high profitability and sustained growth."

Established Suppose Design Office in 2000, and Suppose Design Office Co., Ltd. in 2014. Their wide range of work spans residences, commercial spaces, gallery construction, landscapes, products, art installations and more. With offices in Hiroshima and Tokyo, they currently have numerous ongoing projects in and out of Japan, from interiors to residences and complex facilities.

Founded in 1974. Its business operations center on its original lease management trust system, which undertakes all aspects of leasing management for the landowner, including planning and proposal, design and construction, tenant mediation, and operation and management of building rental projects. Established the Rental Housing Future Research Institute in 2014, with the aim of exploring, transmitting, proposing and creating new values in rental housing from different perspectives, to meet the diversifying lifestyles of the future. Exploring bigger possibilities for rental housing.

Born in 1971. Graduated from the Department Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, University of Tokyo in 2000. Established Sou Fujimoto Architects in the same year. Major works include House N, Musashino Art University Museum and Library, House NA, among others. Received the JIA Grand Prix, World Architecture Festival Award for Private House, Venice Biennale's 13th International Architecture Exhibition Golden Lion Award, and many more.

LIXIL’s mission is to be the “Link to Good Living.” Embracing the corporate philosophy of "delivering human-centric innovation that enhances people's living spaces,” five of Japan's top housing-related brands—Tostem, INAX, Shin Nikkei, SUNWAVE and TOEX (formerly Toyo Exterior)—merged to form LIXIL in April 2011. Based on the motto “One LIXIL for Good Living,” LIXIL provides comprehensive high value-added solutions through superior products and services, from construction of new homes and renovation to civil projects for public facilities and spaces.

Born in 1957 in Tokyo. Worked for Arata Isozaki, Tokyo, Japan from 1982 to 1983. Received Bachelor of Architecture from Cooper Union School of Architecture in New York in 1984. Established Shigeru Ban Architects in 1985. Served as consultant for United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and established the NGO, Voluntary Architects' Network (VAN) in 1995. Awards include L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (commandeur) and The Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2014. Currently professor at Kyoto University of Art and Design since 2011, and guest professor at Keio University since 2015.

Since its establishment in 1691, Sumitomo Forestry has expanded a variety of housing-related services on a global scale, including forest management, manufacture and distribution of lumber and building materials, housing, and renovation. The company contributes to the realization of a sustainable society of abundance through forestry based on conservation principles, in which forests are planted and managed, and as resources are utilized, felled trees are replaced by newly planted ones.

Born in 1980. Nishihata represents the fifth generation of Hanau Co., a plant and flower wholesaler that has been in business for a century and a half since 1868. Nishihata travels throughout Japan and the entire world, collecting and growing several thousand species of plants. He handles over two thousand queries a year, including projects from both Japan and abroad, involving plants collected daily for things such as ikebana, floral decoration, indoor greening, and landscaping.

Born in 1954. Completed master’s degree at Graduate School of Architecture, University of Tokyo in 1979. Studied at Columbia University as visiting scholar, and later became professor at Keio University in 2001. Installed as professor at University of Tokyo in 2009. Major works include Noh Stage in the Forest, Water/Glass, Suntory Museum of Art, and Nezu Museum. Numerous awards include the Architectural Institute of Japan Award, AIA DuPONT Benedictus Award (USA), and the Mainichi Art Award. Main publications include Makeru Kenchiku and Taidanshu Tsunagu Kenchiku. Currently designing the New National Stadium of Japan.

Founded in 1900. Toppan’s design and marketing knowledge and technical prowess give rise to vibrant reproducibility, creativity, and detail in print. Leveraging its knowledge and technical prowess in producing vibrant reproducibility, Toppan has made major contributions to information and culture through its printing operations, and is continually developing technologies that keep it ahead of the curve. Its Information & Communication Division, Living & Industry Division, and Electronics Division constitute its three core businesses. Toppan is also creating new businesses that lead to next-generation technology and expanding into new areas, such as consumer-oriented B2C services.

A design think tank run by Kenya Hara, Hara Design Institute engages in numerous projects, presenting ideas that visualize industry potential and redefine views and values, such as exhibitions like JAPAN CAR in 2009, Architecture for Dogs in 2012, and TAKEO PAPER SHOW 2014—SUBTLE, while also functioning as an orthodox design studio that provides designs on request. It is in charge of production at HOUSE VISION.

Founded in 1917. TOTO enables abundant lifestyles through water-related products, including toilets, bathrooms, water faucets, and kitchens. It proposes a wide variety of options for improving quality of life through the manufacture of products that are easy for everyone to use and are based on an eco-friendly lifestyle, as well as ideas for reforming, remodeling, or extending homes.

Established in 1957, YKK AP is building its business with the aim of providing greater comfort, from living spaces to urban spaces. With its windows and doors for the home, building facades and other architectural products, YKK AP is creating an enterprise value befitting of a new age.

Born in Hokkaido Prefecture in 1970. Established Jun Igarashi Architects Inc. in 1997. Served as instructor at Hokkaido Institute of Technology (now Hokkaido University of Science) (2005-2010), Tohoku University (2006-2008), Nagoya Institute of Technology (2006-2013), and Keio University (2013), and as visiting professor at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design (2012). Major awards include the Architectural Institute of Japan Hokkaido Architectural Encouragement Prize in 1996 and the 19th Yoshioka Prize in 2003.

After graduating from Tokyo Zokei University (Department of Design) in 1991, studied under furniture designer Teruaki Ohashi. Joined the Itsuko Hasegawa Atelier (Architectural Planning Studio) in 1992, and then established Taiji Fujimori Atelier in 1999. Specializes in furniture design and is actively engaged in interior/product design projects and works in collaboration with various architects. Awards include Good Design Special Awards and many others. Also serves as lecturer at the Kuwasawa Design School, Musashino Art University, Tama Art University, and Nippon Institute of Technology. Also serving as judge for the 2016 Good Design Award.

Established on the founding principle of “contributing to society by making automobiles,” and embracing the challenge of making better cars, Toyota aims to develop thriving societies and be a good corporate citizen that is respected by global society by providing products that are eco-friendly and safe. In order to help create the society of the future, Toyota is working on a wide variety of initiatives, beyond just automobile manufacturing, including the Smart Mobility Society, Biotechnology & Afforestation, and Partner Robots, with the aim of creating the future mobility society and enrich lifestyles.

Born in 1954. Completed master’s degree at Graduate School of Architecture, University of Tokyo in 1979. Studied at Columbia University as visiting scholar, and later became professor at Keio University in 2001. Installed as professor at University of Tokyo in 2009. Major works include Noh Stage in the Forest, Water/Glass, Suntory Museum of Art, and Nezu Museum. Numerous awards include the Architectural Institute of Japan Award, AIA DuPONT Benedictus Award (USA), and the Mainichi Art Award. Main publications include Makeru Kenchiku and Taidanshu Tsunagu Kenchiku. Currently designing the New National Stadium of Japan.

In 1983, TSUTAYA was established as a place where people choose lifestyles, rather than buy things. In the three decades since, Culture Convenience Club Co., Ltd. has offered “lifestyle recommendations” as a culture infrastructure company, continually adapting to contemporary culture and current demand. In addition to its TSUTAYA-focused entertainment business and database marketing business based on the “T Card,” CCC is also engaged in the planning and management of new services, such as Takeo City Library, Tsutaya Books, and Tsutaya Electrics.

A design think tank run by Kenya Hara, Hara Design Institute engages in numerous projects, presenting ideas that visualize industry potential and redefine views and values, such as exhibitions like JAPAN CAR in 2009, Architecture for Dogs in 2012, and TAKEO PAPER SHOW 2014—SUBTLE, while also functioning as an orthodox design studio that provides designs on request. It is in charge of production at HOUSE VISION.

Born in 1959. Graduated from the College of Art and Design, Musashino Art University. Chief Creative Officer at Tohokushinsha Film Corporation (TFC) and commercial director. Awards include Grand Prix at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival for Nissin Cup Noodles TV commercial “hungry?” in 1993. Major directorial work includes Suntory’s “Nenshokei Amino-shiki,” Honda’s “HONDA StepWGN,” and Suntory’s “Iyemon.” Actively fosters young talent both within TFC and outside the company, including serving as visiting professor at the Visual Communication Design Department and Department of Design Informatics at Musashino Art University.

Established in 1973, AGF embraces the corporate philosophy of providing customer satisfaction through its coffee-focused product line, and continuing to conduct business in a way that contributes to society, and strives to be the most well-loved beverage manufacturer in Japan by delivering the ultimate in taste and value (peace of mind and health) to all its customers one by one, in each and every cup of its coffees and other beverages. It also engages in product development that emphasizes the Japanese nature of its coffee, selecting beans that are a good match for the soft water in Japan, and studying methods of roasting that bring out its characteristics.

Born in 1977 in Saitama Prefecture. After completing a master’s course at the Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, joined Taira Nishizawa Architects, and then established Go Hasegawa and Associates in 2005. Served as lecturer at Tokyo Institute of Technology, as well as visiting Professor at the Academy of Architecture of Mendrisio, Switzerland, and Oslo School of Architecture and Design, Norway. Currently visiting professor at the University of California, Los Angeles. Major awards include Gold Prize in Residential Architecture Award, Tokyo Society of Architects & Building Engineers in 2007, the 24th Shinkenchiku Prize, and AR Design Vanguard 2014. New publications include Go Hasegawa: Conversations with European Architects (published 2015 by LIXIL), in which he engages European architects in a series of conversations.