Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Kei Kitayama ("KK") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.
KK : I grew up in Osaka Japan with both my parents involved in design and architecture. My parents took me to many places including gardens and temples in Kyoto and Nara area. This childhood experience has formed my interests in design and refined my design pallet.
KK : What motivate me the most is to see the expression of the clients or the end users.
KK : I chose to be a designer.
KK : My current design projects are small scale residential, interior for hospitality (restaurants, café and bar) and furniture design. The aim is to increase the scale of the projects to small to medium.
KK : I am still young design myself, and I am following the advice that was written by one of my favourite architect. He recommended young architects to go out and talk to other industry people and read books that are not architecture related to broaden the knowledge.
KK : A good design is timeless. It is a great piece of design not only when it is produced, but also after many years since it has been produced.
KK : House for my parents
KK : A small public building where all generation can enjoy visiting
KK : Not to give up
KK : Tadao Ando
KK : Church of Light designed by Tadao Ando. I like the simple yet rich and amazing internal experience created by the natural light coming through the slot windows.
KK : I travelled around in India for couple of months 20 years ago or so. I believe that sketching different buildings / scenery, and seeing different culture during this period improved myself as a designer.
KK : Maybe a chef so that I can still create / produce to entertain other people.
KK : Design is something that could make our life rich and entertaining.
KK : My parents
KK : Childhood experience of visiting great architecture in Japan.
KK : Whatever the method that is used to present the idea, it is important that the presentation is made easy to understand for the client / user. As long as it is clear and easy to understand, it is not really a matter whether it is using technology or hand drawn sketches.
KK : I have been working on a residential alteration and addition project in Australia. I am trying to create a simple exterior with rich / interesting space within.
KK : Ultimate goal is to keep working as a designer till end of my life.
KK : Architecture is somewhere people spend most of their time for sleeping, working, eating etc, and it has a big impact on development of people’s emotion and feeling. Architecture may only be a small component to assist better society, but it can definitely assist.
KK : It varies depending on the size and complexity of the project.
KK : The process always starts with meeting clients and visiting the site. The site condition and personality of the clients have a large impact on the design.
KK : Keep learning and challenging
KK : Design sets the trends
KK : My design process is still manual. Technology is utilised for the presentation and the documentation stages.
KK : Pen, paper, cardboard, glue during design stage; Rhino, 3D Max and photoshop for presentation; auto CAD for documentation.
KK : Tadao Ando’s books and Taro Okamoto’s ‘Have poison in you’
KK : White, Japan, Sushi, Spring
KK : Design is my interests, and it can motivate myself when I sit down and start working on.
KK : No. I didn’t do well in art subjects when I was in primary school.
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