Tomohiro Horibe

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Tomohiro Horibe ("TH") 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.

DL: Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

TH : 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。 ⸻ 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.

DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

TH : 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.

DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

TH : 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.

DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

TH : 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.

DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

TH : 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.

DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

TH : 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.

DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

TH : 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.

DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

TH : 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.

DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

TH : 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.