Hiroaki Iwasa

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Hiroaki Iwasa ("HI") 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?

HI : Since I was a child, I have lived in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tokyo, Japan, and other places, and have also traveled around the world. Having been exposed to various cultures, lifestyles, and values, I first learned to observe people and environments in various places in order to understand them. I also like to think about what people and their environments want, and what improvements they can make to make them happier, even if they don't realize it themselves. As a way to achieve this, I chose the field of design and learned about architectural design, which allows me to design at various scales.

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

HI : I decided to become an architect because I believed that ideas and research based on my own sensibilities could contribute to solving problems for people and the environment, and helping people spend their time happily.

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

HI : I became a designer by choice.

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

HI : I design devices that move people and allow them to spend time comfortably. This applies not only to the limited design of buildings, but also to products such as furniture and accessories that people use, interiors that include products and architecture, external structures of buildings, and cities where buildings are elements. I have received high praise from clients in each field, so I am interested in designing these as a whole. For example, I am interested in designing small accommodation facilities that take advantage of the attractive natural environment and design the environment, architecture, interior, and products.

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

HI : I think it is important to have kindness and sensitivity towards the people around you and the environment, and to acquire a sense of mission and responsibility to try to make the situation better.

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

HI : I think it depends on the evaluation from others, and the difference between gaining universal sympathy or not.

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

HI : The evaluation of whether a design is good or not depends on various criteria. I believe that truly good design is important to solve essential problems and then gain a well-balanced reputation among clients, society, and history.

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

HI : One of the important values ​​of good design is its appeal to make people happy. I think people who find the design attractive should invest in it. People who don't find it attractive won't invest.

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

HI : If I had enough time and money, I would like to design a place for myself to spend time in. My life will end if I say such things.

DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?

HI : Seaside restaurants and stays.

DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

HI : Let's keep it a secret because it won't be a secret anymore.

DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

HI : I don't have a specific person to draw inspiration from. In the project, I get inspiration from facing the situation and requests and repeating trial and error.

DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

HI : Yoyogi Gymnasium in Tokyo by Kenzo Tange. Because it gives me the courage to design as an architect.

DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

HI : I think the next project will probably be the best one.

DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

HI : I think it's important to keep improving without being satisfied with the current situation.

DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

HI : A restaurant owner/chef or a United Nations ambassador. Because I want to use my efforts and techniques to bring satisfaction and smiles, and to help people in need.

DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?

HI : I believe that design is an act that brings good fortune by solving problems for clients and society through its functionality and beauty.

DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

HI : It's my clients, my collaborators, my family, and the people I've met.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

HI : It's a sense of mission.

DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

HI : It is the most difficult and important thing to encounter a project every time

DL: How do you think designers should present their work?

HI : I think it is important for designers to express themselves for the benefit of their clients and society, and without that, there is no self-expression.

DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

HI : A small product and mountain villa project is about to start.

DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?

HI : My goal as an architect is to be able to provide a better future for my clients and society through each design.

DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

HI : I think people expect designers to show them an exciting daily life and a better world by solving problems through design.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

HI : I believe that design provides concrete functionality and a beautiful world in order to realize a better society.

DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

HI : I am excited and looking forward to the next new projects. Unfortunately, I can't talk about specifics yet.

DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

HI : Kounji Temple, which I designed in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. This project was designed by reusing some of the old materials from the former facility, which had been loved by the local community since its relocation 140 years ago. Therefore, it is a valuable piece of architecture that preserves not only the history of the temple but also the memory of the community to future generations.

DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

HI : The design industry changes rapidly, so I think it's important that it continues to change.

DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?

HI : I think the design field will continue to expand and move upstream.

DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

HI : The time it takes to complete depends on the size of the design project.

DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?

HI : First, start by objectively understanding the situation without any preconceived notions.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

HI : Be honest and optimistic

DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

HI : Trends are results, so I think design is what creates them.

DL: What is the role of technology when you design?

HI : The role of technology in design is as a means of thinking and expression.

DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

HI : I use a Mac and Vectorworks software.

DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

HI : They are elements to integrate as a design. In addition, the element of size is also important. What is important in design is how each of these is handled, assembled, and harmonized.

DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?

HI : I want people to ask about the story of the project, not how to express it.

DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

HI : The moment I see a great design or product, I imagine myself happily using it. I think that's a great design.

DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

HI : I do not specify a design partner, but proceed with the design with the partners required by the project.

DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

HI : It's hard to limit it to one person because it affects so many people. I am influenced by a variety of people including architects, craftsmen, artists, and thinkers.

DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?

HI : Vingt mille lieues sous les mers:Jules Verne

DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

HI : My practical skills were honed through the realization of many projects.

DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

HI : Jules Verne

DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

HI : Awards and evaluations are the result of just a few coincidences, so I don't think we should judge them from the outside. I'm not aiming to become famous, so I don't know if it's difficult or not.

DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

HI : My favorite color is deep ocean blue, my favorite place is the seaside, my favorite food is local food, my favorite season is summer, and I don't care about products or brands.

DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

HI : During my Great Journey before becoming independent, I saw the scenery, cityscapes, and local people's lives around the world, and met and talked with people. I happened to be sitting next to a Japanese couple on a morning bus in Nice, France, and I had a 5-minute conversation with them.After that, we continued to interact. a few years later, they planning to build a house, but things weren't going as planned. In Japan, once the land is decided, the design details are often decided by the partner construction company, and the couple did not like the details. So, I after listening carefully to what kind of lifestyle the couple wanted, I gave them one week to propose the best plan based on the results of nearly 100 studies. As a result, the couple realized that this was exactly the kind of house they wanted. So I asked them "If you really want to make this design a reality, please let me support you with more detailed design and construction supervision until completion. then, I was able to receive approval. That became my first project. A comfortable home built on the hillside overlooking the forest behind the house has been completed. I still remember they told me, ``Mr. Iwasa, thank you for the wonderful house!'' when I were leaving.

DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

HI : I start my day off by feeling good in the morning. Cooking my favorite breakfast myself for my family is one of them.

DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

HI : When I was a kid, it didn't matter if I was great or not, I just wanted to have fun designing and make everyone happy, and I still think that way.

DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

HI : I have no idea what will happen in 1000 years, but I think it will be either prosperity or extinction.I think the results will change depending on the smart choices people make today. I think the key is the philosophy of "Chisoku" without becoming greedy.

DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

HI : I consider myself an optimistic and friendly person. Let's have fun and do our best to create a better future together.