Interviews with Wataru Omameuda

The world is overflowing with all kinds of things, and I became particularly interested in the spaces where I wanted to be. Having no shortage of food or clothing, I began seeking out environments—such as buildings and landscapes—that felt comfortable to me, and this pursuit ultimately led to my career.

I believe it was a choice I made. Naturally delving deeper into my interests led to this profession as the result.

Having designed various types of spaces—including places for families, settings for life in old age, spots for travelers, and "third spaces"—I find myself wanting to once again create spaces specifically for children.

I feel I am still a long way off from becoming a legend. More than that, I believe the world would become a more enjoyable place if there were more designs that encouraged society to move forward in a positive and fun way.

Of course, aesthetic sensibility is important, but so is identifying underlying issues and resolving them with a touch of humor. It is about adding value to the community, providing direction to the team and everyone involved, and generating agility.

To have love. To be humorous.

As a result, I feel like I am making an investment.

A place for children. I want to engage with the pure sensibilities of elementary school students and preschoolers—children who do not yet have clearly defined preferences or the tendency to second-guess themselves to please others.

A place where I truly belong. I have carried out specific projects for others—infused with love and a message. While I feel I belong in that space and am capable of adapting to it, I have not yet succeeded in creating a place that is truly my own.

It is a source of joy for everyone involved. I also feel that we have succeeded in creating a space where one can feel at ease—much like a cat naturally settling into a spot in the wild.

It is not just the buildings and spaces themselves, but also the people who are sharing them with the world.

Nothing comes to mind in particular.

Things that have endured over time—I believe that is proof of having been loved.

Being considerate of others.

A bicycle repair person—or perhaps some kind of restorer.

Even without creating something from scratch, I want to be involved with things that endure over time through the act of restoration.

It’s not something you ingest into your body, but a "vitamin" in the sense that it permeates both mind and body.

Everyone who has been a part of my life—it is thanks to them that I am who I am today

Everything I’ve experienced in life—that is the starting point for all my interests.

Never give up. Have the spirit to put in that extra bit of effort.

Please feel free to present however you see fit.

Infuse the project concept with a narrative.

Use that story to guide all stakeholders.

Look forward to what emerges from this process.

Being altruistic.

One is profitability. Steering teamwork. Humor.

While the design itself is important for determining utility, it is equally crucial to monitor the ongoing operation—tracking whether it proves useful and continuing to watch over it until it consistently delivers value.

I want to be a designer who creates the kind of excitement that changes the world—just as Apple did. I believe that means constantly taking on new challenges.

Satoyama Village. I have yet to design anything else that has been loved by so many people and has had such an impact.

For designers to survive and for the best among them to endure, a bit more support from society is needed. Unless they become figures people look up to—much like baseball players—they simply cannot sustain a career.

Solving social issues.

I feel that, realistically, having as much time as possible is important.

Organizing information.

If you make improvements yourself, it will surely become something even better. The key is to keep at it.

I think it could be either, but I also feel that a design intended to solve one problem might lead to a solution for another.

It gives the impression that technology supports people more clearly.

Notepad, CAD, Illustrator, and AI. Plus, someone to consult with.

There is nothing in particular.

Inspiration and vision.

What kind of scenes come to mind? What kind of fun things await?

I truly believe this. Having someone to consult often helps bring a future into focus that one couldn't see on their own. At the same time, however, simply having a confidant isn't enough; compatibility and suitability play a crucial role.

My father aspired to be an architect. As I continued along that path since my student days, I naturally aspired to become a designer.

We are a design consulting company that proposes homes, spaces, and town development that can be differentiated from others, with community = "connection" between people as a key factor. As a professional group of planning, real estate, and design, we will realize the diversifying needs of society and clients by producing and practicing from planning to operation in total.

Something that stands quietly in the background, like background music, that doesn't disturb someone's music.

Something pure, free from arbitrary things, as if it had always been there.

Like second-hand clothes, things that retain their quality even after the passage of time.

Satoyama Village

It's not something that goes out of fashion, but something that feels like it's always been there.

always, even now

It is necessary to separate large designs and small designs, and both are necessary.

Excited, excited, nervous...