Interview with Hijung Kasuya

Ever since I was a child, I’ve been fascinated by beautiful spaces, which is why I decided to become a designer.

Encouraged by my parents to pursue a career that would benefit others, I chose the path that I found most interesting—for the sake of society, my parents, and myself.

Since I’ve primarily taken on commissioned projects so far, my design style hasn’t yet developed a distinct character. My most extensive experience has been with golf course clubhouses.
I’m interested in projects that create unique, relaxing spaces—such as hotels and clubhouses. Resort offices also sound like fun.

On the traditional path, you might want to study under the mentor you aspire to follow and seek out clients with whom you have good chemistry, or you might choose a more independent path.

It’s a difficult definition, but I believe it’s important to be a person of integrity before being a designer.
One is likely to be called an outstanding designer by making a significant impact on or contributing greatly to society, and by creating work that stands the test of time,
one can earn the reputation of a great designer.

Something that resonates with people’s hearts, even for just a moment. Something that stays with them. Something that stirs their souls. I want to design things that have that kind of impact.

For example, even just one favorite chair can make a person happy.

I believe that the spaces and environments that surround us, as well as the everyday items we use, should enrich our lives both visually and functionally, and bring comfort to our hearts.
I believe that investing in excellent design is not an investment in the objects themselves, but rather an investment in fostering a richer daily life and a sense of inner peace.

A sophisticated retirement home for seniors who love art and music.

My dream is to promote Korean folk paintings—a historical heritage of my parents’ homeland, South Korea—to the world through the use of space.

It’s all about keeping at my work.
When I’m not working, I travel or visit art museums to hone my sensibilities.
I’m endlessly ambitious.

Mies van der Rohe, Alvar Aalto, Michele De luchi. Zaha Hadid, Makoto Tanijiri, Sosuke Fujimoto.

Mies van der Rohe’s house: a rational, minimalist design.
Michele De luchi’ s Tolomeo lamp: a minimalist form crafted from aluminum.
Zaha Hadid’s Soul DDP”: a streamlined form reminiscent of a space station.

Charlotte Perriand’s LC Sofa series.
I love the simple, minimalist style of the leather-upholstered cushions set on a steel-tube frame.

See the big picture from both a bird’s-eye view and an ant’s-eye view. Learn from everyone.

Film director, actress.

I believe design is like a vitamin—a nutrient that is essential for life.

These are my family and my best friends.

Luck, Gratitude, Curiosity, Passion and hard work.

Not disclosed.

Generally, this includes features in magazines and online publications, as well as exhibitions.

There is likely no more effective or prestigious way to showcase your work than by winning a top prize at a globally renowned and highly regarded design award.

The target is the Bakery House shop and restaurant. We want it to become a landmark along the main road.

Life is not about finding yourself. It is about creating yourself. — Bernard Shaw

Is it to be a companion in the realization of dreams and hopes?
Is it to be a provider of peace of mind and fulfillment?

To provide peace of mind and comfort for the present and the future, while remaining a natural part of everyday life.

Exploring new ideas, materials, and effects.

Kamakura Country Club Clubhouse.

We were in charge of our largest project to date and were honored to receive high honors in five international design awards, including the A' Design Award.

I hope to see more communities of experts who seamlessly bridge the worlds of design and technology.
I believe that sharing each other’s knowledge will be a driving force for future progress.

The integration of sustainable resource recycling with AI-driven technology will continue to evolve.

It depends on the scale of the project. The time required varies significantly between individual design work and participation in large-scale projects.

It starts with interviewing the client. Next, the on-site inspection is the most important step.

“We are all designers for ourselves.” — Michele Delucci

Either entrance works.
There was a time when the design of a storage shed I created became a huge hit, prompting major domestic manufacturers to follow suit one after another.
Today, that design accounts for 80% of storage sheds in Japan. It’s a prime example of a trend that became a standard.

When bringing an idea to life, sometimes you know it beforehand, and other times you explore it later.

Apple PC, AutoCAD, Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.

These are the fundamental elements of spatial design.

Question: What is your motto?
Answer:
“God is in the details.” — Mies van der Rohe.

I’d definitely like to incorporate that product into my own interior design projects.

It's uncharted territory.

Interior Designer Yukio Hashimoto.

William Morris - Filling the details of life with the essence of art

All we have to do is study from various perspectives and refine our ideas in preparation for our proposals, based on the specific requirements of each project.

Patricia Urquiola, whom I admire and look up to as a designer, and Makoto Tanijiri, whose character I also respect.

It took 26 years after our first domestic award to win an international design award in the field of interior design.

2026 Wander Global Design Awards Bronze Prize / Interior Design
2025 A’ Design Awards & Competition Bronze Prize / Interior Design
2025 LIV HOSPITALITY DESIGN AWARD Honorable Mention Prize / Interior Design
2024 SKY DESIGN AWARDS / Interior Design
2024 SIA DESIGN PRIZE / Interior Design

To sum up, winning five titles across five categories in a single project was a first for me, and it has given me even greater confidence.

Terracotta,
Top of the skyscraper,
fig, grapefruit,
spring,
shoes, bag,
Tiffany, COS

One time, a client saw me turn a newly delivered carpet inside out and place books and furniture on top of it as weights to smooth out the creases overnight, and thought it was some kind of magic spell. I’m not a sorcerer, though.

No matter where I am, a day when my heart and inner self are filled with gratitude and joy.

Despite experiencing setbacks and moments of doubt time and time again, I eventually got back on track and have continued on this path to this day.

Just as has been the case with great artistic endeavors of the past, design—in which certain ephemeral elements are gradually weeded out—will continue to be sought after, and its path will not be lost. There will surely be lifestyles there that we cannot even imagine.

In my design work, I will go beyond my own opinions and preferences to provide, with sincerity and passion, solutions that we are confident are best suited to our clients’ hopes and aspirations.

Contemporary Market is a design studio that I run. It was founded in 1985.
I started out designing stationery, and now I handle a wide range of projects, including interior design for golf clubhouses.

It is about creating something from nothing for a specific purpose. It is about creating a form.
There are cases where it is not always necessary to create a form, or where it is better not to.

I like searching for the answers that clients are looking for.

In terms of space, it is a minimalist interior design like Thomas Rietveld.
and in terms of products, it has a simple, industrial taste like Michele De lucchi's Tolomeo lighting.

I designed a series of desktop organizing tools for ITOKI Japan.

I like pure materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, natural stone, and natural wood.

I think it means understanding others through conversation and communicating your own thoughts. It also means liberating yourself through dialogue with nature.

Overall balance is important, so I place equal emphasis on each aspect, such as purpose, shape, and budget, in order to bring everything together as a whole.

Excited by the flash of inspiration, I am calmly calculating at the same time.

I am excited by the joy of having accomplished this, and at the same time, I am grateful for all the cooperative conditions.

Never give up on difficult problems, and never compromise.

Whether or not the concept is consistent.

From the perspective of SDGs, the role of designers in proposing ideas to users will continue to expand in the future. We must continue to learn every day.

Scientific techniques for processing discarded materials and artisanal techniques for reusing them are both evolving. Amidst this evolution, we are seeing signs of new designs emerging.

2005 Franc franc Interior Shop in Tokyo. Next time is undecided.

I am very curious and will try anything that interests me.

Challenging materials. Product design is the starting point.
The image of the space is completed through the expression of materials. The approach begins with concept work.

This is Tokyo, Japan. We benefit from a culture that values the careful use of old things. Japan is finally emerging from a culture of scrap-and-build manufacturing, and I am hopeful that an attitude of protecting the earth is beginning to take root.

I interact with client companies on a project-by-project basis and network with other companies at their events and exhibitions.

I think it's a matter of fate and compatibility.

I start by conducting repeated interviews with the client to thoroughly determine and confirm the desired direction. I then propose a concept and proceed with implementation while confirming it repeatedly.

Everything in my house is may be my favorite item.

I spend one day in meetings and another day designing, making use of various schedules.

① Have one area of good expertise.
② When participating in a project, first get an overview of the whole project, then determine and maintain your position within it.

The good thing is that I can do the creative work I love.
On the other hand, I need an excellent manager.

Human skills, honesty, patience, and perseverance.

Imagination, budget management, and production skills.

PC, visual production software, art books, paintings, posters, etc.

I will take a break after a maximum of three hours.

It varies greatly depending on the scale.

Are you busy? Or what are you designing next?

Communication with top clients.

Company executives and business owners.

Taking action and searching for materials and shapes all around.

I am interested in designing and producing luxurious spaces and lightings.

This varies depending on the scale of the project.

There is a small space that has not been announced due to confidentiality obligations. I designed a scene inspired by a movie set from the past for the guest room.

We look forward to receiving the email From our HP.

I would be delighted to have contact with overseas companies, such as supporting the expansion of overseas companies and brands in Japan.