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OUR APPROACH

Our focus is crafting bespoke design solutions for a wide range of projects with clients seeking desired spaces. From a room with a garden to the interior of residential, cultural, and commercial buildings, we engage with each project to create a borderless environment.

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Drawing on our East-West cultural roots and experiences in art, architecture, landscape, and garden design, our philosophy is to integrate requirements and readings into timeless and unique environments by consciously creating ever-flowing spaces with a story to tell, regardless of project type or scale. We strive to achieve a sense of continuity between spaces by considering each site's specific conditions and requirements and reflecting them in our schemes that unify interior and exterior spaces to create a comprehensive view of our architecture.

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One of our exemplary projects that represent the source of our philosophy is the zen temple pavilion “Kohtei” completed by Yuichi Kodai and Kohei Nawa, Yoshitaka Lee of SANDWICH Inc. in a complex of the “Shinshoji Zen Museum and Gardens”. The flow of scenery in their gardens and the architectural experience is designed for a physical and meditative journey in which each visitor perceives and has their understanding.

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Our objective strongly engages with this approach, which becomes the basis of making a story of experiences for each project concerning living and working spaces, including wellness and bath cultures with interior or exterior gardens. We transcend cultural boundaries by carefully selecting materials, construction techniques, and space compositions to create balance in a borderless environment. Ultimately, we aim to create lasting joy in their surrounding environment and

the people who experience it.

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GARDEN & LANDSCAPE

Our firm believes that the relationship between the interior and exterior of a space is essential to the architecture of any project. We draw inspiration from the historical heritage of Kyoto, where traditional homes, temples, and shrines seamlessly integrate natural elements into their architecture. Yuichi's interest in landscape design began with his work on the "Perez Art Museum, Miami" project with Herzog & de Meuron. He continued to refine his skills and approach, culminating in his collaboration on "Kohtei" in Shinshoji Zen Museum and Gardens with SANDWICH. This experience eventually led to our commission for the "Chalk Garden" at the world-renowned Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in London.

We are proud to consider garden design as part of our architecture, where we can extend the perception of spaces from interior to exterior through trees and plants, encouraging ecological diversity and promoting a harmonious coexistence between us and nature. Our current endeavours involve multiple garden projects in Switzerland, where we explore the intricate relationship between architecture and the natural world.

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ART & CRAFTS 

Yuichi is rooted in the Kimono and Bamboo crafts family, and our deep connection to the art & crafts world has been fostered through years of experience. At Herzog & de Meuron, he gained valuable insight into the operations, functionality, and exhibition of art in museums. Meanwhile, he honed his expertise at "Perez Art Museum Miami" and "TATE Modern" in London. He was crucial in developing exhibition spaces while collaborating with renowned artists to understand their unique perspectives on working with architects. Yuichi has been continuing his working relationship with SANDWICH and galleries and private collectors who hold an extensive range of art, from pre-19th-century European masterpieces to contemporary artworks. We can create environments that foster their creativity by engaging with artists and understanding their mindsets, values, and historical backgrounds. We contributed to support the production of art in Europe and have been involved in collaborating with various galleries: Gyre Gallery in Omotesando-Tokyo,  Stuart Lochhead Sculpture, and Hazlitt. Some artists and craftsmen we've worked with include Michel Comte, Kohei Nawa, Chiharu Shiota, Akira Fujimoto and Cannon Heresy. We also work closely with Japanese clay plaster・Tatsuya Tokura, metal・Goryozaburo Kanaya XVI, bamboo craft masters and Tea Pavilion carpenters and value cross-cultural collaboration. 

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COLLABORATION 

Our firm prioritises collaboration with our clients to create designs that work seamlessly and evoke strong ideas. We understand that a successful project must work spatially and functionally and connect with the client on an inspirational level. To achieve this, we work alongside skilled professionals, including craftsmen, building masters, engineers, specialists, architects, and landscaping professionals. We collaborate with experts in Europe, Switzerland and Japan to ensure our designs are realised as envisioned. We closely work with ATP Architects in London for the United Kingdom, Pourtales Design in Paris for France. Our services are available globally, with our base in Zurich serving as a hub for our work worldwide.

 

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JAPANESE GOODS

Our firm is committed to helping clients incorporate Japanese elements into their environments. Whether it's through importing authentic materials or locally producing them, we strive to create spaces that embody the essence of Japanese design. We have previously imported ・Hinoki Bathtubs (Japanese cypress bathtubs) ・Naguri flooring ・Yoshino Hinoki & Sugi・Japanese Soft & Hardwoods and many other goods. We take pride in contributing to East meets West ventures and would be delighted to assist you in any way we can. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.

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PROFILE