Interview with Nobuaki Miyashita | The CEO of MR STUDIO Co., Ltd.

I have been involved in architectural design for about 30 years in Japan. In 2017, I established a company called MR STUDIO, focusing on design supervision, especially innovative concept making and design development.

As the CEO of the company, I also serve as the lead architect at a premier architectural firm.

We design a wide variety of building types including residential, office, hotel, commercial, educational, cultural facilities, and factories, as well as small-scale interiors to large-scale urban developments.

It is a great honor to have received the Platinum Award, the highest prize at the TITAN Property Awards. Being recognized for our design activities and quality of design is a significant force in advancing our next projects.

The award was for a project titled "Hotel Marina Gold," a large-scale resort hotel in Vietnam. The innovative design, inspired by luxury cruise ships and spacecraft, was a perfect fit for the philosophy of the TITAN Property Awards.

The biggest challenge was how to structurally support the bold design that rises diagonally. The balance between design and cost was also crucial.

Designing outside of Japan and having our design activities known worldwide, I hope, will enable us to undertake projects on a more global scale!

I believe that having a geometrically beautiful building in shape that feels cool and sophisticated at first glance is important. No matter how wonderful the functionality or materials are, an impressive and beautiful form is essential, and it enhances not just the value of the real estate itself but rather the value of the surrounding area as a whole.

I aim to design spaces, architecture, and landscapes that offer distinctive added value through concept making that expresses the potential needs and identity of a project and through innovative design.

The reason I wanted to become an architect was to design large-scale buildings that define the culture and landscape of a city.

I like architecture with iconic and innovative shapes that are unforgettable at first glance. I prefer designs based on geometric, mathematical, physical, and scientific principles. My goal is for the architectural design to lead and highlight the beauty of the city.

I believe in bringing out the latent values not just focusing on the explicit needs of clients and vividly expressing them through architectural design.

What makes Japan stand out in the design world is its meticulous attention to detail and precision. Whether it's architecture, graphic design, or fashion, there's a level of craftsmanship and dedication to quality that's unparalleled, reflecting our deep respect for the process and the materials used.

Absolutely, Japan's culture and heritage influences my designs heavily. The hotel's horizontal stripes and elegance reflect the Japanese emphasis on harmony and simplicity, inspired by our traditional architecture and gardens.

These elements symbolize stability and tranquility, blending traditional Japanese minimalism with modern needs. It's a celebration of our cultural legacy through contemporary design.

Japan has advanced the real estate and architectural design industry by blending innovative technology with traditional design principles. Our commitment to sustainability, earthquake-resistant techniques, and space-efficient designs has set new global benchmarks, influencing how buildings are constructed worldwide. This fusion of the old and the new ensures that our work is not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical and resilient.

For a real estate agent, 'real estate' means more than just property or land; it signifies the foundation for people's dreams and futures. It's about creating spaces where memories are made, businesses flourish, and communities grow.

Our role is to bridge aspirations with reality, ensuring every transaction not only meets but exceeds expectations, making every square foot count towards building a better life.

There are three trends I see: competing in the height of super-tall buildings, competing in sculptural, iconic designs, and designing in harmony with the environment, incorporating wood structures and greenery.

I believe that the implementation of wooden super-tall buildings will evolve in earnest. Also, the use of AI in design is expected to become widespread, providing optimal solutions not only for site characteristics and regulatory compliance but also for cultural and historical contexts.

Conversely, I think it is essential to get inspiration from industries other than real estate. It's important to carefully analyze what value changes are occurring in the fashion industry, what's happening in the culinary world, music, movies, etc.

The biggest influence on me has been my uncle, who is an architect. Since I was a child, he taught me that design is all about the concept and pursuing designs that can only be realized there.

My motto is to remind myself that the best moment to take action is when I feel "I was too late," and to always work with a positive attitude.

In this TITAN Property Awards, we also won two other prizes: the Gold Award for "Aida Sekkei Precut Division Ibaraki Factory" and the Silver Award for "NANEI NISHIKI Building." I would like to thank our clients for giving us the opportunity to design these wonderful projects.