Regular readers will know that we were delighted with the opening of our flagship store in Marunouchi, Tokyo in December 2010. 1400 people lined up around the block to get a glimpse of the world’s first directly operated Herman Miller store - and they weren’t disappointed with the results. An integral part of the store's success, the store interiors provide a stunning backdrop to the Herman Miller range on display. In developing the interiors, our team had the pleasure of working with Torafu Architects whose practice works on a range of projects from interiors through to installations and on brands from Nike to 3M. We recently caught up with Torafu and asked them about their work and inspiration.

What led you to pursue a career in design?

As a basis for our work, we make models and study them. I was always interested in handicrafts, so maybe I felt attracted to work that was an extension of that.

Describe a typical day at the office.

Early in the day we check how each project is progressing and, whenever necessary, we check the results in the evening. But the distinctive feature of our working style is that we study the design as much as possible in preliminary meetings and determine its direction through discussions with the craftsmen, for example, by visiting the factory where furniture is being made.

How would you describe your design aesthetic? And how has your approach evolved over the years?

I have no fixed taste in design. I approach each project according to the conditions of the place and the environment, and discussions with the client also lead to solutions. Rather than attaching too much importance to a universal methodology, I try to make each solution evolve into design ideas. Also, regardless of whether I’m making a chair or a t able or whatever, there is no change in my stance of going back to the basics of creating things.

What inspires you?

When I’m walking around outside, looking in a different way at things I might easily overlook enables me to see them in a fresh light. I try to develop the perspective of discovering value in quite commonplace things.

What have been your most rewarding achievements?

Each project is special for me because I try to make each solution evolve into design ideas.

What’s next?

The range of our work tends to be very wide, covering various design genres including architecture, interiors, and products. I would actually like to maintain that wide range and positively take up the challenge of working in different genres.

How do you want your work to be remembered?

In our contemporary world we are surrounded by a vast array of different objects. I want to continue creating things that stimulate people to ask how finished products acquire their present form and provide new perspectives, rather than simply choosing from among them. I hope that this approach can foster a more creative spirit by encouraging ordinary people not simply to make passive choices but to actually try to create things they need.

We will have the pleasure of having Torafu Architects present a talk about their work in the Herman Miller Store Tokyo at 7:00pm on January 20^th. For more details please contact info_storetokyo@hermanmiller.com