Tomohiro Horibe

Specialized in Furniture Design.

Tomohiro Horibe

About Tomohiro Horibe

TOMOHIRO HORIBE is first-class licensed Architect, product designer and company president of his own building material selling company. Born in Japan 1969 and studied Architect at Tokyo Metropolitan University. First career was condominium design at construction company for 5 years. Second career was product development and product design at Log Home building company for 8 years, and lived in Vancouver of Canada 3 years at that time. During construction business career total more than 13 years, learned about building material a lot. Established Material World in 2006 that is building material selling company in Japan. Many of selling products are very unique and special item because not selling regular item, but selling original producing items. Not only product design, but also packaging design, product name, brochure design, lighting done by own. Loves recycled material, natural products, and brand new ideas.

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Furniture Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs
  • Furniture
Brooklyn Laundreel Laundry belt indoor

Brooklyn Laundreel Laundry belt indoor

Furniture Design

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Interview with Tomohiro Horibe

Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
I studied architecture at university and got a job as a designer at a general contractor. Even back then, I was interested in manufacturing as a designer.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
My company is called Time & Garden, and we sell original design building materials under the brand name Material World.
What is "design" for you?
Design is a unique way to differentiate yourself from others, a means to solve problems, and an important thing that satisfies people's hearts.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
I am interested in product design, which involves recycling or upcycling things that have previously been thrown away or not been put to good use, to create something new.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
It is my latest design, a wall material made from scrap wood from furniture and joinery factories. It is a thin, delicate and beautiful French herringbone style panel unit that can be easily installed.
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
Switch & plug outlet cover plate, it’s called’Tokyo Jacket’. It has 2 layers Acrylic and Aluminum.
When do you feel the most creative?
I've never been particularly conscious of it, but sometimes an idea that I've been thinking about and worrying about for a long time suddenly takes shape.
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
I would like to create something new, something interesting, something different from others. I would say it’s Inquisitive.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
AI would create almost everything in the future. Each designer has to have their own identity which is not copied easily by AI. However it should not be selfish .
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
Almost everything in my daily life. Movies, magazines, fashion, food, photography, packaging, etc..
Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
I live in Japan near Tokyo. My office is in Tokyo. Japanese customers are the most picky people in the world. Quality should be perfect always. It’s teaching me to think about not only just design but also how to make it. Also Japanese houses are so small, it should be compact and easy to install. However, it’s sometimes to much, it makes more rejection material.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
I travel often, and getting inspiration and feeling different atmospheres, and I could get so many ideas.
Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
Decide on a theme for the day and then go out, shape, color, materials, etc.. For example, if you decide today’s theme is ‘blue’, you should carefully check blue. You should check every blue items or prints or fashion, even food and so on. Then, you will realize it more deeply.
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
AI will be more powerful and stronger than us. However AI could not copy everything. One of impossible AI can’t copy is our design process. Not only finish product, we had better to open our design process or story as our advantage.
What skills are most important for a designer?
Difficult question, maybe Aesthetic sense and sensibility are important.
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
Taking pictures a lot. Then sorting by material, colors, items, etc.. Just like Pinterest.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
Not only in Japan, but also in other countries I would like to do business.

Extended Interview with Tomohiro Horibe

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
以下のようにアカデミックなインタビュー回答に適した英語に翻訳しました。論理的でフォーマルな表現に整えています。 ⸻ After graduating from the Department of Architecture at Tokyo Metropolitan University, I began my career at Mitsui Construction Co., Ltd., a first-section listed company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, where I spent five years engaged in the design of condominium projects. Subsequently, I joined RC Core Co., Ltd., Japan’s leading log-house company with the number-one market share, where I worked in the product development division for eight years. Through this career path, I was able to experience the two extremes of residential architecture in the Japanese market—ranging from condominiums to log cabins— which has provided me with a broad and multifaceted perspective on architectural design.
How did you become a designer?
I was deeply captivated by architecture, and through my work in architectural design, my interests gradually expanded toward the very elements that shape the built environment—such as construction materials, furniture, interior design, and finishing materials.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
I believe that by pursuing my passions, curiosity, spirit of inquiry, and ambition to their fullest, I ultimately found my way to the field of design, with a particular focus on architecture and product development.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
I am particularly interested in raw materials that are non-chemical in nature, such as recycled and upcycled resources, natural materials, and solid wood. My work focuses on transforming discarded elements—such as offcuts and waste materials—into new value through the power of design. I seek to create and utilize products that embody the origins, context, and narrative of the material itself, resulting in designs that carry a compelling story.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
do not consider myself an exceptional designer; however, I firmly believe that design can serve as a means to address the challenges people face in everyday life. By repeatedly engaging in the process of shaping solutions through my own methodology, I believe that a unique personal style will naturally emerge over time.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
I believe that truly excellent design is not defined by temporary trends, but by creations that can be cherished for a long time. I also consider a design to be outstanding if it compels people to share it with others.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
I believe that the essence of design lies in an iterative process of prototyping, in which functions are tested and experienced firsthand, then continuously refined. A commitment to never compromising, even on the smallest details, allows for millimeter-level adjustments that ultimately generate a form of appeal that cannot be captured by numerical values alone.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Truly outstanding design enriches our daily lives, offering both convenience and emotional fulfillment. Objects that serve only a functional purpose, no matter how convenient, cannot satisfy the heart.
What is your day to day look like?
I aspire to engage not only with individual components or buildings, but with larger-scale endeavors—such as area development, landscape design, and urban planning—projects that carry broader influence and meaningful social impact.

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