Interview

I am currently the head of the Planning Department, and I have been part of the department since I joined the company. At first, I assisted my supervisor with tasks such as preparing documents, but now I am involved from the planning stage as the main planner, proposing the scale and content of projects to support business decisions.

After graduating from university, I initially worked at a general contractor, and later joined Gendai Sogo Design. I was looking for an environment where I could focus more on design, and that’s how I came across this company. When I actually joined, I noticed that many people had strong personalities, but I realized that it meant they were very dedicated and passionate about their work. Looking back, that left a particularly strong impression on me.

Many of our company’s projects involve costs in the tens or hundreds of millions of yen, so there is always pressure that comes with handling projects of such scale. In particular, when significant issues arise during the design process, those moments leave a strong impression. Facing such challenges becomes an unforgettable experience.

Architecture involves a complex mix of factors, including legal regulations, client requirements, and construction conditions. Rather than trying to include everything at once, I aim to create proposals that may look simple at first glance but have successfully addressed many challenges. When a client is pleased with such a proposal, I feel a great sense of reward. In those moments, there’s a real joy in seeing my ideas take shape exactly as I envisioned.

The work in architecture is very diverse, so it never gets boring. There’s always something new to learn, and I can feel my own growth on a daily basis. Additionally, the organization continues to bring in new talent, and it’s enjoyable to watch the younger members grow. I think having that kind of environment is what allows me to continue working here with enthusiasm.

Of course, having extensive architectural knowledge is valuable, but above all, we look for people who truly love architecture and can keep thinking about it continuously. As you get used to the work, it can naturally become routine or mechanical, but it’s really great when someone keeps asking themselves, ‘How can this be made better?’ while moving forward.