Bond Design Studio have been shortlisted for 2 Categories in The International Hotel and Property Awards 2021.

Name: Ryoichi Niwata
Company: Bond Design Studio
Position within company: CEO/Principal Designer
Website: https://bondstudio.jp/

Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)
Niwata graduated from Musashino Art University of Interior Architectural Design. After which he worked under Super Potato for 13 years. When he was still working for Super Potato, most of his projects are food & beverage outlet interior, which he finds his strongest suit.

How would you describe your personal interior design style?
Niwata’s interior design style is strongly grounded to the locale’s culture. He considers social significance as his main priority in every design that he does, and is very sensitive of how his design would affect the people who will be using it. The company’s name is the evident representation of his interior design style – to “Bond” and unify people, culture, and sensibilities.

Where does your design inspiration come from?
Niwata’s design inspiration comes from the unique qualities of the country that his project is situated, may it be its people, their religion, food, lifestyle, basically any valuable things that each country offers. But for Hyatt Centric Kanazawa, his design inspiration is rooted from the antique shops that he visited in the place, where he found a lot of scraps that sparked essence for him, and he deemed necessary to be re-beautified for everyone to enjoy. He seeks inspiration from usual things that others tend to overlook and neglect, then re-imagine it in his designs where everyone will take notice and recognize.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
For Niwata, design has been moving towards a more diverse and universal design style. He hopes while being diverse, design will also be more specific and targeted. In this way, designs can be more practical, functional and useful, more than just a glorified space.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2020 and beyond.
The five key themes that Niwata considers when approaching design are:
It should be conceptual
It should tell a meaningful story
It should have a regard for history, culture and tradition
It should be user-centred
And timeless

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to interior design schemes, what would it be?
Niwata’s one piece of advice is that the design has to touch the hearts of the guests and its people.

How important are The International Hotel & Property Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?
The International Hotel & Property Awards are one-of a kind design award platform that is fair and is considerate of the design professionals. As we know, in the design industry, it is very difficult to establish credible design, especially in today’s generation, and through The International Hotel & Property Awards, who are one of the established design awards giving body, it gives all design firms convenient opportunity to let their talents be known and be regarded with quality.

What projects are you currently working on?
Bond Design Studio is currently working with: Shangri-La, Mandarin Oriental and Hyatt Centric.

What was your favourite project to work on and why?
Niwata’s favorite project would be Shangri-La Singapore, as it was his first entire hotel design venture, and bonus to that, he won The International Hotel & Property Awards 2018 through that project.

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?
For Niwata, all projects that he handled has been very challenging in different aspects, but he’s equally driven and dedicated to face those challenges. 

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?
Niwata really values strong artisan skills that he especially needs for his collaborated manufacturers and fabricators. He admired them greatly and they are the important services he cannot live without when designing.

Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:
Your most treasured possession?
His family and friends
Your favourite holiday destination?
Nature discovery and staycation