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In Profile:
PhD Inc.

Kodou Residence

by PhD Inc.

Shortlisted: Luxury Residence - Asia Pacific Award

The International Design & Architecture Awards 2025

IDA 2025
PhD Inc

Name: Yayoi Suetsugu
Company Name: PhD Inc.
Position Within Company: Founder & Creative Director
Website: https://www.phd-inc.jp/

Tell us a little about your background in design:
At the Christian Fischbacher showroom (now FISCHBACHER 1819), surrounded by the finest European fabrics, engaged in high-quality window treatments (curtains, cushions, bed linens, and other interior design work) for both professionals and general clients.
Later, after gaining diverse career experiences, became skilled in proposing comprehensive interior design, including architectural planning and kitchen design.

1992: Joined Japan Fischbacher Co., Ltd. (now known as FISCHBACHER 1819), a renowned Swiss company specializing in curtains and home textiles.
1994: Joined B-West Co., Ltd., an import company specializing in building materials for American and Canadian homes.
1997: Planned designs for imported Canadian kitchens.
1998: Obtained qualifications as an Interior Coordinator and Kitchen Specialist.
2002:Joined a company specializing in custom kitchens (“Kitchen Planning”).
2003: Engaged in the design, planning, construction, and management of custom kitchens and built-in furniture. – Obtained the Second-Class Architect qualification.
2008: Founded Boite-de-bijou office.
2009: Registered as an architect office.
2013: Became a member of the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID), one of the world’s most prestigious organizations in the field.

How would you describe your personal design style?:
I value design with the best in terms of detail and quality that also possesses casual elegance. This is why I make sure my designs include wonderful materials and skilled craftsmanship that is optimal for each location.
My hope is that my work will gently place a bit of the spirit I l0ve so much about my homeland of Japan within the hearts of those living in the spaces I design.

Where does your design inspiration come from?
Human Power and Balance By fully utilizing my own sensibilities and experiences, I strive not only for harmony in spatial beauty but also for meaningful relationships between all elements surrounding the client. I carefully assess the overall balance of the project and guide it toward a refined and comfortable design—this is the core of my creative approach.
With a deep understanding of what the client desires, I thoughtfully incorporate their expectations while going beyond them, presenting sophisticated details and quality that resonate.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?:
From the perspective of the SDGs, environmental considerations are becoming increasingly important, and the use of renewable and recycled materials has become the norm. Furthermore, energy-efficient designs and smart home technologies are being introduced to create sustainable living environments. Designs that utilize natural materials and furniture/interior products that incorporate waste reduction measures are gaining popularity, and the entire design industry is moving toward adapting to a “circular society.”

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in the future. :
Designs that consider the users.
Healthy and senior-friendly designs.
Designs adaptable to climate change.
Environmentally conscious designs.
Designs that bring happiness to future generations.

PhD Inc.
PhD Inc.
PhD Inc.
PhD Inc

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to designing, what would it be?:
Having curiosity about everything and experiencing things firsthand—feeling them with all senses—becomes the driving force behind creating great design.

How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards?
The International Design & Architecture Awards are important because they celebrate excellence in design and architecture on a global scale. Winning or being shortlisted is not just an achievement—it’s a motivation to create even better designs that positively impact people and spaces.

What projects are you currently working on?:
The projects I work on vary greatly in scale and scope. Some involve designing interiors for newly built high-rise condominiums, while others focus on simple renovations such as replacing wallpaper in existing homes.
At the moment, I am working on a custom-built furniture piece for pets. Specifically, I am designing a large 3.6-meter-wide sliding gate made of iron, aiming to create a living space where people and their pets can coexist comfortably.

What was your favourite project to work on and why?
One of the most memorable projects I have worked on was designing and delivering a trailer house. Seeing the completed structure moving through the urban streets during the delivery process was particularly striking. The sight of a fully built home traveling through the city captivated onlookers, prompting expressions of surprise and fascination.

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?:
The most challenging project I worked on was ‘KODOU Residence,’ which I submitted for this award.
The client possessed an exceptional sense of aesthetics in interior design, requiring me to propose ideas that surpassed their already refined vision. Furthermore, The complexity of architectural structures and equipment integration made the design modifications significantly more demanding than standard changes for high-rise apartments.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?:
The materials used for overall interior design, custom-built furniture, and water-related facilities serve as the foundation of space creation. Additionally, fabrics and lighting fixtures are essential elements that define the quality of a space.
For the finishing touches, incorporating art, acoustics, scents, tableware, cutlery, plants, and flowers harmonizes the environment, creating a sophisticated and multidimensional space. By paying close attention to every detail, an interior can transform into an emotionally moving and truly beautiful experience.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
I want to harness the potential of art, which has yet to be fully embraced in Japan, and incorporate it into spatial design. My aim is to take inspiration from art to create innovative and bold interior design projects.

Your most treasured possession?
My most treasured possession is the people in my life.

Your favourite holiday destination?
My favorite holiday destinations are those overseas, where I can experience different cultures and landscapes.

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?
Hotel: Hoshino Resorts (Japan)
Restaurant: Tsumugi Kitchen (Japan)
Bar: INTERVALS Sky Bar & Restaurant (Hong Kong)

Your favourite food and drink?
Food: Hitsumabushi
Drink: Sake (Japanese Rice Wine)

If you weren’t in this sector, what would you alternative profession be?
There is no alternative—I cannot imagine being anything other than an interior designer.

Anything else interesting?
I have taken over the care of bonsai that my aging father has nurtured for over 30 years, tending to them in his place.
Additionally, I use the plums harvested from our garden to make plum wine.

PhD Inc
PhD Inc

Interior Designer: Yayoi Suetsugu

Architect: Yayoi Suetsugu

PhD Inc. has been shortlisted for Luxury Residence – Asia Pacific Award in The International Design & Architecture Awards 2025.

PhD Inc.
PhD Inc.

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