In Profile:
ILYA CORPORATION

Name: Hiroshi Kawashima

Company Name: ILYA CORPORATION

Position Within Company: Deputy General Manager Interior Design Division

Website: https://www.ilya.co.jp/

Tell us a little about your background in design

I studied spatial design for four years at an art university in Japan.
During my time at university, I studied not only interior design but also graphic design, scenic design and other disciplines.
After graduating, I joined Kajima Corporation, where I spent six years in the Interior Design Department and a further six years in the Architectural Design Department.
In the Architectural Design Department, I was assigned to the hotel design team, where I gained expertise in planning and regulations specific to hotels. The opportunity to meet so many architects during this time has been a great asset to me.
I subsequently joined the Interior Design Department at ILYA.
Furthermore, I was based in Osaka for seven years to establish the ILYA Kansai Office (now ILYA WEST),
where I primarily worked on projects in the Kansai region.
I have now returned to ILYA’s head office and have been appointed Deputy Head of Department. Eighty per cent of the projects I oversee are hotels.
Whilst renovation projects used to be the norm, recently there has been an increase in new-build hotel projects,
and I am increasingly involved in managing these over the long term.

How would you describe your personal design style?

I believe my design style is shaped by a timeline that connects the past and the future.
Whilst I do not adhere to any fixed formula, I constantly draw inspiration from the historical significance of the past, the journey that has led us to the present, and the question of what we should leave behind for the future, transforming these elements into concrete designs.
In Japan, I specialise in the Modern Japanese style, which I hope you will understand as a style that fuses elements of the past with contemporary design to create new value and a vision for the future.
For this project, I have created a hotel that expresses ‘a high-quality, ordinary everyday life’ within a space of authentic French architecture. At first glance, this may seem the very opposite of a Japanese-style space.
However, by incorporating antique furniture and art steeped in history, whilst adding the necessary modern functionality,
this design is perfectly in line with the philosophy of this style. Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed being involved in this project. I always aim to create a worldview where a comforting sense of ‘being connected across time’ leads to a bright future.

Where does your design inspiration come from?

As a Japanese person, the concept of Japanese hospitality forms the foundation of my design philosophy.
The question of how to welcome people and bring them joy is crucial, and it serves as the very core of my work.
I am particularly influenced by the culture of “tea ceremony,” which engages all five senses to create a welcoming experience.
This culture flourished particularly during the Azuchi-Momoyama period, an era characterized by both a taste for simplicity and a penchant for flamboyance.
I overlay the specific conditions of each project as layers upon this core principle.
I extract the history and characteristics of each location, as well as the philosophies of those involved and the items cherished by the actual users, and seek out the essence of the design—both verbally and visually.
I believe this approach enables each project to take on a completely unique form of expression.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?

I believe we are moving toward a more sophisticated realm that combines two seemingly contradictory qualities: a presence capable of attracting a wider audience, and the charm and thoughtfulness needed to meet increasingly diverse individual needs and preferences.
I envision two distinct evolutions within this context.
One is the aspect that people actually find comfortable, easy to use, or attractive—in other words, the evolution of design as perceived through appearance and the so-called five senses.
The other is the design of a presence that supports comfort and functionality in ways people aren’t even aware of—the evolution of those crucial elements that underpin what people take for granted, the things they don’t usually pay attention to.
I believe design will evolve into a form where these two elements are blended in a perfect balance.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in the future

It’s a very difficult question, but if I were to name them, I would say the following five.
１）Connected Values (Timeline, Global, Resources)
The appeal of a timeline that connects the past, the present, and the future.
A culture in which countries and ethnicities can understand and respect one another.
Circular, long-life design grounded in the idea of coexistence—including the surrounding environment—and in the effective use of resources.

2) Balancing broad appeal with individual needs
A balance that combines “convenient, user-friendly comfort” with “the kind of inconvenience that offers a unique, never-before-experienced sense of intrigue,” in order to create a one-of-a-kind experience.

3) Region-specific appeal that combines comfortable functionality with opportunities for unknown experiences found within what people perceive as inconvenience (Local Journey)
A device designed to create a one-of-a-kind experience by combining “convenient, user-friendly comfort” with “a unique sense of intrigue that arises precisely from a touch of inconvenience—something guests have never experienced before,” while fully incorporating the region’s distinctive character and appeal.

4) Technology and Human Skills
・Striking a balance between the appeal of culture and traditions that have been passed down over time, and the pursuit of convenience through technology that does not cause guests to feel stressed.

5) An ambiguous presence that can’t be captured by a single definition
・Rather than doing predetermined things under predetermined conditions, it offers the appeal of flexible, ambiguous boundaries—within a certain framework, guests’ perspectives and ways of using it can freely expand or narrow. It’s a design that allows each guest’s individuality to be fully expressed through how they choose to use it.

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to designing, what would it be?

I say, “With the creation of spaces that are safe and provide peace of mind as a fundamental premise, what truly matters is sincerely committing ourselves to the effort of thinking ambitiously about how we can contribute to society going forward—and of actually making that happen.”

How important are The International Hotel & Property Awards?

In modern society, as the sharing of information becomes increasingly widespread, the importance of a designer’s individuality and talent is growing ever greater.
From a design perspective, advances in AI and innovations in computer graphics technology mean we are now in an era where the very value of designers is being called into question.
From a production perspective, rising labour costs and the progress of automation mean that the survival of the traditional skills possessed by craftspeople has become a challenge.
In both cases, I believe that the intuitive sensibilities cultivated through experience are often overlooked.
However, in reality, in an era where individual values are so fragmented, AI has clear strengths and weaknesses.
Mechanisation, too, is struggling to cope with such a diverse range of values.
In such times, I believe it is important to cherish and preserve our history and culture, whilst re-examining the value of design and constructing new forms of design.
I believe this award presents a wonderful opportunity not only to reaffirm the value of design, but also to re-examine our precious culture and history.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?

My goal is to approach everything with even greater sincerity than before and to deepen my understanding of various phenomena.
Any lack of knowledge will inevitably be reflected in my designs.
Therefore, I believe that the key to improving the quality of my designs lies in how much necessary knowledge, experience, and understanding I can acquire.
To achieve this, I intend to engage with a broader range of fields, deepen my interactions with people from various disciplines and around the world, and, amidst this cultural diversity, reflect deeply on my own convictions and how I can contribute to society.
I intend to devote myself wholeheartedly to this pursuit.
In a sense, perhaps what I have aimed for and put into practice since the moment I decided to become a designer has not changed. Nevertheless, I intend to press forward with this endeavor.

Your most treasured possession?

It originally belonged to my ancestors, who were in the business of dealing in swords, and it has been passed down to me. The sword itself is not large, but I believe it carries many meanings within it.
I feel very fortunate to be able to sense my lineage and to feel the blessings of the past close to me. At the same time, I also value living in a way that would not bring shame upon my ancestors.
I believe that cherishing this flow from the past is reflected in the way I think today, and it also informs my design.
Although a sword is, of course, a weapon, it may now have become the very source of my desire to cherish my family’s smiles and to pursue designs that can bring smiles to people in the world.

Your favourite holiday destination?

It may sound a bit paradoxical, but I’ve visited Bali, Indonesia, many times because it’s a place where I can find peace of mind while also receiving all kinds of creative inspiration.
Bali is rich in nature, and the local deities are still cherished and remain a living part of people’s daily lives.
There is a sense that something invisible is alive there, and I believe it is a great place to sharpen one’s senses.
I think one reason is that it is a place where I feel comfortable engaging in the act of using my own sensibilities to imagine something—
something that varies from person to person—without relying solely on sight.

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?

There are many charming hotels around the world, but in terms of the one that has
had the greatest impact on me, I would like to mention the PARK HYATT TOKYO in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
Although it has undergone some renovations, its striking design never feels dated, even after decades, and I remember longing to stay there when I was young and stretching my budget to do so. Even now, its charm remains undiminished, its presence is outstanding, and it is a hotel where one cannot help but feel the power of interior design.
The lounge you encounter as soon as you step out of the elevator, and the library located along the path to the guest rooms, are incredibly symbolic and feature wonderful designs that lift one’s spirits.
It’s a place where simply being inside the hotel makes you feel incredibly happy—truly a place where you can savor the very essence of a hotel.
Even now, when I want to reflect on design, I sometimes make a point of visiting.
That alone speaks to how much the space itself influences people.
It’s a hotel with a mysterious presence that always lingers in the back of my mind
when I’m designing hotels.
The bar and restaurant are also facilities within the same hotel.
I believe the sense of status you feel when using these facilities is unmatched by any other.
I enjoy the thoughtfully curated space down to the smallest details, especially since a friend of mine is responsible for the hotel’s flower arrangements.

Your favourite book, film & song?

My favorite book is *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*. It’s a historical novel featuring many heroes, each with their own memorable moments, and it’s very dramatic.
Furthermore, it is a very intriguing book, as it can also serve as a reference when I find myself in difficult situations.

My favorite movie is the 1982 film *Blade Runner*. Even though it was made over 40 years ago, its vision of the near future is captivating, and I feel a sense of freshness that still resonates today. In some ways, it feels as though this vision is finally starting to come to life, which I think is wonderful. You could say this is a film that makes you believe that even if something doesn’t exist right now, as long as we can imagine it, it will surely become a reality in the future.
Of course, I also like Japanese anime such as “Demon Slayer.”
I hear it’s become very popular worldwide recently.
As a Japanese person, that makes me happy.

My favorite song is Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal.”
I think the music video—which seamlessly blends singing, dancing, and storytelling—is captivating to people of all ages.
Once you’ve seen it, the imagery stays with you, and as you listen to the song, your imagination runs wild. In that sense, I feel that even though it’s a piece of music, it possesses a worldview that transcends the genre and embodies a comprehensive art form.
This year, a film was made about Michael Jackson’s story, and that also makes me very happy.

Your favourite food and drink?

I’m not particularly good at holding my liquor, but I do enjoy drinking.
Because of my line of work, I often find myself visiting hotel restaurants and bars, and I’ve noticed that hotel bar menus sometimes feature original cocktails—like ones named after the hotel itself or after local places.
I really enjoy drinking those kinds of original cocktails.
Rather than having a specific favorite flavor, I think it just suits my personality to enjoy the atmosphere and the moment, including the taste.
When I visited Singapore, I stopped by the Raffles Hotel because I really wanted to try a Singapore Sling, but unfortunately, it was undergoing renovations at the time, which was a real letdown.
I’ll eat anything as long as it’s delicious, but I’m particularly fond of takoyaki, which I learned to make when I lived in Osaka. I eat it out, of course, but I also use a takoyaki maker that a colleague gave me when I moved back to Tokyo from Osaka to make it at home from time to time.

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?

I enjoy taking a sauna and a bath after working out at the gym.
It’s a great way to clear my mind and shift my perspective.
By restoring the balance between body and mind, I often find myself able to think more freely, free from preconceived notions and unnecessary constraints.
I consider this time essential both as a person and as a designer.

If you weren’t in this sector, what would your alternative profession be?

If I hadn’t become an interior designer, I think I would have aspired to be a painter.
There was a novel I read when I was a student that featured black-and-white illustrations. Those illustrations depicted a monochrome world, but the shadows were rendered so effectively that they really sparked my imagination. They were the work of an artist named Noriyoshi Ohrai.
Of course, the novel itself was interesting, but even after I finished reading it, the impression of how cool those illustrations were lingered. That’s what led me to aim for art school.
Although what I studied in college was spatial design, not fine art per se.
Because of that, I’ve continued painting to this day, and it’s led to me being fortunate enough to have opportunities to create art for hotels.
I think this is also why I always envision light within a space.
Also, though it’s a completely different world, I love history, so I might have ended up working in a field related to history.
In any case, when I’m not immersed in the world of design and art, I spend a lot of time engaging with history.
This interest in history helps me when I’m developing design concepts and refining them during the design process.

Anything else interesting?

As an artist specializing in historical figures and history-related motifs, I have opened a gallery on Instagram.
Through my work as an artist, I have also been fortunate to have opportunities to collaborate with the present-day descendants of historical figures. These descendants often give lectures on history and engage in activities to revitalize their local communities. I support such initiatives by contributing through art.
Just as in interior design, I find happiness in being able to contribute to society through my work.