Work ends precisely at 6 PM. During work hours, everyone is thinking about what to do after 6 PM (laughs).

TerayamaAt that time, Richard Hutten’s office had only Richard himself, two staff members, and one intern.

The assignments were sudden. Richard would approach me and say, ‘Think about this for a bit. Present it tomorrow.’ It was always out of the blue (laughs). I’d think, ‘I wish you’d told me a little earlier…’ and I’d always end up pulling an all-nighter. Sometimes I’d get approval, sometimes not. It was tough.

YanagimotoDid you learn skills at Richard’s place?

TerayamaYes. I was mainly in charge of computer work. I made a lot of 3D models. I learned both ways of thinking and skills, but most importantly, I was able to observe Richard and the other staff working. That was significant.

Work ends precisely at 6 PM. During work hours, everyone is thinking about what to do after 6 PM (laughs).

YanagimotoIn the Netherlands, they are strict about time. When I visited a Dutch designer, they repeatedly used the word ‘quality,’ and time was included in that.

So, being even a minute early or late was unacceptable. Punctuality is quality. A car came to pick up this designer, and the timing was exact. The Netherlands might seem laid-back, but they are very precise. Also, although it’s much better now, Dutch food used to be not very good…

Speaking of meals, don't design offices in the Netherlands have lunch together?

Architects often use the expression ‘eating from the same pot.’

It’s said that Kenzo Tange also used to eat with his disciples. I think this style might have come to Japan from the Netherlands.

Japan’s modern architecture, like Tokyo Station, has learned a great deal from the Netherlands. Since I’ve also made frequent study trips there, I believe the style of communal office meals was also introduced from the Netherlands, not just architectural influences.

TerayamaThat’s true, we did eat together at the office there.

YanagimotoAt Piet Hein Eek’s studio, there was also a large jar of jam and a stack of bread. When it was lunchtime, everyone would gather at the table, pick up a piece of bread, and start eating.

TerayamaDutch people also don’t cook much. They’ll just have bread and cheese, or something simple to save money. Many are thrifty.

YanagimotoBut they spend money on their homes.

TerayamaThat’s right, for some reason (laughs). They live in homes that look like showrooms.

Every Day Felt Like Working on a Grand Scale

YanagimotoAfter Richard’s office, what led you to MVRDV (a group of architects based in Rotterdam, Netherlands)?

TerayamaRichard’s office received a commission to design a shopping mall. Given the large scale, MVRDV, with whom Richard was closely acquainted, took on the project. Since I had studied architecture in Japan, I was essentially seconded to their team.

YanagimotoHow was that experience?

TerayamaIt was interesting. They were running about eight international competitions simultaneously. The office dynamic was that the three principals from MVRDV would advise the staff as they worked. All three were fascinating thinkers. Every day felt like working on a grand scale.

YanagimotoReturning to our discussion about Eindhoven, besides Richard, did you receive influence from...Gijs Bakker?

TerayamaGijs was a great master, in a class of his own. He was incredibly strict. He also had very clear likes and dislikes regarding work; if he disliked a piece, he wouldn’t even listen during the presentation (laughs).

But if he liked something, he’d lean forward intently. My work was sometimes harshly criticized by Gijs, but once he approved of it, he even let me skip a grade level.

YanagimotoJürgen BeyWhat about him?

TerayamaHe was a wonderful teacher. He never said, ‘No, no.’ Instead, he’d ask, ‘Why did it turn out this way?’ He had a gentle demeanor but a sharp sensibility.

YanagimotoWhen talking with him, it felt too philosophical and I couldn’t quite grasp it (laughs). I couldn’t tell if he was making small talk or saying something profound; he was that intuitive.Hella JongeriusHow about her?

TerayamaHella was at Eindhoven when I was an intern.

I heard she was a strict teacher; more than two-thirds of the class didn't pass.


Norihiro Terayama
Designer. Graduated from Chuo Institute of Technology in 1998 and the Product Design Department of KIDI (Kanazawa International Design Institute) in 2001.
Enrolled in Design Academy Eindhoven the following year, undertaking internships at Studio Richard Hutten and MVRDV during his studies, graduating in 2006.
Established studio note in the same year.

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