A House Manufacturer Proposing Premium Residences, Born from Responding to User Needs

—Since the earthquake, terms like 'region' and 'community' have become more prominent. Mitsui Home values these aspects and has long incorporated them into its home-building philosophy. What are the characteristics of Mitsui Home's 'home building that nurtures regional living environments'?

Let's go back a bit in time. After World War II, Japanese house manufacturers were tasked with addressing the housing shortage. Driven by a shared desire to supply more homes quickly, both as manufacturers and as part of national policy, prefabricated manufacturers emerged.

Subsequently, as housing in Japan matured, the mission of house manufacturers like ourselves also evolved.

Particularly after the Great East Japan Earthquake, we came to believe that understanding buildings, and housing in particular, within the 'context of the town' became crucial, alongside our mission of 'homes that live on through generations.'

When people continuously plant flowers, their neighbors tend to plant more flowers too. It is said that as flowers increasingly bloom in a town, crime decreases. We believe that buildings, including homes, can have such a positive impact on the local community, and we have built numerous residences with this conviction. However, home building based on this concept is not yet mainstream.

—It seems that the bird's-eye perspective of the 'town' is reflected not only in the architecture but also in the exterior design, going beyond simply building a house. What kind of teams are involved in your home building at Mitsui Home?

The basic team consists of a project leader, an architect, an interior designer, and an exterior designer. If there are specific requests, such as 'I want to improve the air conditioning within the building' or 'I want a soundproof room or an audio room,' we also bring in specialists for those areas.

To ensure that the increased number of people involved does not burden the client, our project leader takes the lead in directing all aspects of the project. It is through these strong relationships with both internal and external experts that we can realize our clients' visions, allowing them to experience both 'security' and 'freedom' in their home building journey.

Commissioning a renowned architect for residential design often implies 'buying the architect's individuality.' However, for clients who choose a house manufacturer like ours, it's closer to 'buying an organization.' I believe those who are strongly motivated to commit to their family's lifestyle find merit in this approach.

Page02.Proven Techniques That Maximize the Strengths of Wood

Proven Techniques That Maximize the Strengths of Wood

—'Safety' is a concern for users in home building. It is said that since its establishment, none of the homes built by Mitsui Home have suffered complete or partial collapse due to earthquakes. This is attributed to their proven seismic resistance technology. Could you elaborate on this?

Fundamentally, the homes we propose use 'wood' as the structural material. While there are many options for housing materials, such as wood, brick, steel, and concrete, we believe wood is the optimal material for individual residences of two or three stories.

In terms of strength and flexibility, wood possesses ideal properties for housing materials. However, instead of using wood as is, we achieve high seismic resistance by combining 'Premium Monocoque Construction,' which integrates advanced scientific technology with proprietary materials. Furthermore, wood contributes to CO2 reduction and is a renewable resource, aligning with our corporate policy.

—We would also like to see some examples. We've heard that the 'Nostalgic Modern Style,' characterized by its distinctive Tudor-style exterior, is popular. Could you tell us about the background and features of this series?

North America faces considerably harsh natural environments, from the Arctic Circle to deserts and subtropical humid regions, yet the history of homes there proves that wood can withstand these conditions. This implies that homes made of wood can outlast the lifespan of a family. There is no need to rebuild every 20 years or so.

However, in Japan, as generations change, families face shifts in their composition and lifestyles. To accommodate these changes, it is necessary to be able to flexibly alter spaces. This requires separating the 'skeleton'—the structural frame including the foundation—from the 'infill'—such as utilities, finishes, and interior walls. Our 'Premium Monocoque Construction' makes this possible.

While appearing as a classic Western-style home, it fuses the traditional Tudor style with modern elements like large openings. This is achievable thanks to the latest technology. The spaciousness is made possible by the highest levels of insulation and airtightness. Despite its traditional exterior, it is, in fact, a high-tech house. We also incorporate design trends and authenticity, such as the use of green walls.

—Homes that are loved across generations and can adapt to changing lifestyles align with your concept of 'aging beautifully,' don't they?

Page03.The Vision of Connecting People, Homes, and Towns Embodied in a New Style

The Vision of Connecting People, Homes, and Towns Embodied in a New Style

—A new style collection, 'Modern Rococo Style,' is being announced. What are its key features?

This design is the antithesis of 'Nostalgic Modern,' but the underlying concept is the same. Based on the universal elements of the Rococo style popular in 18th-century France, we have eliminated color and established white as the foundation, allowing it to naturally blend with contemporary lifestyles.

The power of time-tested details is evident in how the structure, floor, arches, and stairs alone can create a captivating space, even when all furniture is removed. This has been proven over time.

We felt that combining decorative spaces with modern furniture would create a new sense of premium, which led to this concept. We hope these spaces will function as gathering places for people to interact, much like the 'salons' of 17th-century Europe.

—Finally, could you share your future outlook?

By responding to the needs of a wide range of users, we hope that the homes we build will contribute to the local scenery and foster a richer emotional landscape, much like how planting flowers can transform a neighborhood.

—Thank you very much.