Our clients some stories of building their lovely homes with us.
If I were to build a villa, there is no one else I could think of but Ms Ogoshi. Or rather, it was because of Ms Ogoshi that I felt like building a villa.
The sun is too bright in the afternoon to see much of the ocean here, but it’s the best time in the evening when the scenery starts to turn orange. As the sea and sky turn red, and you watch the sunset, the dimmable lighting comes into play. The play of light on the walls by plasterer Kusumi-san are further enhanced by the subtle lighting and the setting sun.
There are ways to enjoy this place in each season, such as drinking a beer while sitting in the Patricia Urquiola chair and watching the flickering fire. There is a hobby room on the first floor, a relaxing deck on the second floor, a circular bathtub, a counter in the bedroom facing the sea, and the use of the sliding doors allows you to feel the breeze and make the room feel spacious.
Ms Ogoshi uses her extensive knowledge of architecture and interior design to propose designs that matched our tastes, and always made sure we, the client, were her focus.
The most important thing I want to convey is that after completion, there were no moments of regrets, such as “Was this the design?” or “I wasn’t told about this”. The accumulation of small meetings plays a big role in the satisfaction after delivery. I was really lucky to have met Ms Ogoshi and to have been able to create a building that I am very satisfied with.
Since our project, Ms Ogoshi has won several international awards, and now I can see why this is the kind of person who goes on to become successful on the world stage.
I saw Ogoshi’s work “Taura Weekend House” on her website, and it was very close to the spatial concept I had in mind, so I asked her to do the planning and interior design. The process of touring the wide variety of showrooms together, touching all kinds of things, expanding on my ideas and images, and bringing the concept image to life as a very fresh and enjoyable experience. Since I was always in the passenger seat and Ogoshi the driver, I felt at ease in saying what I wanted and moving forward.
Although Ms Ogoshi lived far away at the time, we also had online meetings and the project proceeded without any problems. Every space has enriched our lifestyle, from the step-down and atrium living room with ocean view and a large painting, to the open and functional kitchen, to the bedroom with a combined bath, toilet, washbasin and closet.
What made the biggest impression on me was that at the very last moment, we changed the real fireplace we had planned to an Eco Smart Fire. It we had gone for a real fire based on our own ideals we would have regretted it. We were grateful that Ms Ogoshi made the decision based on our lifestyle. People who visit the house say ,“The quality is so hight that it’s hard to believe it’s the first house he’s built”. We were impressed by Ms Ogoshi’s uncompromising attention to detail.
I was looking for a skilled architect and the reason I decided on RON Design without meeting many others was because they also specialise in interior design.
I was impressed by the way the defined my favourite colour as “Marsala” and expanded on the idea from there – and the way they skilfully proposed ideas based on an accurate understanding of the differences in tasted between myself and my wife. They also created a story for the fusion with the existing architecture (the family home and garden), and the whole site became one, resulting in a wonderful result beyond our imagination.
What I remember most fondly are the actual texture and materials of the interior when we were allowed to tour Taura’s weekend home, determining the axis of the spatial layout, my shocking encounter with the art of Kusumi’s walls, and when we were having trouble deciding on a pillar for the alcove in the Japanese-style room, Ogoshi-san went to look for one deep in the snowy mountains of Kishu.
Other notable points include how the flow of movement has been smoothed, drastically reducing stress in daily life, how the insulation keeps the house cool in the summer, and how the opening and closing of the doors and windows are well thought out so as not to interfere with other items.
The tenacity of the Ryoko &Hiromi duo was impressive; they never gave up. They were also reassuring in their negotiations with the government, and before we knew it we felt like we were working together on the construction of our house, rather than just leaving the work to them. We are also surprised by Ms Ogoshi’s knowledge of construction in general and materials and the breadth of her network of contractors.
When I open the door to the man cave and show visitors around, they cheer and it makes me very happy to hear them say, “This house is just like you” - it makes me feel even more attached to the house.
I requested to renovate a 17-year-old 3LDK apartment.
The time I spent working on the plan with Ms.Ogoshi was full of surprises and excitement, and I realized that there is a theory behind “a wonderful space that suits your tastes” and that it can only be realized by following that theory. She is an architect who is a professional in interior design and art direction, and who can propose a home in its entirety. It was a particularly refreshing experience to have her create furniture and carpets with original designs. When I invite friends to my home and tell them the story of how this carpet was made, or how this cabinet was made in collaboration with this object, I feel a little proud ( In recent years, Ms. Ogoshi has won a series of international awards, which has added luster to my pride in my home! lol). A wonderful space with a sense of unity has been realized not only in the luxury residences designed by RON DESIGN, but also in my 3LDK apartment space. I think that is due to Ms. Ogoshi's personality.
I asked RON Design to design the interior of my first home, a newly built apartment.
The first questions included the colours of the clothes we own, our favourite brands, memorable places and stories, and it was impressive how these were ultimately reflected in the interior design and art.
Ogoshi-san has a deep knowledge, high level of technique, wide repertoire, attention to detail, and warmth as a person. I felt that this was what they were able to achieve with the interior design of an apartment. Although we were short on time and feeling anxious, they were very kind and sincere in their approach, listening carefully to our requests and giving us a variety of options. They made suggestions based on our budget, not profit, and were very considerate in their response.
In my new home, I'm surrounded by my favourite things and colours, and no matter where I am in the house, I feel so loved and cute, and it makes me really happy. I realize that living in a home with so many stories and filled with things I love down to the last detail makes for such a happy start to the day.
Despite receiving numerous awards, whenever I meet Ms Ogoshi, she is humble and warm, and I respect her very much. If there is another opportunity, I will definitely ask her to help me.
In 2015 Ryoko came to study in London on an intensive interior design course at The Interior Design School.
It turned out to be an extraordinary few weeks that changed her life and career. Prior to her trip she was a very capable and practical architect. During her trip she realised that interior design is a fundamental aspect of architecture and totally embraced the London design scene to learn as much as possible on her intensive trip.
On her return to Japan she refocused her career to be an interior architect – able to produce unique new-build residential designs – and now has a series of substantial projects in her portfolio.
Not only did Ryoko learn the design process, but she was immersed in the broad scope of interior design suppliers and inspirational spaces. The cultural difference was a big surprise to her, realising that London is the global centre of design.
As a student, Ryoko was fabulous to teach. She was dedicated and open-minded to the guidance of the tutors and said afterwards that her eyes were opened. She enjoyed being pushed and challenged to develop her skills and imagination.
As Ryoko says, her career as an interior architect started in London. She will never stop being curious, learning and developing new skills and knowledge.