Naoki Terada
- Architect and Designer
- Founder of Terada Design Architects
- Professor at Musashino Art University
1. Among all the submissions this year, what standout features have caught your focus the most (e.g., material innovation, smart technology, design philosophy, sustainable practices)?
I felt that the majority of the products were environmentally conscious. In fact, sustainability was so prevalent that we evaluated the works on the assumption that environmental consideration was already a given.
2. This is your first time serving as a jury member for the interzum guangzhou Award. What do you think of this award program, and what is the most important criterion you value when scoring the entries?
There were many entries focused on technologies, mechanisms, and materials, and some of them were difficult to judge. In the future, I would like to see more submissions that translate these elements into final products through design.
3. From your perspective, what unique directions of innovation or philosophical approaches do you see in furniture design and manufacturing in Asia today? Are these approaches reflected in this year’s award entries?
Asia has long served as a low-cost production base for European furniture manufacturers, but I believe this situation cannot continue indefinitely due to cost-related issues. It is time to leverage the technologies that have been cultivated over the years and express unique values through products, rather than simply following Europe. However, I did not strongly sense this in this year’s submissions.
4. Regarding sustainable design, Japan and Asia often emphasize concepts like “long-term use” and “harmony with nature.” How do you think these regional cultural values influence the global furniture industry’s path toward sustainability?
While the furniture business tends to move towards fast-fashion-like consumption, I feel that Japanese and broader Asian cultural values are no longer seen in Europe as mere exoticism, but are increasingly recognized and understood as philosophies and value systems centered on coexistence with nature.
5. As a jury member, you are not just selecting winners but also sending signals to the entire industry. Beyond recognizing excellence, what is one specific, actionable signal or call to action you hope the outcomes of this award will send to manufacturers, designers, and brands worldwide?
I believe furniture and interior products are durable consumer goods. Rather than chasing short-term trends, manufacturers, brands, and designers should express their own convictions through their products and propose items that will be loved for a long time. I believe this will ultimately contribute to building a more sustainable society.
