Felix Conran of Ha Partners was featured in the monthly special series "12 People Creating the Next" by local media outlet "colocal.jp."
Influenced by his grandfather, Sir Terence Conran, Felix harbored an admiration for Japan from a young age. He and his partner, Emily Smith, chose Higashiyoshino Village in Nara Prefecture as their new home. This small village, with a population of about 1,500, is known as a production area for branded timber such as Yoshino cedar and Yoshino cypress, and retains a pristine Japanese landscape surrounded by beautiful nature.
The move was prompted by a visit to Higashiyoshino Village while traveling in Japan in 2023. Drawn to its natural beauty, he immediately decided to live there.
Currently, Felix is based at Satellite Office Ogawa in Higashiyoshino Village, where he established the architectural design firm "HA PARTNERS" and is engaged in manufacturing and renovating old traditional Japanese houses. Products that leverage local resources are being created one after another, including tables made from single slabs of Yoshino cypress, playful designer furniture, and workspaces integrated with treadmills.
"Japanese traditional houses have a human-scale sense and a beauty that harmonizes with the village landscape," says Felix. He emphasizes a sense of unity with nature that cannot be replicated by computer design, and is passionate about breathing new life into old traditional houses.
He also says:
"How to balance tourism promotion, preservation of local culture, and community sustainability is a significant challenge. Rapid tourism can make a town lose its 'soul,' while too much resistance to change can lead to stagnation. Over the next few years, I want to work with the community to find answers."
To be continued in vol-2.
▼Read the article here:
12 people creating the next | colocal.jp