Keiji Kadota
Keiji Kadota is a Japanese architect and interior designer who founded UNC STUDIO in 2020, following his architectural studies and experience at architecture and interior design firms. Working across interiors, architecture, and furniture, he pursues a thoughtful exploration of natural materials, seeking to create lasting character through simple interventions. His designs develop through an understanding of each site, conversations with clients, and close collaboration with craftspeople, with bespoke furniture often forming an integral part of the space.
An early project, Loose Kyoto, helped shape this approach through hand-selected timber, a restrained material palette, and custom-designed benches and tables. At CHALLE, Kadota brought Japanese and Mexican influences together within a traditional Kyoto machiya, using a deep crimson finish made from persimmon tannin and red iron oxide. These projects reflect his interest in the expressive possibilities of materials and in giving existing spaces a new purpose while preserving their architectural memory.
“I believe that creating with conviction is the most important thing.”
INTERVIEW
Loose Kyoto © Takumi Ota
After studying architecture at university and working at architectural and interior design firms, I founded “UNC STUDIO,” a studio dedicated to the design of interiors, architecture, and furniture.
“Loose Kyoto,” the first café designed after establishing UNC STUDIO in 2020, represents the project where we engaged most deeply with materials and underwent the most extensive trial and error.
We hand-selected the timber piece by piece at the lumberyard and composed the space by applying only subtle modifications to a minimal palette of materials. Eschewing off-the-shelf furniture, we custom-designed the benches and tables ourselves.
The result was a space that possessed a unique character and exceeded our expectations. Since then, we have continued to place a strong emphasis on engaging deeply with materials in our projects.
I believe that by paying close attention to the balance between the use of natural materials and the design, we can create unique designs. I also believe that challenging myself every time will lead to my own growth.
My studio mainly deals with interior design. The materials used in the spaces we design are simple, arranging easily available natural materials, and we aim to create original designs by avoiding the use of ready-made furniture as much as possible.
We begin by visiting the project site to grasp its unique identity; through dialogue with the client, we then formulate the project’s core concept. As we develop a vision for the space, we carefully consider the materials to be used and refine the design.
Furthermore, by discussing and resolving various on-site challenges with the craftspeople, we often evolve the design into something even better than our initial vision.
My style is to create timeless designs through simple yet deep exploration.
This is “CHALLE,” a café designed in 2024. The concept is a fusion of Japan and Mexico.
A deep crimson finish—created by blending persimmon tannin and *bengara* (red iron oxide)—merges the atmosphere of a traditional Kyoto *machiya* townhouse with that of Mexico, lending the space a unique depth.
This project goes beyond the mere preservation of a *machiya*; it breathes new life into the building’s architectural memory, transforming it for a modern function and demonstrating new possibilities for sustainable architecture today.
CHALLE © Takumi Ota
Loose Kyoto © Takumi Ota
I believe it is important never to give up, even if you don’t arrive at a good design right away; instead, you should continue to explore based on your own philosophy. On a new project, from the moment I begin conceptualizing the design until the project is completed, I constantly consider whether it represents the best possible solution.
A quote by Japanese product designer Sori Yanagi: “True beauty is born, not created.”
It is important to hold onto your dream of becoming an interior designer. Even when things don’t go quite as planned, I believe that never giving up—believing in yourself and continuing to put in the effort—is the only way to gradually move closer to realizing that dream.
Ark Journal.
It is about constantly observing things with curiosity and a spirit of inquiry. Once that becomes a habit, it naturally serves as a source of inspiration.
I aim to develop originally designed lighting and furniture in the near future, with the goal of unveiling them to the world.
Thank you so much Keiji, for this lovely interview!
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