Fellow’s Tea with Mr. Koichiro Ikebuchi

Tembusu College Fellow’s Tea

Mr. Koichiro Ikebuchi

6pm, Tuesday

14th February 2012

Common Lounge,

Level 1, Residential Block

Refreshments will be served. Only 30 seats available!

Please register at tembusu.nus.edu.sg

Born in Osaka, Koichiro Ikebuchi was constantly exposed to different cultures, architectures and lifestyles, both old and new, throughout his childhood. In 1983, Mr Ikebuchi was admitted to the Osaka Institute of Technology. Following his heart, Mr Ikebuchi joined an interior and furniture company after finishing school. However, he says, he was “very disappointed”.

To keep up his passion for design, he spent time attending seminars by famous architects and designers such as Aldo Rossi and Andrée Putman, and tried to participate in design competitions. Mr Ikebuchi clinched the First Prize for Design from Saporiti Italia, the Grand Prize for Diamonds International Awards organised by De Beers, and the Grand Prize for Jewellery Creative Contest in Japan.
In 1989, Mr Ikebuchi’s company offered him a transfer to their Singapore office. After several years of working in Singapore, Mr Ikebuchi returned to Japan in 1993. It was not long before Mr Ikebuchi returned to Singapore, this time in 1995, to start his own company. In 2004, Atelier Ikebuchi Pte Ltd was set up. Mr Ikebuchi won the President’s Design Award in 2009.

Mr Ikebuchi takes a historical view of the importance of design. He says, “Design is important because it is a part of civilisation. Babylonia was designed by 1800 BC. The chair has existed since 3000 BC.” In his perspective, “A good design is one that we can love and appreciate for a long time.”
His design philosophy, he says, lies in following his heart. “Feeling with one’s heart is more important than knowing with one’s brain.” He draws inspiration from “nature, people and unconscious memories”. Says Mr Ikebuchi, “Being hungry for good design is fundamental. If you are hungry, you will definitely do something.”. Among his influences are Chillida, Cy Twombly, Tapio Wirkkala, and many others. Mr Ikebuchi thinks that the driving force behind his success is, simply, a passion for design.

Therein lies a lesson for younger designers who look to him as a role model. Says Mr Ikebuchi, “Being hungry for good design is fundamental. If you are hungry, you will definitely do something, as you can’t wait to die.”