Norihito Naritomi, Executive Fellow at Sembu Corporation, to Speak at Dialogue-Style Event 'Designers Edge' for Spatial Designers

"Build a new standard." Under this mission, Union Tec Co., Ltd. (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Yusuke Okawa) plans and operates 'Designers Edge,' a dialogue-style event for creators shaping the future of spatial design. It has been announced that Norihito Naritomi, Executive Fellow and Licensed Architect at Sembu Corporation, will speak at the 17th edition of the event.

Designers Edge is an event where spatial designers and students aspiring to enter the design industry can grow by mutually inspiring one another. Participants—referred to as the 'Creative Community'—aim to explore the past, present, and future of design from multiple perspectives, guided by the concept of 'expanding horizons, elevating perspectives, and shifting viewpoints,' in order to create new value.

Held regularly, the event welcomes leading figures from the design industry. Through lectures and networking, it has gained acclaim as a venue where real-world experiences and insights are shared, and participants exchange challenges to gain inspiration for growth.

Official website for Designers Edge

The 17th 'Designers Edge,' to be held on Friday, June 19, 2026, starting at 18:00, will welcome Norihito Naritomi, known for his wide-ranging work in commercial spaces, large-scale office environments, and public facilities.

Born in 1981 and a graduate of Musashino Art University, Naritomi has worked on commercial spaces, large office spaces, and public facilities, pursuing highly contextual and expressive direction. In recent years, he has continued exploring spatial approaches that embody ethical design and co-founded Social Design Port, participating in the development of co-creative design platforms aimed at solving social issues.

On the day, he will speak from a broad perspective on spatial design insights gained across commercial, office, and public spaces, as well as on the practice of ethical design and the philosophy behind co-creative design approaches that address social challenges.

'Designers Edge' is a communication space where emerging and mid-career creators and designers from diverse fields intersect, fostering learning and inspiration. Participation is highly encouraged.

Event details and registration

Event Overview & Program

Lecture Theme

"a journey to the cutting edge" – The Path to the Forefront

Lecture Content

- The thought process and design philosophy of top architects and spatial designers

- Real insights into spatial design learned at the forefront

- Building co-creative platforms for solving social issues

Date

Friday, June 19, 2026

Doors Open / Start

17:40 Doors Open

18:00 Lecture Begins 19:15 Networking Session Begins 20:30 Closing Remarks

Venue

Union Tec Co., Ltd. Office (4F, Dogenzaka Building, 2-25-12 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)

Admission

Free (Non-designers, architects, or students require an invitation from at least one designer)

Capacity

100 attendees (Online participation available for part of the event; networking session is in-person only)

Event details and registration

17th Speaker Profile

Norihito Naritomi | Sembu Corporation

Executive Fellow / Licensed Architect

Born in 1981. Graduated from Musashino Art University. Works on commercial spaces as well as large-scale office and public facilities. Committed to high-context, expressive direction, and continues to explore spatial approaches that embody ethical design.

Founded Social Design Port and participates in building co-creative design platforms for solving social issues.

Website: https://www.semba1008.co.jp/ja Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/semba_corporation/

Awards

Dezeen Awards 2022 Sustainability Category Shortlist

Design for Asia Awards 2022 Merit Award

ICONIC AWARDS 2023 Winner

SKY Design Awards 2023 Shortlist

Japan Space Design Award 2021 Sustainable Space Award

Wood Design Award 2022 Encouragement Prize

56th Sign Design Award Bronze Prize

Japan Space Design Award 2025 Gold Prize and others

Event details and registration

Past Event Reports

6th Edition: "Small ideas connecting to the world. Design philosophy driven by passion, not scale" (Speaker: Ryohei Tanaka, Representative, G ARCHITECTS STUDIO)

7th Edition: "What does 'urban mixed-use' mean in Japan's tallest wooden high-rise, the Ginza Takagi Building? A perspective on architecture that changes the future" (Speaker: Tetsuo Yamaji, Yamaji Tetsuo Architectural Design Office)

8th Edition: "Infusing solid ideas into small architecture" – Creativity born within constraints (Speaker: Hidenori Tsuboi, Tsuboi Architectural Design Office)

9th Edition: The future of architects: transcending organizations to transform empathy into space (Speaker: Yoshiko Nakayama, Nakayama Yoshiko Design Planning)

11th Edition: Exhibition designer Toshihide Tanaka from Tansei-sha decodes the 'timescape' of space and time (Speaker: Toshihide Tanaka, Senior Creative Expert, Tansei-sha)

About Union Tec Co., Ltd.

Founded in June 2000 as a contractor for interior finishing works such as ceilings and flooring. The company runs a space creation business, providing comprehensive branding, design, and construction for offices and shops, with over 10,000 completed projects. In 2016, it launched a platform business for the construction industry and in April 2021, spun off its business divisions. Focusing exclusively on interior services and leveraging digital expertise, it operates businesses including 'Workspace Production,' 'Beauty & Medical Clinic,' 'Luxury Residence,' 'Space Construction,' 'Building Value-Up,' and 'PersGPT (PersGPT).' In December 2025, it launched 'UT101,' aiming to cultivate 101 business leaders as a mid-term target.