Mr. O — Hodogaya, Yokohama

“From Land Search to Design—Together from the Start”

“At first, we were looking at newly built condominiums in Tokyo, but nothing felt quite right—small space, high cost, and no real sense of home. We realized we wanted something more personal and began exploring the idea of working with an architect.

A colleague recommended trying a custom home and even helped me discover Ritsu Design (now Standard Design) through Houzz. From the very first meeting, I felt a sense of trust.

Even before we had land, Mr. Yoshida offered to search with us. That changed everything. He visited sites with us and, incredibly, sketched a rough plan on the spot. It helped us imagine how we could live there—and that gave us the confidence to purchase what would have otherwise seemed like a difficult flag-shaped lot.

He also gave us advice that only an expert could—about sunlight, privacy, and even hidden costs like ground reinforcement or utility connections. We had considered a square lot as well, but thanks to his insight, we realized it wouldn’t allow for the first-floor living room we hoped for. Without him, we might have made the wrong decision.

Looking back, we’re so glad we met Standard Design at the very beginning. The entire process—from land search to planning—was guided with care, honesty, and true collaboration.”

Mr. O, YOKOHAMA, KANAGAWA