Interview the Planner

Planner

TOHTO Co., Ltd.
General Manager
Koji Hatsumoto

Interviewer

Inter-CATALOG-Net Co., Ltd.
Director
Hirofumi Iwasawa

-

Iwasawa :

N's Court 139 LEGO is planned as 2nd project of N's Court 139. What's the big difference?

Hatsumoto :

Simply put, N's Court is so-called rental apartment. Lego is furnished/ applianced monthly apartment.

Iwasawa :

Monthly apartment is that business people use for long business trip and such, am I right?
Furnished and applianced monthly apartment is commonly used from a few weeks to a few months.

Hatsumoto :

That's right. Monthly apartment is usually located in business district and made mainly for single household. As for the size, it's about 20m².

Iwasawa :

Lego has 30m². Is it for single household?

Hatsumoto :

Up to two people can live in a standard room.
One person can live on one's own of course.
With all kinds of efforts, rooms are laid out as if there's more space than 30m².

Iwasawa :

I heard that common apartments in foreign countries are usually furnished. Is it possible to rent Lego Apartment for long?

Hatsumoto :

Sure it is. More and more people live in monthly apartment for years lately in both corporation and individual cases.
It is often asked "2 weeks is about average length of stay?" Although it sometimes depends on season in my company's case, average length is 4-5 months. It tends to be longer and longer lately.

Iwasawa :

That's unexpected.
Do they stay for business? Who are the mainstream audience?

Hatsumoto :

Foreign resident with corporate contract is increasing recently. We honestly haven't been affected very much by the fact that demand of studio apartment is in slowdown due to the low birthrate, and that companies are cutting down the number of company housings due to downturn in economy.

Iwasawa :

That's interesting.
That you have many foreign customers means you have English speakers, right?

Hatsumoto :

Yes. We are also available in Chinese and Korea at information office.
Foreign customers have different customs and feelings. Therefore they ask various questions and make requests about applying, contract procedures, and their stays.
We don't force Japanese customs on foreigners; we try hard to meet customers' expectations flexibly. Thankfully, a lot of customers come back to use.

Iwasawa :

I see. I guess that flexible response is one of the reasons that are accepted by the foreigners.
By the way, it seems like N's Court is very different than general apartments. What characteristics does N's Court have to put it simply?
Also, How did you get to this conception?

Hatsumoto :

When we talk about characteristics of N's Court, we describe it as "Hotel-style condominium". It is actually a little different than Hotels. It has more homey and cozy atmosphere, but polished... Keywords that were in our mind and owner's from the beginning of the planning was "Relief, Security and Health". We thought about what the times seek, what people seek, what the building ought to be, and we resulted in those keywords. "N's Court 139" has finished on March 2003, and it is widely supported by a number of customers.

Iwasawa :

Not many apartments advocate health. I heard N's Court addresses environmental issues and prepares for disasters. Such things are the advantages, you think? If you don't mind, could you introduce a few specific devices?

Hatsumoto :

Well, as for hard side, for example, solar energy generation is used; greenery wall for global warming is adopted... Even apartments need to be eco-friendly, strongly built for disasters, and utilize limited resources efficiently and effectively in this era. Also, in case public services stops due to a disaster, N's Court has made it possible to provide lifeline sources.
As for the soft side, we came to attach an importance to warm-heartedness.
Community lounges are set in various places. Staff takes care of flowers arranged by the owner. There is a lot of communication between residents and the owner.

Iwasawa :

So it is "nice" apartment to both residents and the earth.

Hatsumoto :

Yes. The owner, designer, constructor, and us planner's other concept is "contribution to local society" as well as to residents.
N's Court has been built as model case for next generation offering not only "Relief, Security, and Health", but also "Comfortable space", and "Impression". We are particularly proud of N's Court.

Iwasawa :

The apartment that tries to contribute to local society sounds quite nice.
Residents are also contribution-minded, I guess.

Hatsumoto :

I think so too. Why don't you to give it a try?
We have special plan for monthly.

Iwasawa :

I will have to think about it lol.
But I'd love to visit there once.
I'd love to experience the "impression."
Thank you very much for your time today.