What inspired you to pursue architecture and about your current work?

I have always enjoyed creating things, and I majored in mechanical engineering at a technical college. When I was job hunting, I focused on finding work where I could continuously improve and adapt to changing situations, rather than simply producing something according to fixed specifications. A professor at my college introduced me to Kajima Kress. Although I had not studied architecture, there were common elements, and I was able to apply what I had learned while continuing to study new things each day.
For the first five years, I worked in the Estimation & Procurement Group, preparing various cost estimates for construction projects. Currently, I am involved in the construction of an office building, where I am responsible for service installations, including electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems. I coordinate specifications with the client, give instructions to partner companies, review drawings, and connect all aspects of the project to ensure quality until the building is handed over. Facilities engineers are responsible for meeting users’ needs for comfort, needs that are not always visible at first glance. I find it rewarding to check whether the systems I helped create are functioning properly, consider how they can be improved, and discuss improvements with my colleagues.