Our origin at UDS began in 1992 with the establishment of Urban Design System, driven by the aspiration to enrich and enliven cities through "design" and the implementation of "systems" that merge business and social considerations. In 2022, we celebrate our 30th anniversary.
A city,or town, is the place where each individual's life unfolds, where they work, and sometimes where they visit.
Then, What does it mean to "enrich" and "enjoy" a town?
- Providing functionalities/spaces that people desire for their daily lives, work, and travels.
- Creating a place where residents, workers, and visitors gather, connect, and foster communities and communication.
- Preserving and generating the unique cultural essence of each locality.
This is the perspective that UDS embraces
Based on these principles, UDS has consistently introduced to society spaces that align with what we ourselves consider "desirable choices," yet had not existed before.
For instance:
■ We want a home with freedom and community.:
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Developing the concept of "Cooperative House," where multiple individuals collectively purchase land, design, and manage housing. We have undertaken more than 100 Cooperative Houses/Communities across Japan.
■Striving for minimal environmental impact:
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Transforming old structures into facilities such as hotels through conversion and renovation methods to shift the perception of value to "cool because it's old."
Opened the renovated "Claska" hotel in 2003, which was regarded as a pioneer in Japan's design hotel scene. We have continued to undertake projects that involve the conversion and renovation of aging buildings, such as Hotel Kanra Kyoto and Hotel Anteroom Kyoto.
■We need spaces where children can learn about societal mechanisms while having fun:
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Participating as a leading shareholder in the "KidZania Tokyo" project, contributing to the design of the cityscape and various pavilions, utilizing Cooperative House know-how to coordinate stakeholders, and exerting efforts to make it a reality in Japan.
In this manner, we have translated "desirable choices" into tangible projects, even in unfamiliar industries. As a result, we now engage in a diverse range of business sectors, including housing, hotels, workspaces, restaurants,chocolate shops, and beyond.
