ABOUT — OTO

OTO is a London based, award-winning design-led architectural and interior design practice, founded by Tamiko Onozawa. Our approach is primarily contemporary, utilising the latest technologies and materials, balanced with a respect for the design heritage and craftsmanship of the past. We aim to enhance interior space through expert handling of primary elements such as light and proportion, and to design with integrity and honesty with regard to the function and aesthetics of living/working space. Through this considered and thoughtful approach to design, we believe that our clients experience a very real sense of life, beauty and joy. Depending on the specific needs of a project, we work closely with other team members - for example craftsmen and artists as well as engineers, quantity surveyors, project managers and agents.

Creative director Tamiko Onozawa worked internationally in Tokyo and Paris, for highly acclaimed architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte. She moved to the UK to join Richard Rogers Partnership (now RSHP). During her 15 years at RSHP, she held pivotal design roles on a number of multiple awards winning international projects, such as, NEO Bankside, One Hyde Park, Antwerp Law Court, and Las Arenas commercial complex, Protos winery Spain. These experiences allowed her to gain her expertise in a wide range of design disciplines - from architectural structures to interior design and bespoke furniture.

She has been appointed by the high profile developers, and has further refined her expertise in high-end residential interior architecture through major prestige residential projects in London, such as Burlington Gate, Holland Park Villas, and Cheyne Terrace.

Building on her experience, Tamiko has developed a distinctive, integrated approach, that places equal emphasis on architecture and interior design. This allows many considerations, such as building context and aesthetic considerations to be brought together in a complementary way, and has helped her to develop a reputation for stunning ageless beauty, subtlety and sensitivity.

Tamiko has lectured at the university in Japan, wrote a commentary in AERA by Asahi Publication, and was interviewed with Yukio Futagawa for GA magazine. She was invited to exhibit at the Eleventh Plateau Festival in Greece by Out Of The Box and All Visual Arts, and has lectured at the international architecture seminar in the Middle East organised by The British Council.

She is a pianist and music composer, and has written music for galleries, exhibitions and a dance company. For her the process of composition and design influence each other. She was appointed as a Councillor and committee at The Chelsea Arts Club in London.

She speaks fluent Japanese, English, basic Italian and Spanish.

Courtesy : Philip Durrant Photography