▼Highlights of this seminar

In November 2025, a lecture titled “The Future of Spatial Perception and Design” was delivered 町田ひろ子, Principal of 町田ひろ子町田ひろ子町田ひろ子, at “JAPANTEX 2025, ” one of Japan’s largest interior design trade shows.

In this presentation, the speaker explored the differences in design philosophies between Japan and the West, using concrete examples to explain how the latest 3D scanning app, " Scanat," is transforming the interior design industry and contributing to the well-being of residents.

Here is a summary of the “four key points” discussed in this seminar that are essential for future spatial design.

① Learning from Western "Open Planning": Circulatory Pathways That Bring Families Together

This article introduces the concept of "open-plan" design, which is common in Europe and the United States, in contrast to Japan's traditional "central corridor" floor plan.

We explained the benefits of the "circulating layout" —which places the core of the home at its center and allows for continuous movement without dead ends—based on behavioral psychology, noting that it helps family members sense each other’s presence and facilitates smoother communication.

② Visualizing "Atmosphere" to Overcome the Limitations of 2D Drawings

Even for professionals, it is difficult to convey the appeal of a three-dimensional floor plan using only 2D floor plans and isolated photographs.

That’s when Mr. Machida turned to “ Scanat.”

By converting the entire space into 3D data, you can visually grasp the flow of foot traffic.

This makes it easier for designers to plan living spaces and enables them to present a clear, intuitive picture of what life will be like after completion to end users.

▼Click here to view the Scanat 3D model data

③ “Whose perspective is it?” The quality of design changes depending on the eye level

Scanat is that it allows users to freely adjust the "eye level" within the app and walk around (walkthrough).

・A child’s eye level: How does the overwhelming presence of the furniture look from this perspective?

・From the kitchen: What does the family playing in the living room look like?

A method was shared that highlights the "comfort" and "areas for improvement" that cannot be detected in floor plans by evaluating them from the " eye level" of each resident.

④ "Well-being" Created by Technology and Future Services

He emphasized the importance of viewing Scanat not merely as a "tool for improving efficiency, " but as a "design partner" for proposing a richer lifestyle.

Furthermore, the discussion touched on the potential for new business models that blend online and offline services, such as a "Uber Eats for homes," where customers can use 3D data to select furniture and receive interior design consultations from the comfort of their own homes.

The seminar presented a vision of a future in which new technologies will deepen and enrich the relationship between people and their surroundings.

Turn site surveys into creative time.

Scanat is changing the conventional wisdom that "3D scanning requires expensive specialized equipment and seems difficult to operate."

As demonstrated in Mr. Machida’s presentation, simply by scanning the space with your iPhone or iPad, you can capture the entire on-site environment as accurate 3D data to take back with you.

This dramatically reduces the burden of on-site surveys —such as having to remeasure or forgetting to take photos—and frees up time for planning.

Furthermore, by allowing users to freely change their viewpoint and walk around within the current 3D model, we can concretely share with clients, at eye level , “what to place in this space and how to live there,” making it a powerful tool for preventing misunderstandings regarding renovation plans and furniture proposals.

Why not try a new approach to supporting your customers’ well-being—all from the device right in your hand?

You can find a detailed report on 町田ひろ子 on this website.
▶︎ 町田ひろ子 Lecture Report