From a young age, growing up in Japan, I was inspired by the natural landscapes, materials and beauty that surrounded me. While not one to sit still in a classroom, I was drawn to art and design, creativity and craftsmanship—eventually leading me to post-secondary design training at the Nippon Design Institute. Along with my formal education, I pride myself on being a hands-on designer, familiar with the practical elements of carpentry and home construction. I look to the master builders and the Japanese craftsmen of centuries past when it comes to creating homes and interiors that delight, hearten and endure.

After completing my interior design studies in Japan, I was keen to live and learn internationally—and found myself starting a new chapter in the richly forested province of British Columbia, Canada. I felt a strong connection to the rugged, wooded west coast terrain and its natural charm—a kind of Zen that dovetailed well with my Japanese heritage and upbringing.

I quickly settled in Vancouver, B.C., working as an interior detailing and project manager for a local firm specializing in interior & custom millwork construction, renovations and custom millwork. Several years later I landed a role as a senior architectural and interior designer for a leading architecture firm in North Vancouver, BC. Over the next decade, I helped lead the completion of a wide variety of innovative residential and commercial designs. Along with projects throughout the region, in 2009 I also served as foreign project lead for a Tokyo-based residential project and architectural exhibition.

In 2002, I began to take on independent projects leading to my current practice as Arata Hatanaka Design Atelier (ADA). Since that time, I have had the pleasure of building a growing list of local and international clients, providing turnkey custom home design services that include: schematic design, permit documentation, construction assembly details, contract administration, interior design, finishes, millwork, electrical and lighting design.