With a diverse background spanning architecture, art, and language, Riyo Namigata brings a thoughtful, cross-cultural lens to the spaces she helps shape. Born in Japan and raised in the U.S., she approaches each project with quiet focus, creativity, and a deep interest in how people live and interact with their environment.

Riyo graduated with Highest Honors in Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, and went on to complete her graduate studies at the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, under Professor Hidetoshi Ohno. She spent the following years as a freelance graphic designer and translator while also pursuing an active career as an artist—creating works in public spaces, receiving artist grants, and being featured in media including newspapers, radio, and television. Her accolades include the Grand Prize at the Tori Art Awards (2013) and a feature on Yahoo! Japan Headline News (2014).

After focusing on parenting for several years, Riyo joined Daizu Inc. in 2025, drawn by the company’s people-centered design philosophy and appreciation for diverse cultural perspectives.
Riyo looks forward to evolving her design approach from an art-focused perspective to one that more deeply supports everyday living.