Hiroo Maruya

1972 Graduated from the State University for Art and Music in Tokyo 1973 Graduated from the graduate school of the same university 1973-1988 Became a part-time teacher of architecture for the same school 1975-1983 Served as an assistant to professor Akio Okumura at his department and studio. He taught students, and learned about furniture design and architecture with an emphasis indoor environment using solar system for houses and an environmentally-friendly approach to architecture. 1983 Started his own studio in Tokyo. 1992 Set up "Art Center in Umegaoka" which functions as a house designing office, an art gallery and an NPO office to promote the creation of a better town in Umegaoka. 1992 Designed Koshigoe Park in Saitama prefecture, taking part in the "Hope Plan" to make a park, a bridge, public housing and a station. 1993-1999 Expanded the activities not only in Tokyo but also in Fukuoka prefecture ,Shiga prefecture and Shimane prefecture enthusiastically designing a tunnel, state roads and streets. In 1996 was awarded the prize of the head of the Public Design Center for taking part in the project to make a beautiful and comfortable town in Shiga prefecture. 1999 Renovated an old shop of preserves named "Sumigen"and changed it back into a traditional Japanese style shop in Shiga prefecture Mainly he is trying to change things into our traditional style of houses. 2000 Completed a Japanese restaurant named "YOU" in Oita prefecture. 2001-2004 Designed a series of atmospheric lighting structures for rooms. Received "a prize for a good design "for an appliance designed the previous year from a designers' organization. Together with many artisans, organized a project "ART Festival in Umegaoka" to make a local town pleasant to live in, showing the power of human creativity, and hoping to have local people know the richness of life by using arts.