Overview: Recently, an ecological approach to design has found its way into the global spotlight, with design elements and people interacting in harmony with their surroundings just as in a natural ecosystem. This is the goal of ecological design, which is a perfect fit for a traditional Japanese aesthetic that sees humanity as just one small part of the broader natural world. Alongside our guest, architect Akihisa Hirata, we explore the potential of new designs that transcend the framework of the artificial and the natural.