According to Luke Fehon, sustainability is not just a luxury, it's a necessity
Luke Fehon is never one to do things half-baked. The founder of luxury property developer, Fuin, left no stone unturned and no expense spared when it came Amoma Hiroo, Fuin's inaugural property in Tokyo, Japan.
Described as a "residential sanctuary", Amoma Hiroo features modernist architecture met with authentic Japanese expression—a vision brought to life through Fuin's collaborations with renowned Tokyo-based interior design firm Wonderwall, led by the visionary Masamichi Katayama; French interior styling atelier Liaigre; and Japanese landscape-designer Sora Botanical Garden Project. The property boasts just seven two-story residences.
"It’s a unique offering from a lifestyle perspective. It’s not just a brand that exists as a physical product, it’s an overall experience," says Fehon. Think flying into Tokyo via private plane courtesy of Vistajet, being chauffeured around Tokyo in a Rolls-Royce Phantom, and an around-the-clock world-class concierge to take care of all needs big or small.
"Amoma appeals to people who run large businesses and lead high stress lives. They go to Japan to enjoy life, so our mission is to make sure they can do that from the moment they leave their home," says Fehon. "The staff anticipate all of their needs: The linens and flowers are fresh, their favourite food and drinks are in fridge. Their preferred restaurants and museums are booked. All with just one email or phone call."
We spoke with Fehon to find out what luxury means to him, and how Japan stole his heart.
What, in your opinion, separates good design and great design?
I think longevity. There’s a lot of good design and talented designers, but very few take a step back from a brief and think, can I create something that will stand the test of time? Will it stand 100 years from now and still be appreciated?
What can people do to start building a home that’s long-lasting and authentic to them?
For a long time, many people looked at interior design or architecture as superfluous, a luxury. I think we need to move away from that. It’s more of a necessity than many of us care to admit.
When we pay attention, having that foundation has a huge impact on everything we do. I don’t think spending money on furniture or fabrics is a luxury – it should be a priority.
Right. And by that you mean investing in pieces that will last, rather than things we’ll have to buy over and over again…
Right. And that’s what sustainability is really about. People talk about sustainability, but with the way many are living in their homes now, that is often not the case.
Investing time, energy and money into the space you live in is something that gives it longevity. If it’s done well the first time, you don’t have to be keep doing it over and over – it will last.
We should focus on moving away from mass consumption and investing in things that we want to keep forever, things we can hand down to future generations.
See also: Property in Japan: Where to Invest and Why Now is the Right Time to Buy
