Visit from Costa Rican Architect Rodrigo Carazo

We were honored to welcome Rodrigo Carazo, one of Costa Rica’s leading architects, to KYOEI LUMBER, accompanied by Ms. Junko Koizumi of the Institute of Architectural Thought.
Since the period before and after last year’s Las Vegas trade show, we had been in continuous contact, and this visit was timed to coincide with Expo 2025, Osaka–Kansai.
Carazo Arquitectura, based in San José, works across multifamily, commercial, and residential projects under Mr. Carazo’s leadership, advocating biophilic and regenerative design. While much of Japanese architecture emphasizes straight lines and right angles, their practice actively embraces curves in pursuit of architecture that integrates with nature—an approach that offered many insights for us as makers in Japan.
During our meeting, we discussed potential uses of our YAKISUGI (charred cedar) and other timbers across several projects, including a private residence. We look forward to seeing these projects progress step by step—and to the day when Japanese wood takes root in Costa Rica. We also hope to visit their country at the next opportunity.
This exchange reaffirmed a simple truth: the value of wood is timeless, and wood connects people around the world.