Creating Harmony: How Lucas B.B. Blends Cultures in His Unique Tokyo Home with USM Haller

lucas badtke-berkow , a renowned creator of travel-themed lifestyle magazines, and his wife Kaori transformed a traditional Japanese house in Tokyo into a harmonious blend of East and West, utilizing USM Haller's modular design for both working and living spaces.

A Journey of Discovery

After graduating from the University of California, Lucas embarked on a journey to Japan in 1993 with just a backpack. This first trip abroad?marked the beginning of?his connection with the country.?Three years later,?he founded Knee High Media Japan, launching magazines like?TOKION,?PAPERSKY, and?mammoth.?Now,?PAPERSKY?is approaching its 20th anniversary.

"At 23, I started TOKION for young people. As I neared 30, the age gap grew. I realized travel has no age limits, blending my work and life seamlessly,"?Lucas reflects.

Adapting to Change

During the pandemic,?PAPERSKY?shifted its focus to Japan. Despite global travel restrictions, Lucas and his team continued to provide unique perspectives through local travel features. Switzerland stood out for its balance of nature and culture. A 2017 feature on Swiss landscapes highlighted this balance by integrating art into the magazine's layout.?

"Swiss landscapes are stunning, with many artists capturing their beauty. Switzerland values nature and culture equally, a trait reflected in daily life choices,"?says Lucas.

A Unique Living and Working Space

Lucas's 90-year-old house has been his workspace for over two decades and his place of residence for twelve years. The ground floor serves as an office and garden, while the first floor houses his living space. The blend of Western and Japanese aesthetics creates a modern, harmonious environment.

"Our home blends Western and Japanese styles, reflecting our backgrounds.?The modular design of USM Haller fits perfectly, blending with the?Japanese architecture,"?Lucas explains.

Design Meets Functionality

Lucas first encountered USM Haller over a decade ago while writing for?PAPERSKY. The modular design's flexibility appealed to him, allowing for adaptability like Lego pieces. This versatility is crucial for his home and office, enhancing productivity and comfort.

USM Haller plays an active role in Lucas’s residence and workspace. He kept the height low in the centre of the room, using white and grey colour schemes to blend with the space. For health reasons, he added a drop-down door for an occasional standing desk. A matte black tabletop aids concentration on desk work, and a wardrobe unit in the closet stores seasonal clothing.

"USM Haller's design and functionality are impressive. The ability to customize is unique, fitting perfectly with Japanese home dimensions,"?Lucas notes.

Balancing Old and New

Lucas's home features a blend of international, new, and old items, each chosen for their value and quality, reflecting sustainable living principles and modern sustainability goals.

"Balance is key. The old items have?history, and the new items?are chosen?for their lasting value. This perspective transcends gender and aligns with sustainable living through personal experience,"?Lucas adds.

Although USM Haller was created in the 1960s, before specific sustainability goals existed, its excellent materials and design have endured for generations. Lucas's space is filled with meaningful items, each adding a unique worldly feel, even if they are not all masterpieces or luxury pieces.