菱熱工業

Interior project accompanying the office relocation of “Ryonetsu Kogyo,” a comprehensive cold and heat engineering company. Due to the nature of the business, many employees frequently go out to the field, meaning that during office hours, it is primarily the back-office departments that utilize the office space. Furthermore, remote work has been on the rise, making it increasingly valuable for employees from different departments to encounter one another within the office.

Prior to the relocation, the office was spread across multiple floors, but the move has consolidated all departments onto a single floor. This arrangement allows employees who are in the office to recognize each other and communicate more freely, as well as choose an environment that encourages concentrated work. Additionally, to facilitate cross-functional and efficient operations with factories and branches located nationwide, there is a need for creating spaces that promote collaboration.

The office occupies a corner of the building, featuring a long east-west office area that, despite facing a major road, offers a view of the street trees as part of its landscape. Upon entering the office, guests are greeted by a reception area made of wire mesh and partitions. Beyond the reception, high tables and standard tables extend deep into the office beyond the wire mesh partitions, creating a layout that is visible not only to employees but also to guests. This area serves as the main floor and is designed to be open and accessible. 

Since this main floor cannot cover all areas, the “concentration area” is located by the windows and in the corridors. The “meeting area” features two types of meeting rooms: one set up with curtains for open conversations with small groups and another designed for handling confidential information. Additionally, the “canteen area,” “locker area,” and “storage area” are positioned in a less visible section accessible by wrapping around from the entrance. The “canteen area,” in particular, is designed for casual dining and gatherings while also accommodating meetings with the president or higher management.

As a side note, the office features words engraved on wooden and acrylic surfaces, which are subtly placed throughout the space. These words have been selected from messages sent by past presidents to their employees. I hope it becomes enjoyable for everyone to seek out these words while sitting in various places around the office.

Regarding office design, the term “ABW (Activity Based Working)” has been increasingly recognized in Japan. However, it is also true that the requirements for office spaces have changed significantly before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. As many companies incorporate remote work, teamwork in the office becomes even more crucial. To create an environment that fosters collaboration while efficiently managing limited working hours, a flexible working environment that promotes a small amount of movement throughout the office is likely needed.