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Hakuten Kyobashi: A Transformative Approach to Sustainable and Flexible Office Design in Tokyo

Hakuten Kyobashi, designed by Junki Horita and his multidisciplinary team, sets a new benchmark for office environments in Japan by integrating sustainability, flexibility, and user-driven customization. Completed in spring 2024 in Tokyo, the project revitalizes a former tenant's space, challenging conventional office design by blending retained elements with innovative, movable fixtures and adaptable zones. This approach not only reduces environmental impact by minimizing demolition and waste but also preserves the cultural memory of the site.

The 2,400-square-meter office accommodates 400 employees using a free address system, encouraging collaboration and dynamic use of space. At the heart of the design are versatile, movable furnishings-each equipped with handles, stacking capabilities, and casters-allowing the workspace to be easily reconfigured for meetings, exhibitions, or social gatherings. The cafe zone features removable wooden flooring, and graphic floor patterns serve as guides for changing layouts, supporting a constantly evolving environment that fosters creativity and communication.

Hakuten Kyobashi's unique zoning includes a variety of free spaces that inspire imaginative use rather than imposing rigid functions. Managed by an office task force, the space transforms throughout the day: mornings see open meetings, afternoons host exhibitions and cafe gatherings, and evenings shift to a bar-like atmosphere for informal networking. This fluidity addresses the challenges of traditional Japanese office design, offering both comfort and adaptability while reducing construction waste and promoting environmental responsibility.

The project's research-driven approach highlights inefficiencies in typical Japanese office leasing practices, where interiors are often demolished and rebuilt unnecessarily. By rethinking these norms and integrating both old and new elements, Junki Horita's team delivers a forward-thinking model for sustainable office design that balances environmental concerns, user experience, and cultural continuity. The Bronze A' Design Award recognizes Hakuten Kyobashi's technical ingenuity, creative excellence, and its contribution to improving quality of life in urban workspaces.

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