2026 On-site report
Working spaces need more than furniture
Covering ORGATEC TOKYO 2026, the first thing I noticed was how the scope of the elements that make up an office has clearly expanded. This has been a developing trend since last year, but what stood out at ORGATEC TOKYO 2026 was the sense that “invisible elements” are driving the evolution of the office more than ever before. These range from functional components such as various systems and electronics to elements that enhance emotional value, supporting employees’ wellbeing and boosting productivity.
Report by Miki Homma / Lifestyle journalist
Light, sound and visual media: every sense is converging in the office
An office is not made up solely of furniture such as chairs, desks and storage. Materials, lighting, sound, visual media, electronics, acoustics, and small details that help regulate the distance between people all play a role. The workplace is no longer something that can be defined by furniture alone – it is shaped by how the complete space feels and what kind of communication takes place there.
Particularly striking this year was that exhibitors were not simply displaying new products but rather presenting their thinking on the question of “how future workplaces should be conceived” as immersive experiences. Rather than competing over the number of products on show, they would carefully invite visitors to sit in a single chair. Rather than new materials being presented as finished products, they were shown as part of a circular process. Some exhibitors sought to support the condition and wellbeing of workers through light, sound and visual media. The more I walked around the venue, the more I felt the meaning of the word “office” gradually expand.