KEYNOTE SPEECH & TREND FORUMS
KEYNOTE
SPEECH
3 June(Tue)13:00 - 14:00
What Kind of Office Spaces Deliver True Wellbeing?
NARUSE・INOKUMA ARCHITECTS have been awarded numerous prizes for their concepts for comfortable spaces in fields ranging from commercial facilities and residences to offices. Considering both ’architecture’ and ’interior design’, they will discuss what kind of offices boost employee satisfaction and engagement and how design choices can realise such offices.
- Yuri NaruseNARUSE・INOKUMA ARCHITECTS Co-Chair
- Completed the master’s course in architecture at the University of Tokyo School of Engineering in 2004 and doctoral course in 2007. Co-founded NARUSE・INOKUMA ARCHITECTS in 2007. Special appointment as an assistant professor at the University of Tokyo in 2009, served as assistant professor from 2010 to 2017. Member of the GOOD DESIGN AWARD jury since 2022.
- Jun InokumaNARUSE・INOKUMA ARCHITECTS Co-Chair
- Professor at the Shibaura Institute of Technology. Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1977. Completed master’s course at the University of Tokyo School of Engineering in 2004. Worked at CHIBA MANABU ARCHITECTS until 2006. Co-founded NARUSE・INOKUMA ARCHITECTS in 2007. Assistant professor at the Tokyo Metropolitan University from 2008 to 2021. Associate professor at the Shibaura Institute of Technology from 2021 to 2024. Current position from 2024.
TREND
FORUMS
4 June(Wed)11:00 - 12:00
Rules of the Garage:
‘bootstrapping’, ‘hacking’,
and the unconventional architecture of Silicon Valley
The campuses of Apple, Google, and Meta are seen as exemplary designs for creativity and productivity. Silicon Valley’s architectural ethos has unexpected roots: not in the office, but in the dorm rooms, garages, and labs that shaped early tech culture there. Explore how the principles of early Silicon Valley – adaptability, collaboration and innovation – continue to shape the design of corporate campuses.
- Claude DutsonArchitecture scholar and lecturer
- Dr. Dutson is an academic and lecturer, trained in Architecture at the University of East London (2005) and the Royal College of Art (2008, PhD in 2016). She has a background in Media Studies, working in new media consultancy at the height of the dotcom boom. She teaches at the RCA and the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London. She researches the evolution of Silicon Valley campuses and their socio-political and environmental effects, also using 3D models and VR. Her work on Silicon Valley architecture includes essays, book chapters and the forthcoming book Proprietary Polis: Architecture and Silicon Valley (2027).
5 June (Thu)11:00 - 12:00
‘Design’ That Lets Office Workers Work Comfortably
Masaki Kato is the managing director of Puddle, an architecture office with “pursuing comfortable experiences” and “redesigning communication” as its guiding principles. Taro Kiguma is editor-in-chief of the Japanese edition of the design and interior magazine ELLE DECOR, published in 33 countries and regions. Join these two as they analyse office design trends and delve into what kind of ‘design’ is expected from the workspaces of the future and what this ‘design’ needs to accomplish.
- Masaki KatoArchitect, managing director of Puddle
- Top-class architect. School of Engineering master’s course graduate. After working at architectural offices including KENGO KUMA & ASSOCIATES, founded Puddle. Has worked on architecture and interiors in various countries. Major works include ”Sequence Miyashita park”, ”SANU SKY loft” and ”IWAI Omotesando”. Author of ”Site specific cafe design”.
- Taro KigumaELLE DECOR JP editor-in-chief
- After working at IT companies, worked at digital media such as ”VOGUE JAPAN” and ”GQ JAPAN”, in video production and as a web producer. After a position as the digital media director of ”Casa BRUTUS”, joined Hearst Digital Japan. As the chief web producer of ”ELLE Digital”, led new ventures such as multi-platform streaming events. Started as the editor-in-chief of ELLE DECOR JP in September 2022.
