Designer Insights: The Future of Offices
Vol.7 Exploring the Role of Loosely Connected Spaces Through Architect-Supervised Furniture in Their Own Office
In architecture circles, NARUSE・INOKUMA ARCHITECTS are renowned experts in designing shared spaces. With the relocation of their office, the NARUKUMA duo decided to make their new office a testing ground, using and evaluating the line of furniture and partitions they co-developed with ITOKI. We visited their new office to learn more.
Report by Miki Homma / Lifestyle journalist
NARUSE・INOKUMA ARCHITECTS was founded by Yuri Naruse and Jun Inokuma, who first met as classmates at the University of Tokyo. Their numerous architectural pieces, centred around the concept of “sharing”, have earned acclaim and their team has grown to 12 members. As their previous office became too cramped, they relocated to Koenji in western Tokyo at the end of August 2024.
They selected an older building in Koenji retaining its retro atmosphere. Stepping inside, one is met with an environment that resembles a creative factory. Workspaces surrounded by steel mesh and perforated boards unfold one after the other. For a moment, the visitor feels a sense of wonder, unsure what kind of a space they have entered.
