Designer Insights: The Future of Offices
Vol.8 Spatial Design Guided by What Your Body Feels: Yusuke Oono’s Vision for Offices
A space inducive to co-creation: SHIBUYA QWS
In the late 2010s, before the COVID-19 pandemic, was a time when the concept of co-creation was widespread and various facilities started including spaces designed for it. They were intended to foster new businesses and products by bringing together diverse people from both within and outside organisations to generate ideas, discuss, create mock-ups, present, receive feedback, and improve. The expectation was that this open and dynamic plan-do-check-adjust cycle known as co-creation would lead to breakthroughs in business. Even though the pandemic poured cold water on the concept, incorporating co-creation spaces into offices has now become a standard practice.
Image courtesy of Domino Architects and Studio Xxingham
In 2019, the co-creation facility SHIBUYA QWS was established within the commercial complex Shibuya Scramble Square, directly connected to Shibuya Station. Spanning a vast area of 2,600 square metres on a single floor, it quickly gained attention as a space where diverse individuals could meet and exchange ideas. "At the time of design, it was unclear who would use the space and how, given that it was a new type of facility. The project was truly exploratory", Oono reflects.
Image courtesy of Domino Architects and Studio Xxingham
The goal was to create a neutral, long-lasting, universal and communal space without a specific style. In addition, the space should stay true to its materials. "We considered what new things we could achieve with a budget similar to the standard floor construction cost of this building. We didn't do anything particularly challenging. There are no signature materials, and the construction methods are the same as before. We just earnestly re-examined how to combine and use conventional building materials together with the contractors", Oono explains.
Image courtesy of Domino Architects and Studio Xxingham