Inspired by the flexibility of traditional Japanese architecture, the new Cybernet Headquarters in Tokyo is a bright and innovative office designed to promote wellness, encourage dialogue, and improve productivity through adaptability and technology.  The design concept has been developed by MBAA and Shukoh in close collaboration with Cybernet's management, carefully embedding the corporate values in the design.

The workspace has been optimized with intelligent zoning to eliminate the clutter and enlarge communication and social interaction spaces. Furniture and materials were carefully planned to offer the best environmental quality for the employees and embed the 2020 pandemic’s "social distancing" guidelines. High-quality and ergonomic "human-centered" design elements were adopted to guarantee the workers' health and comfort.

Flexibility within spaces

The concept of flexibility is another cornerstone of the Cybernet office’s sustainable design. The implementation of Activity-Based Working (ABW) enables employees to adapt their workspaces according to their needs, fostering a dynamic and responsive environment.

This adaptability is supported by innovative furniture solutions, such as modular seating and sliding glass partitions, which allow spaces to be reconfigured for various functions—from focused work to collaborative meetings and social interactions. By maximizing the utility of each area, the design reduces the spatial and material waste often associated with static, single-purpose layouts.

Natural lighting

One of the central pillars of this project is the emphasis on natural lighting, a feature that not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the workspace but also aligns with scientific findings that correlate natural light with improved worker well-being and productivity.

The open-plan layout, combined with transparent partitions, ensures that daylight permeates throughout the office, significantly reducing the reliance on artificial lighting. This conscious design decision reflects a broader strategy of minimizing energy consumption while promoting a healthy and uplifting environment for employees.

Design strategies

As a design philosophy, Minimalism underpins the entire project and aligns with Cybernet’s directive to declutter and streamline the office. The design reduces material usage and creates a clean, efficient space by eliminating unnecessary items and optimizing storage solutions.

The sustainable and nature-inspired office for Cybernet draws inspiration from biophilic design and the WELL Building Standard, embodied in the BIO-WELL-NESS concept to enhance employee well-being.

Material innovation

The sustainable approach extends to the careful selection of high-quality, durable materials:

Active Surfaces by Fiandre is an advanced antibacterial material for flooring and tables, featuring a patented application of photocatalytic titanium dioxide doped with silver. This technology improves air quality, purifies contaminants, and is self-cleaning, providing a 94 percent viral reduction for SARS-CoV-2, as certified by the University of Milan. Fenix NTM is a super opaque nanotech material known for its elegant look and performance, being highly resistant to scratches, heat, and solvents, with the ability to self-repair micro-scratches.

Variofold by Hawa is a high-quality hardware system for all-glass folding-wall installations, allowing easy sliding of translucent partitions and reducing panel stacking space. Parete RP by Unifor, designed by Renzo Piano, is a modular partition system that efficiently organizes flexible work environments with its slender aluminum profiles and glazed panels. Organoid Natural Surfaces are eco-friendly wallpapers made from natural materials pressed with a binding agent, promoting sustainability and biophilia.

Furniture selection

The Cyber-garden features furniture designed to resemble elements from nature. The colors reflect the four seasons, creating a positive and joyful atmosphere. Green and red tones in the seminar room chair (Catifa 46 by Arper) recall winter and autumn. The use of natural materials such as wooden chairs and terracotta planters promotes a sense of serenity and harmony.

Indoor plants

A collaboration with florist HitoHana enhances the space with vibrant indoor plants that improve air quality and mental well-being.

Sense of smell

Each of the seven meeting rooms features unique sound-absorbing Orgapanel by Shukoh, which are biophilic, sustainable, and made with Organoid® Natural Surfaces. Each room is characterized by a specific scent—vanilla, alpine hay, moss, cornflower, lavender, rose, and jasmine—making them easily recognizable. The panels not only enhance the atmosphere with their pleasant aroma but can also be used as whiteboard magnets or arranged creatively into geometric shapes.

Workstations

The office layout promotes a "low density" atmosphere with spacious workstations and greater distances between them. Notable furniture includes MDL workstations by Unifor, ID Air and Rookie chairs by Vitra, and various stools by Magis. Customized pieces enhance the design, such as the modular Abax seating by SixInch, inspired by the Japanese soroban abacus, which can be configured in multiple ways.

Thanks to the open-plan and transparent partitions, the office is bright and sunny for most of the day, minimizing the need for artificial lighting. This project aimed to create a bright and innovative office, promoting wellness and creative collisions through flexibility and technology.