Waterscape Office / co-lab gotanda with JPRE

-Transient waves of light -

We designed shared office spaces intended to bring together a diversity of Japanese manufacturing companies and spark the co-creation of new cultural and business values through organic exchanges.



Deliverables included spaces that stimulate creativity and foster interaction among the diverse artisans working in the shared office who promote the use of traditional Japanese manufacturing techniques. Moreover we sought to reflect the history of the district of Gotanda, an area whose name echoes it's rural rice farming origins. Thus grew the idea to create an office space that harmoniously incorporates these elements.



Inspired by traditional Japanese craftsmanship’s techniques for making kimonos using a single piece of cloth, here, a single aluminum sheet is spread across the entire ceiling and fills the space with waves full of vitality, like that of the sunlight shining on the surface of paddy fields of yesteryear.

The overlapping metallic waves create areas of different heights and expanses of space that change freely, just as water flows in a lively and reactive manner, thus suffusing the area with the necessary functions and atmosphere.



In the entrance area, the intense flow of the waves creates a dynamic space where the height of the space changes vertically in dramatic fashion, giving visitors a strong sense of movement, promoting stimulating encounters and ideas.

In the sofa lounge and desk areas, the waves become calmer and the height of the space increases, providing an environment geared for relaxation and concentration along with a sense of openness.

In kitchen areas, waves are kept low and calm, creating an intimate space for people to liven up and enjoy deeper conversations.

Sunny and cloudy skies, sunrise and dusk, and other seasonal and daily changes in natural light are experienced with subtlety, allowing for a variety of atmospheric spatial experiences depending on the location of visitors and the passage of time.



In response to the changes in environmental light, the beautifully transient overarching waterscape produces a mysterious radiance imbued with profound depth that enhances the enjoyment and pleasure of artisans engaged in creative activities.