The sleek space is dominated by a multifunctional piece of ‘super furniture’
In Shibuya, Tokyo, Snohetta has designed a co-working space for Japanese tech company Digital Garage. Located within a high-rise, the co-working space aims to unite nomadic digital work with an atmospheric, interactive physical location.
A piece of ‘super furniture’ – its curving, continuous shape inspired by a brush stroke and signifying the concept of fluidity – dominates the space. Carved from fragrant Japanese cedar wood, it encompasses all core functions of a co-working space, including a reception desk, amphitheatre-like seating, booths for private calls, meeting spaces and individual workspaces. The furniture also prompts interaction and collaboration between users, acting as a unifying design intervention.
The walls of the space are dressed in woollen textile fronts with acoustic backing. In a variety of grey hues, the wall panels are assembled as a pixelated portrayal of Mount Fuji, which can be seen from the building on the horizon.
A ‘sky dome’ of light illuminates the space and forms a design gesture in its own right, with 534 light bulbs assembled to create curved lines across the ceiling, echoing the curved furniture below.
Snohetta has designed various other co-working spaces, including for Slack in New York, as well as within office buildings it has designed including Powerhouse Telemark and Le Monde Group’s HQ.
Photography by Nacasa & Partners
Get a curated collection of architecture and design news like this in your inbox by signing up to our ICON Weekly newsletter
