S-ANNEX

In recent years, office spaces and work styles have undergone dramatic changes. Behind these changes are the evolution of the Internet environment, the spread of remote work, changes in lifestyle due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and work style reforms. These changes have had a profound impact on the design of office spaces, and have forced us to fundamentally rethink the concept of the office.

In the past, offices were places where employees gathered at set times and worked in set locations. However, with the spread of Wi-Fi and cloud services, it has become possible to work in cafes, at home, and even while traveling, and office spaces are becoming more flexible and fluid. It is no longer necessary for all employees to gather in the same place, and as a result of the decrease in face-to-face communication, the function of the office has been redefined from a “place to concentrate” to a “place to interact,” and it is becoming a space that requires more “comfort” than ever before.

This project’s design clearly reflects this recent “change in perspective on workspaces.” At first glance, this space looks like a living room in a home, but there are no desks or office chairs lined up, and there is not even a fixed meeting space. On the other hand, a sauna has been incorporated, placing importance on spatial design that takes well-being, i.e. “refreshment and relaxation,” into consideration. Saunas provide not only physical refreshment but also mental relaxation, and are a new element that has been considered to have the polar opposite function for so-called office spaces that “ultimately contribute to improving work productivity.”

As further changes in social structure are expected in the future, we expect that the nature of office spaces will continue to change as well. While remote work has become established, we have also seen a glimpse of the reality that the importance of face-to-face interaction and team building is being reevaluated. In any case, will the office of the future evolve into a multifunctional space that combines communication and relaxation, rather than simply a place to work? And I believe that not only saunas, but also design designs that include relaxation functions will play an increasingly important role in the design of future office spaces.