Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Minato Mirai Innovation Center LIGHTHOUSE
| address | Yokohama City, Kanagawa prefecture |
|---|---|
| Completion date | February 2023 |
| scale |
920㎡ |
| Number of residents | 130 people |
| Main construction details | Layout design, interior design, furniture, planting plan, office operation support |
- The above information is at the time of completion.
A trial office that practices autonomous working styles, aiming to foster a culture that generates interactions that lead to new ideas and innovation
The Minato Mirai Innovation Center, which opened in 2020 as the core R&D base for Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in eastern Japan, constructed a co-working space called LIGHTHOUSE throughout the building to promote a more free and autonomous way of working, which was the original concept behind the construction. With various mechanisms to improve work efficiency and a story-telling interior design, the space promotes cross-departmental exchanges that lead to innovation and demonstrates individual performance and synergy between business divisions.
Exterior
Exterior
The Minato Mirai Innovation Center also operates open labs such as "Mulabo!", a science experience facility for children, and "Murata Interactive Communication Space," an exhibition space for developed technologies.
Coworking space "LIGHTHOUSE"
Coworking space "LIGHTHOUSE"
Seven activity areas have been set up in an open space. The areas are gently divided by different ceiling and floor coverings and the height of the furniture. The sound gradation design allows people to concentrate on their work without being distracted by their surroundings, with areas where people tend to gather in the front and areas for concentrated work in the back.
「LIGHTHOUSE CAFE」
「LIGHTHOUSE CAFE」
The LIGHTHOUSE CAFE is a hub for interaction. People naturally gather around a large veneer table located in the center of the facility, and information is shared.
Information sharing/idea generation
Information sharing/idea generation
Featuring tables and tiered furniture, the casual setting is perfect for team information sharing and project work.
presentation
presentation
The presentation booth encourages information sharing with sofa seats that draw the eye towards the center. A high counter is installed behind the booth to encourage spontaneous interaction.
Miscellaneous (chat/consultation)
Miscellaneous (chat/consultation)
Sofa seats are placed in areas with good views by the windows, while shelves and plants are used to control the view of the surrounding area.
Miscellaneous (chat/consultation)
Miscellaneous (chat/consultation)
Just inside the main entrance, there is a spacious sofa seating area. The shelf behind it creates a secluded atmosphere, making it ideal for a short break.
Co-work
Co-work
The raised co-work area encourages a change of perspective due to the difference in height. The steps are used to generate a variety of activities. Pendant lighting, designed with safety in mind to prevent falling or breaking in the event of an earthquake, creates a casual atmosphere.
Co-work
Co-work
All seats are equipped with monitors, making it easy to concentrate on work and to interact with fellow colleagues. Glass partitions with a wave design gently divide the concentrated work area.
Miscellaneous (chat/consultation)
Miscellaneous (chat/consultation)
The family restaurant seats, where you can hold meetings while sharing information on the monitor, are a popular spot for business travelers. The window seats with a nice view are also refreshing.
Concentration Work
Concentration Work
Enclosed booths and partition panels create concentrated work areas that block line of sight and sound. Plants are hung on the window surfaces, allowing greenery to be seen even from booth seats not facing the windows, creating a refreshing effect.
Web Booth
Web Booth
There are booths for one person where you can hold web conferences without worrying about the line of sight or noise of others. At the back, there are also individual seats and a SPEAK OUT booth where you can output sound.
Original graphics
Original graphics
A variety of original graphic items were created to encourage people to move between floors. The designed logo, "LIGHTHOUSE," was displayed at the main entrance and on area guide signs, heightening anticipation for the facility.
User's Voice
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Minato Mirai Innovation Center
Osamu Iwato, Manager, Environment and Safety Division, Administration Department
In response to the question of what steps should be taken to create a facility that would be used to promote new ways of working, ITOKI made it clear that in addition to a concept and sophisticated spatial design, it is not enough to simply build the facility; operation is also important.
It was reassuring to hear them say that they would be there to support us from operation to creating rules. During the tour of the ITOKI headquarters office, they not only explained the good aspects of the work style they practiced in their company, but also explained the areas they could improve on, and fed that back into the LIGHTHOUSE plan. Thanks to their efforts, we were able to complete a facility where employees could work freely, just as we had intended.
The result of this project is that we have been able to provide a space that fosters interaction and produces new ideas, and I am confident that LIGHTHOUSE will become the standard for new ways of working at Murata Manufacturing.
Comment
Coworking space "LIGHTHOUSE"
After giving careful consideration to the challenges of working at the Minato Mirai Innovation Center and the significance of establishing a co-working space within our own R&D base, we proposed a space that would serve as a "guidepost" for new ways of working for our employees.
Not only does it increase work productivity, it also creates connections across departments and serves as a catalyst for new innovation.
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Designer
Saaya Izawa