Kanto New Office Encouragement Award
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. Head Office
| address | Minato-ku, Tokyo |
|---|---|
| Completion date | May 2023 |
| scale | 7 floors 9,800㎡ |
| Number of residents | Approximately 1,000 people |
| Main construction details | Space total planning |
- The above information is at the time of completion.
The concept is "connect at any time." The bold renovation involved removing the walls that separated the north and south floors and connecting the three floors with an internal staircase.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. operates numerous ships around the world and engages in various social infrastructure businesses, centering on the shipping industry. For the company's head office renovation project, ITOKI was in charge of comprehensive support, from project management and layout planning to furniture selection and delivery. Based on the concept of "connecting at any time," the office was completed in a way that allows employees to work faster and more seamlessly across departmental boundaries.
Cross-functional space
Cross-functional space
Located in the center of the floor, this space encourages interaction with other departments. By changing the use of each floor, it encourages movement between floors.
Office area
Office area
A workspace with an increased variety of desks and shared meeting rooms, offering greater freedom in choosing where to work.
Office area (open communication)
Office area (open communication)
The central area of the office has a sense of openness, with the north and south walls removed. Open meeting seating is now concentrated here.
Executive area (private room)
Executive area (private room)
The executive offices were moved to the general office floor, and the area was renovated to make it more convenient for employees to stop by, with more glass surfaces.
SOSC (Safety Operation Support Center)
SOSC (Safety Operation Support Center)
The SOSC plays a central role in ensuring safe operation. All the information necessary for safe operation is displayed on a large LED display.
SOSC (Safety Operation Support Center)
SOSC (Safety Operation Support Center)
The person on duty monitors the ship 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The open space allows for quick information sharing with other departments.
Crisis Management Office
Crisis Management Office
The crisis response room adjacent to the SOSC is equipped with a large display and a web conferencing system, and is capable of responding to any type of crisis.
Office area (pantry and utility space)
Office area (pantry and utility space)
Pantry and utility spaces are concentrated around the IDF (equipment collection space). Information is also disseminated via ceiling-mounted signage.
Work area (executive room)
Work area (executive room)
Each floor has private rooms for 3-4 executives. The partitions are navy blue, evoking an image of calm and serenity.
Executive area (communication lounge)
Executive area (communication lounge)
An executive and staff communication lounge with a stately feel that can also be used for reception purposes.
Internal Staircase
Internal Staircase
An internal staircase connects the three floors where departments involved in ship operation are located. Floor signs with a compass motif and marine lamps create an MOL feel.
Office area (shared meeting room)
Office area (shared meeting room)
A shared conference room suitable for a variety of meetings. A whiteboard, monitor, and conference system are permanently installed as standard in the conference room.
User's Voice
MOL Business Support Co., Ltd.
Director and General Affairs Department Manager (Project Leader, Corporate Planning Department, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.)
Motomu Funayama
Our company is working on work style reform, based on the idea that we need to streamline our operations, as well as innovative ideas that are not bound by conventional patterns, and the culture and organizational strength to put them into practice. As part of this, with the support of Itoki, we conducted a trial run of an office that introduced a hot desking system in 2019. The improvement in employee satisfaction and work efficiency prompted us to decide on this company-wide renewal.
What we wanted for our new office was to be an operations center that operates 800 ships and to be able to work faster and more seamlessly. Itoki fully understood our desire and created an office that would encourage active communication across departmental boundaries based on the concept of "connecting at any time." In addition, their extensive knowledge of ICT has made the transition to a hybrid work style smooth.
Work styles change with the times. We plan to continue teaming up with Itoki, making updates and striving to create an even better office for our employees.
Comment
Designer
Aoi Tanaka
From the beginning of the project, we felt that the company had a strong desire for safety and unity as its operations center, so we worked on the project with the desire to create an office that could embody that desire. Based on the office concept of "connecting at any time," we created an office that is physically and psychologically connected by creating mechanisms and spaces to promote communication across departments. Although it was a large-scale renovation of seven floors, the fact that we had repeated discussions not only with the company's administrative staff but also with each department and that the entire company worked on the project was a major driving force toward completion. For us designers, we feel that it was an invaluable experience to be involved in the creation of a space that supports the operation of ships, including SOSC.
Project Manager
Masashi Imai
"I didn't think it would be completed on schedule." This is a memorable project that we received such words from the client. During the project, various design changes were made from the original plan, such as increasing the number of floors from five to seven, adding an internal staircase connecting three floors, and installing a large video wall consisting of 16 displays. Despite this, we were able to complete the project on schedule, and I believe that the synergistic effect of our navigation and the company's quick "decision-making process" was a major factor. Our consideration of the balance between valuing communication that made it easy for the client to make decisions and leading the project with free thinking, as well as the company's speedy decision-making, all worked well, leading to completion without delay.
I am personally excited about the birth of the "Always Connected Office," which incorporates a variety of new initiatives, such as opening up the executive office and incorporating mechanisms for hybrid work.
Regarding this matter
Contact Us
For inquiries regarding this case, please use the inquiry form below.
Designer
Rie Nishioka