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News room

2026/11/13

News Workplace Product AWARD

Itoki's "ITOKI DESIGN HOUSE SHIGA" wins the "Winner of the Year" award in the Showroom category of the international spatial design award "FRAME Awards 2026".

It received the highest rating from among more than 1,000 applications.

ITOKI CORPORATION (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Koji Minato)'s own facility, "ITOKI DESIGN HOUSE SHIGA," was selected as the "Winner of the Year" in the Showroom category of the international interior and spatial design award "FRAME Awards 2026," chosen from among the top five projects.

This award was announced on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at the awards ceremony held in Eindhoven, Netherlands. From over 1,000 entries, it was selected as the Grand Prix winner (world's number one) after a final judging by the Grand Jury.

ITOKI DESIGN HOUSE SHIGA：https://wsd.itoki.jp/projects/workplace/idh-shiga/

Background and evaluation points of the award

The FRAME Awards, organized by the Dutch design media outlet FRAME, are one of the world's most prestigious interior and spatial design awards. "ITOKI DESIGN HOUSE SHIGA" received the GOLD award (highest rating, score of 8.29) in the Showroom category during the monthly judging and was selected as one of the top 5 finalists for the year.

The following points were highly praised by the international judges during this year's annual review:

1. The philosophy of a working showroom: "Showcasing the act of working itself"

Going beyond the conventional framework of a "static showroom displaying finished products" or a "closed office," the manufacturing line and offices are adjacent across all four floors. What sets it apart is how the actual manufacturing process—from disassembling chairs to prototyping and sketching—has been elevated into an exhibition space.

2. Renovation of existing buildings (adaptive reuse) and circular design

By making the most of the existing structure instead of demolishing the aging factory facilities, initial carbon emissions (embodied carbon) are suppressed. A modular system is adopted to facilitate future layout changes and demolition.

3. Materials and environmental graphics rooted in local culture and environment

The design and functionality are highly integrated, as evidenced by the use of local materials such as naturally growing reeds ("yoshi") harvested for environmental conservation of Lake Biwa and locally sourced granite, as well as the "Living Scale" concept, which incorporates actual dimensions into the space itself.

ITOKI DESIGN HOUSE SHIGA

At Itoki's mother factory, which is now 30 years old, a renovation has been carried out with the aim of becoming a "manufacturing base that leads the industry." While addressing challenges unique to manufacturing bases, such as employee engagement and retention, a new working environment has been realized based on the concept of "co-creation."

In terms of spatial design, the four-story building is structured to connect "public to private" in stages, with external co-creation spaces, laboratories, office floors, and a cafeteria arranged accordingly. Furthermore, a grid design that expresses the precision of manufacturing, and the incorporation of local materials from Shiga Prefecture such as reeds and granite, express a design philosophy unique to a manufacturing site throughout the entire space.

In terms of work styles, we have created an environment where people from both inside and outside the company can interact, leading to the generation of new ideas and value creation. We are addressing challenges unique to manufacturing sites, such as talent acquisition and improved engagement, while also proposing a new work style model for the manufacturing industry.

For more details, please see "ITOKI WORK-Style Design".
https://wsd.itoki.jp/projects/workplace/idh-shiga/

Designers: Isamu Takeda / Daisuke Nishida / Miho Yoshino / Riku Matsuki
Photo: Ooki Jingu

Past press releases:
Itoki renovates its chair factory in Omihachiman, Shiga Prefecture, transforming it into "ITOKI DESIGN HOUSE SHIGA," a place where people and development can thrive.
https://www.itoki.jp/company/news/2026/0123_itokidesignhouseshiga/

About FRAME Awards 2026

The FRAME Awards are an international design award that celebrates outstanding work in interior, spatial, and product design. Each entry is judged on four criteria: Innovation, Form, Functionality, and Eco-Social Impact.

In 2026, there were over 1,000 entries, and the top five in each category were selected for the shortlist. After a final judging by the Grand Jury, the "Winner of the Year" in each category will be determined.

FRAME Awards Official Website:
Frameweb | Interior design and architecture magazine exploring what's next in spatial design.
FRAME Awards 2026 Award-Winning Article:
Frameweb | Meet the spatial winners of the FRAME Awards 2026

What is ITOKI DESIGN HOUSE?

ITOKI DESIGN HOUSE is an office where you can envision, practice, and experience the next generation of work styles.
Combining the functions of a showroom, gallery, and laboratory, it fuses technology such as ergonomics and data utilization with spatial and product design that appeals to human sensibilities. We are creating, testing, and continuously refining next-generation ways of working.
Starting in 2025, major locations across Japan will be sequentially rebranded as "ITOKI DESIGN HOUSE." Beginning with the newly opened "ITOKI DESIGN HOUSE SENDAI," we will create a new culture of WORK-Style by bringing together working people, designers, and business partners from Japan and abroad, while rooting ourselves in the industries and communities of each city.

▼ITOKI DESIGN HOUSE website
https://idh.itoki.jp/

About Itoki's Workplace Business

ITOKI CORPORATION was founded in 1890. With the mission statement of "We Design Tomorrow. We Design WORK-Style. the company supports the creation of a variety of spaces, environments, and places, leveraging its strengths in "AI x Design based on people," including the manufacture and sale of office furniture, office space design, “Space," “Environment," and “Place" consulting, and office data analysis services, as well as furniture for working from home and studying at home, and equipment for public facilities and logistics facilities.

As hybrid work becomes more common and places and ways of working become more diverse, we are developing spatial digital transformation to enhance productivity and creativity, as well as consulting services to support optimal office operations. We are also proactively collaborating with external designers and partner companies to propose new work styles and workplaces for the future.