HIBIKOKU TERRACE

A permanent, green, outdoor office space that proposes new ways of working, created by renovating the basement floor of a building in the city center

  • Business Spaces
  • A park on the basement floor of a complex building has been transformed into a "useful outdoor office" for office workers.

    A park on the basement floor of a complex building has been transformed into a "useful outdoor office" for office workers.

  • The large grid of greenery, based on the motif of "Hibi" (a raft or net used to attach cultivated seaweed), which is the origin of the name Hibiya, retains the memory of the land.

    The large grid of greenery, based on the motif of "Hibi" (a raft or net used to attach cultivated seaweed), which is the origin of the name Hibiya, retains the memory of the land.

  • We have developed a manual so that anyone can use the permanent outdoor office and are proposing new ways of working.

    We have developed a manual so that anyone can use the permanent outdoor office and are proposing new ways of working.

  • Enjoy the fun of choosing a seat on the terrace depending on your mood or purpose, whether that be at a table or on the greenery.

    Enjoy the fun of choosing a seat on the terrace depending on your mood or purpose, whether that be at a table or on the greenery.

  • By utilizing the open atrium and placing tall trees appropriately, the space blends healing with the city.

    By utilizing the open atrium and placing tall trees appropriately, the space blends healing with the city.

  • At night, the cafe is lit up with green and white lights. The layout allows both people who want to continue working in the lit space and those who want to enjoy a drink.

    At night, the cafe is lit up with green and white lights. The layout allows both people who want to continue working in the lit space and those who want to enjoy a drink.

  • A facility logo sign embodying the branding of the permanent outdoor office will be installed in front of the gate as a seating object.

    A facility logo sign embodying the branding of the permanent outdoor office will be installed in front of the gate as a seating object.

  • HIBIKOKU TERRACE
  • The large grid of greenery, based on the motif of "Hibi" (a raft or net used to attach cultivated seaweed), which is the origin of the name Hibiya, retains the memory of the land.
  • We have developed a manual so that anyone can use the permanent outdoor office and are proposing new ways of working.
  • Enjoy the fun of choosing a seat on the terrace depending on your mood or purpose, whether that be at a table or on the greenery.
  • By utilizing the open atrium and placing tall trees appropriately, the space blends healing with the city.
  • At night, the cafe is lit up with green and white lights. The layout allows both people who want to continue working in the lit space and those who want to enjoy a drink.
  • A facility logo sign embodying the branding of the permanent outdoor office will be installed in front of the gate as a seating object.

Photo: Taichi Misonoo

About the Project

Overview With the large-scale renovation of the Hibiya International Building (completed in 1981), we aimed to differentiate the building from nearby offices undergoing new development, while also increasing added value with new ideas and revitalizing the building. By turning the sunken garden on the first basement floor into a "usable outdoor office" for office workers, we not only increased the asset value of the building, but also created a space to attract new tenants and propose work-life integration involving workers in the surrounding area of the building.
Issues/Themes Utilizing the public open space within the building site as a convenient facility for building tenants. Utilizing the plaza with a futsal court in front of the building entrance to make it easier to enter the building. Improving satisfaction for employees in the building and creating a hot topic spot.
Space Solution/Realization As a place for new ways of working, we planned a "permanent outdoor office" rather than a temporary one. It is different from conventional pocket parks that are based on park functions, and incorporates many functions of an ABW office (※). By allowing people to choose where they want to work based on their mood and purpose, this facility will propose and lead new ways of working in Hibiya.
The scaled-out grid layout controls the rustic feel, while incorporating the sophistication that is unique to the city. The clever placement of tall trees makes use of the atrium to create a perfect blend of relaxation and urban atmosphere, enhancing comfort.
*ABW (Activity Based Working): A work style in which you choose where to work based on the nature of the work.
Design for Environment Universal design: Taking into consideration the diverse range of workers and small children visiting from the adjacent Hibiya Park, the walkways are wide, the grass is laid to reduce pain if a person falls, and seating areas are low and deep.
Safety design: Because it is a facility that anyone can use, consideration was given to rounded corners, anti-slip properties, and good drainage, and large fixtures and trees over 5m tall were constructed to withstand wind speeds of over 50m/s after structural calculations. In addition, everything is covered with grass to act as a cushion in case of falls.

Basic Information

Client MITSUBISHI ESTATE CO., LTD.
Services Provided Business Type Planning, facility concept planning, Merchandising Planning, Design, Layout, construction, Logo Design, Project Management
Our Team Planning: Reiji Hattori, Toru Ando
Creative Direction, Design, Layout: Tsuruya Masami
Production and construction: Kenji Nosaka, Ryota Kadena
Logo Design: Minori Ozaki
Project Management: Hyoe Ito, Shohei Ikeda
Awards 39th Display Industry Award (2020) Display Industry Encouragement Award (Japan Display Industry Association Award)
"KUKAN DESIGN AWARD 2020" BEST100
Location Tokyo, Japan
Open September 2019
Tag
Tsuruya Masami

Creative Direction, Design, Layout

Tsuruya Masami

Their design policy is "creating spaces that can make someone smile." Without being limited by their field or area of work, they participate in a variety of projects, including retail design, corporate exhibitions, public open space revitalization plans, aquariums, hot spring facilities, and welfare facilities. By cross-sectionally linking in-house and external soft resources and carrying out planning and design, they strive to create facilities that meet the desires of business owners and create experiential value.

*The shared information and details of the project is accurate as of the date they were posted. There may have been unannounced changes at a later date.