Introduction: Transforming a Restaurant into an Office
The NSF-E Satellite Office, designed by Kenta Nagai Studio, breathes new life into a former restaurant space, repurposing it into a satellite office for NSF-E, a joint venture between SONY and NTT in Yokohama. This adaptive reuse project aimed to address evolving social dynamics by establishing an office in a residential area, minimizing the need for employees to commute to city centers while keeping costs low.
Preservation and Adaptation
Respecting the site’s history, the design prioritized minimal intervention, seeking to maintain harmony with the surrounding environment. By repurposing the existing structure of the restaurant, the project embraced sustainable practices and cost-effectiveness, ensuring flexibility to accommodate future changes.
Flexible Workspaces
A key feature of the office is its flexible layout, designed to foster connectivity with the outdoors. A large communal table situated in the open space allows employees to work amidst two side courtyards, promoting a sense of openness and connection with nature. Additionally, private spaces were carved out from the original kitchen area, offering employees the freedom to choose their preferred work environment.
Integration with the Surrounding Environment
Utilizing the existing height of the kitchen floor, the design strategically controls sightlines, ensuring that employees feel connected to the outdoors regardless of their location within the office. The use of particle board for furniture minimizes visual clutter while enhancing sound absorption, contributing to a comfortable and distraction-free work environment.
Creating a Unique Experience
By leveraging the site and building conditions of a residential area, the NSF-E Satellite Office offers a distinctive working environment that contrasts with traditional city-center offices. Emphasizing a harmonious relationship with the external environment, this project demonstrates the potential of adaptive reuse to create inspiring and functional spaces.
Conclusion: A Vision of Innovation
The NSF-E Satellite Office exemplifies the power of creative design to repurpose existing spaces and meet the evolving needs of modern workplaces. By embracing sustainability, flexibility, and connectivity with nature, Kenta Nagai Studio has transformed a former restaurant into a dynamic and inviting office environment, setting a new standard for satellite offices in urban settings.
