intersecting beams and large table divide yet connect workers at compact office in tokyo

intersecting beams and large table divide yet connect workers at compact office in tokyo

ultra studio transforms cramped, shared office space

 

Responding to limited space constraints, ULTRA STUDIO has transformed a cramped Tokyo office by installing a large table that divides the space while allowing workers to convene. The design concept reimagines how multiple companies can share a compact work space, incorporating faux beams and a column to organize the office while maintaining an open, collaborative environment. Facing the greenery of the neighboring Akasaka Imperial Villa, the layout maximizes functionality and comfort within a distorted triangular floor plan.

intersecting beams and large table divide yet connect workers at ultra studio's compact office in tokyo
all images by Tomoyuki Kusunose

 

 

intersecting beams create distorted divisions

 

The office is located on the fourth floor of a multi-tenant building, featuring windows on the longest side that overlooks the gardens. Within, ULTRA STUDIO sought to maximize functionality within the small floor space — hosting four different companies — ensuring that different activities can coexist without affecting comfort of the users.

 

Originally, the space featured an RC beam on the ceiling, visually dividing the room into two sections: one facing the windows and one towards the entrance. The Japanese Studio introduced an additional perpendicular beam, effectively creating four loosely defined zones. The design solution then centered around a square desk, three meters on each side, which allows for adequate distance between occupants while still fostering a shared workspace. The intersection of the four beams and the center of the desk are slightly offset, which the team connected with a fake pillar. The role of this element, which is non-structural and slightly tilted, remains essentially ambiguous, reintegrating the space by giving it a centripetal character.

intersecting beams and large table divide yet connect workers at ultra studio's compact office in tokyo
ULTRA STUDIO transforms cramped, shared office space

intersecting beams and large table divide yet connect workers at ultra studio's compact office in tokyo
a large table that divides the space while allowing workers to convene and work together

intersecting beams and large table divide yet connect workers at ultra studio's compact office in tokyo
the space is shared by four different companies

intersecting beams and large table divide yet connect workers at ultra studio's compact office in tokyo
faux beams and a column to organize the office while maintaining and open, collaborative environment

intersecting beams and large table divide yet connect workers at ultra studio's compact office in tokyo
an irregular triangular floor plan

ultra-studio-office-table-tokyo-designboom-6

originally, the space featured an RC beam on the ceiling, visually dividing the room into two sections

intersecting beams and large table divide yet connect workers at ultra studio's compact office in tokyo
the perpendicular beam effectively creates four loosely defined zones

intersecting beams and large table divide yet connect workers at ultra studio's compact office in tokyo
the layout maximizes functionality and comfort

intersecting beams and large table divide yet connect workers at compact office in tokyo
windows on the longest side overlook the gardens

intersecting beams and large table divide yet connect workers at compact office in tokyo
an industrial feel

ultra-studio-office-table-tokyo-designboom-5

the office facade

 

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project info:

 

name: Office with a shared table
architect: ULTRA STUDIO | @ultrastudio_jp

location: Tokyo, Japan

 

 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: ravail khan | designboom

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