“THE CAMPUS” is a renovated office building originally completed in 1979, with a new concept. The 5-story north wing and the 11-story south wing are connected by a central courtyard, creating a creative space for experimenting with “working, learning, and living,” while it is an office building where approximately 1,000 company staff members work.

The embodiment of the overall concept of “open to the city” within the facility is most evident on the first floor, named PARKSIDE. Here, you can find a coffee stand, a store where you can try and purchase various KOKUYO products, and a lounge area. Neighboring business people can engage in desk work while enjoying their coffee, students can study, and children can come and play, allowing for a variety of purposes and free activities. On the wood deck facing the street, three-dimensional artworks resembling furniture created by the artist unit studio BOWL are installed, and it is said that families come to play and enjoy the sight.

“By providing public spaces, we were able to connect with people we wouldn’t have met in traditional work settings. Shinagawa Station and its surroundings are often associated with business districts, but now, families, students and various individuals utilize the space, giving us valuable insights for the future of work and lifestyle considerations,” said Tetsuro Yasunaga from the Creative room of the Corporate Planning Division, who was in charge of producing THE CAMPUS.

The open-to-the-city office was also a proposal for a new way of working. With the opening of THE CAMPUS, the corporate philosophy was refreshed to “be Unique.” It embodies the aspiration of contributing as a company to creating a society where everyone can express their creativity and uniqueness vibrantly.
The permanent exhibition of art is one of them. Paintings, photographs, and three-dimensional works by 12 Japanese and international artists, including Zon Ito, Margaret Lee, Damien Poulin, Justine Hill, Dan McCarthy, SHIMURAbros, Daisuke Yokota, and yang02, are on display in public areas on the first floor, conference rooms on the second floor, and offices on the third floor and upper floors.

These works were selected not by a curator or gallerist, but by an in-house project team led by Mr. Yasunaga.
“As we proceeded with planning for the renewal, the idea of incorporating art naturally emerged. If we were to include it, we wanted to make sure that it aligns with the facility’s concept and holds significant meaning for us. It was initiated as an independent project with its own identity.”

Therefore, they set three perspectives: “something that prompts consideration of social issues,” “something that generate dialogue through artworks,” and “something that allows contemplation of questions without definitive answers.” Based on these perspectives, they selected the works.

Some of the new works created for THE CAMPUS were produced in collaboration with company staff members. Since the artist, Damien Poulin, who lives in France, was unable to visit Japan due to the COVID-19 pandemic, company staff members participated in a workshop format while communicating via Zoom.

“We created this work with dozens of volunteers while staying connected with Paris and seeking advice. At the time, we faced a challenge where our new staff members who joined the company during the COVID-19 pandemic had never met each other in person. This project was designed as an opportunity to foster communication, different from a typical training program. During that time, Mr. Poulin said, ‘Creating beauty cannot be done alone. It takes everyone’ I was impressed by that.”

In addition to hosting visits and tours from external parties interested in the facility’s experimental approach, Mr. Yasunaga also conducts art tours for internal staff members once every month or two.
“Company staff members participating in the tour have various levels of interests and knowledge about art. I am conscious of not only ‘what is depicted’ in the artwork, but also how society is reflected in it and the thoughts that go beyond it, considering that there is an artist as a human being behind the creation.”

After spending about an hour touring the works within the company, he provides time for casual conversation.
Some company staff members who participated in the tour mentioned that the presence of art, which seemed distant before, became more familiar.

THE CAMPUS, which stimulates both inside and outside the office, provides a proposal for a new office concept by contemplating the company’s identity through art. At its core, there is a sincere commitment to respect each company staff member’s “individuality” and a strong desire to contribute to society.

Japanese original text: Emi Sato
Photo: Aya Hatakenaka (excluding ★)

Translation: Kae Shigeno