Credit Card-Inspired Design Wins Silver at A' Design Awards

Orico Training Center's Unique Design Language Celebrated

Exploring the intersection of corporate identity and architectural design, the Orico Training Center, crafted by Nobuaki Miyashita, has garnered international acclaim with its innovative approach.

Corporate offices often embody the brand's ethos, but the Orico Training Center takes this concept to a new level. The design, inspired by the stratification of credit cards from normal to platinum, reflects the diverse experiences these financial tools offer. Miyashita's vision was to create a space that unfolds the infinite universes behind each card, a metaphor for the company's expansive reach.

Distinctive for its card-shaped partitions, the center's interior mimics the precise dimensions of a credit card, including the corner radius and thickness. This multi-layered design approach not only reinforces Orico's identity but also introduces a novel spatial experience. The use of the credit card-specific international standard font, Farrington 7B, for signage further cements the thematic consistency throughout the facility.

Technological innovation is at the heart of the center's design realization. The card partition walls, designed to detach from the ceiling and floor, create a cantilevered structure that seems to defy gravity. This dynamic arrangement, coupled with strategic lighting, emphasizes the card motif and adheres to practical considerations such as natural smoke extraction.

The center's specifications are as impressive as its design, with a total floor area of 2,397.59 m2 spread across four floors and a basement. The structure, primarily made of reinforced concrete, stands tall at a maximum height of 17.75 m, showcasing the grandeur of the design.

Functionality and adaptability are key in the center's operation. Designed for collaborative training with privacy in mind, the space has been adapted for dual use as a satellite and touch-down office in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This adaptability ensures that the center remains a versatile and comfortable environment for both training and office work.

Located in a serene Tokyo neighborhood, the Orico Training Center was completed in March 2021. The design team faced the challenge of fostering communication in a shared space without compromising individual privacy. Drawing from traditional Japanese architecture, they crafted a solution that balances openness with personal space, a testament to their innovative problem-solving approach.

The Orico Training Center stands as a testament to the power of design in embodying a brand's identity and values. Its recognition with a Silver A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Category in 2024 is a tribute to the team's dedication to innovation, functionality, and aesthetic excellence.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: Nobuaki Miyashita
Image Credits: Image #1-#5: Photographer Nobuaki Miyashita, Variations, 2021
Project Team Members: Nobuaki Miyashita
Project Name: Orico Training Center
Project Client: Orient Corporation


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