Salhaus Redefines Urban Workspaces with Sreed Ebisu T

Tokyo’s innovative timber office building blends comfort and collaboration

The Sreed Ebisu T office building in Tokyo, designed by Salhaus, stands as a pioneering response to the evolving needs of workplaces in a post-pandemic world. Conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic, the project addresses a critical question: what makes an office worth visiting when remote work is possible? Salhaus’s answer is an architecture that combines the comfort of home with the irreplaceable value of in-person collaboration, setting a new standard for urban workspaces.

This nine-story structure introduces a unique hybrid of steel post-and-beam framing with timber seismic frames, a system Salhaus calls the “seismic timber lattice shell.” Unlike typical timber buildings that merely substitute materials, Sreed Ebisu T leverages timber’s inherent warmth and spatial qualities. The timber lattice not only provides seismic resilience but also serves as a prominent interior feature, creating relaxed, inviting workspaces that foster creativity and well-being.

Technical innovation is at the heart of this project. While urban timber architecture in Japan often relies on fire-resistant certifications and conventional layouts, Salhaus sought to maximize timber’s spatial value. The building’s 564.7m² total floor area includes retail and restaurant spaces on the lower floors, with offices above. Each floor integrates timber elements as both structural and aesthetic features, while evacuation staircases and balconies ensure safety and compliance with building codes.

Collaboration and interaction are central to the building’s design. Salhaus reimagined the staircase as more than an emergency route, transforming it into a daily pathway lined with terraces that encourage spontaneous meetings and outdoor breaks. These shared spaces are designed to stimulate cross-company communication, enhancing creativity and productivity among tenants.

The realization of Sreed Ebisu T required overcoming significant technical challenges, particularly in the precise integration of steel and timber components. Salhaus collaborated closely with skilled fabricators, utilizing 3D data to ensure accuracy and seamless assembly. The project also advances sustainable construction in Japan, addressing both CO2 reduction and the use of domestic timber resources. By employing timber as a seismic bracing element, the design achieves both structural strength and exposed interior beauty without extensive fireproofing.

Sreed Ebisu T has garnered international recognition, winning the Silver A' Design Award in 2025 for its exceptional blend of technical expertise and artistic innovation. The building not only sets a new benchmark for urban timber architecture but also offers a blueprint for future workspaces that prioritize comfort, sustainability, and human connection.

Salhaus’s Sreed Ebisu T demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform the office into a destination—one that inspires collaboration, supports well-being, and responds to the changing rhythms of contemporary work life.