Laundry: A Co-Sharing Office for Creators

A Unique Design Uniting Spatial Design and Identity

Taiki Kato, a visionary designer, recognized the need for freelance creators to have a physical office space where they could interact with like-minded individuals. To address this disadvantage, he embarked on a project to create a compact and cost-effective co-sharing office called Laundry.

The inspiration for Laundry came from the concept of a minimal and clean interior, reminiscent of office plants. Taiki wanted to create a space that not only provided practicality but also fostered creativity and collaboration among creators.

What sets Laundry apart is its unique combination of spatial design and identity. The project involved renovating a former coin-laundry into a co-sharing office specifically tailored to the needs of creators. The name "Laundry" was chosen to reflect the idea that designers clean various complicated problems in life.

To realize the visual identity of Laundry, Taiki focused on creating a design that would seamlessly integrate with the office's interiors. He chose condensed fonts that are easy to read and recognize, allowing for effective use of white space. This identity was also designed to be adaptable to future keywords or business forms that the office may encounter.

Laundry not only functions as a workspace but also as a medium for various events and activities. It can be transformed into a cafe or host talk shows and workshops, providing creators with new business opportunities and fostering connections among people. The small and low-cost nature of the office makes it easy to bring ideas to life.

The project, which took place in Tokyo, started in January 2016 and was completed in August 2016. Throughout the process, Taiki conducted extensive research, visiting numerous offices and architecture that were graphic designer-friendly. This research led to the adoption of unique features such as using wires to suspend desks, creating a clean and clutter-free environment.

Laundry's design journey was not without its challenges. The most significant hurdle was selecting a space that would be comfortable and conducive to creativity for creators from various backgrounds.

The design of Laundry has been recognized and awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Graphics, Illustration, and Visual Communication Design category in 2017. This prestigious accolade acknowledges the outstanding creativity and resourcefulness of the design, which incorporates best practices in art, science, design, and technology.