Village Foods: A Fun and Unique Office Design by Atsushi Kawaguchi

Creating a Workspace that Reflects the Company's Values

What crossed the designer's mind when starting the layout was how the office environment of a rapidly expanding restaurant business should be. Ignoring monotonous and stereotypical images of workspaces, the goal was to create an office that makes people feel that work is fun. The result is a space that replicates the look of a store, carefully selecting materials for the interior to bring joy and excitement to visitors.

The office spans a total area of 250 square meters and is located in Tahara city, Aichi, Japan. The project started in October 2015 and was completed in February 2017.

One of the standout features of the design is the use of expressive genuine materials. Solid wood boards, natural stones, and cement and mosaic tiles were carefully selected to create a sense of joyful abundance. By layering and assembling these materials in open spaces, the design achieves a profound and unique aesthetic.

The first floor of the office features an entrance hall and a central kitchen, while the second floor focuses on office functions. A grand staircase in the open-ceiling entrance hall leads visitors straight to the second floor, creating a sense of surprise and excitement. The staircase and surrounding walls are meticulously finished with tile-like wood strips, giving the entrance hall and adjacent lobby space a solid and professional look.

The second floor houses the office space for clerical duties and meeting rooms, which are divided by figured glass to maintain a spacious atmosphere while loosely partitioning the space. Additionally, a cafeteria for employees is located across from the open-ceiling entrance hall, providing a comfortable space to refresh and relax, similar to a coffee shop.

The exterior walls of the office are covered with genuine antique brick tiles, originally used in Vietnamese buildings during the French colonial period. Rather than monotonously juxtaposing the tiles, the design incorporates various patterns to showcase their irregular shape and size. This attention to detail creates a light and impressive exterior, impressing guests with the craftsmanship of the tiling work.

Village Foods' office design by Atsushi Kawaguchi was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design category in 2019. This prestigious award recognizes designs that exhibit strong technical and creative skills, contributing to quality of life improvements.

With its unique and fun approach to office design, Village Foods' office stands as a testament to the company's values and commitment to creating an enjoyable work environment.