Nice Co., Ltd. Head Office Renovation

Head Office project involves the renovation of the headquarters of NICE Co., Ltd., a company that distributes timber and building materials, in conjunction with its 70th anniversary. Our company was selected as the winner of the proposal competition.
With the concept of "understanding trees and communicating about them," we aimed to create a facility that contributes to building a brighter society with trees by establishing a hub where specialists in "wood" can gather and create a sustainable cycle centered on wood, ultimately revitalizing the distribution of wood.

We considered the first and second floors, where we welcome visitors, and the eighth floor, which houses the reception rooms, as spaces to appeal to customers, and concept design them using Nice's original wood products as materials.
In the lobby, dynamic wooden columns extending to the high, open ceiling and vertical blinds made of lace material attached to large glass windows gently block views from the outside world. Scattered glass lamps evoke the feeling of sunlight filtering through trees, creating a welcoming space that makes the most of the large area.
On the 7th floor, where employees gather, we have created a meeting room and library corner where employees can enjoyably and spontaneously engage with "trees," making it a craftsman's space where technology can be gathered and accessed. By creating spaces for concentration and spaces that encourage active communication, we have designed a flexible space configuration that supports the working style of each individual employee.


[Social Issues / Customer Issues / Requests]
The specific requests for this renovation included creating an office environment that symbolizes sustainability through concept design and shared values, such as "decarbonization and wood-based materials," and improving communication during the COVID-19 pandemic.


[Solution]
To realize our strong desire to use wood, we worked closely with the project manager at Nice Co., Ltd. and the staff at their own factory, proceeding with concept design while deciding on the materials and wood tones.
The employee communication area is designed without defined boundaries, using curved bookshelves as a central feature, and softly dividing the space with furniture such as family-restaurant-style benches and solo desks for focused work. The raised access floor allows for flexible working arrangements.


[Customer Feedback]
Thanks to NOMURA Co.,Ltd. Ltd.'s involvement, we were able to create a sophisticated and tranquil hospitality space reminiscent of a hotel lobby—something we would never have conceived on our own.
This time, various of our company's products and tree species were used as materials. What could easily have resulted in a mismatched impression was brilliantly harmonized with the characteristics of each tree species and the space, resulting in a wood-based renovation befitting a company rooted in "wood." We are deeply grateful to NOMURA Co.,Ltd. for their exceptional concept design and technical capabilities.


<Our project members>
[Development] Takuya Kitai
[Sales & Project Management] Takuya Kitai, Midori Nakayabu, Seishun Yoshii
[design, layout] Sachiko Taihiji, Nao Hiura
[Production and construction] Ryowa Hirowatari, Nozomi Iwashita, Nohara Kikuchi