Star Micronics Co., Head Office 7th Floor Renewal Project

This is an office renovation plan for Star Micronics, Head Office in Shizuoka City whose purpose is to "contribute to the sustainable development of society as a great small and medium-sized enterprise that takes on the world."
The seven-story Head Office had its grand opening in 2017, with open offices on the first six floors and a prestigious, secret executive floor on the seventh floor.
Seven years later, in 2024, the decision was made to use the seventh floor as office space in response to an increase in the number of employees and changes in working styles. Based on a request from Star Micronics, we worked with Kiuchi Construction, a prosperity partner of Star Micronics, to propose, design, and construction, and the building was reopened in February 2025.
The plan, which arranges a light courtyard in the center of the floor with a quiet office area with 40 seats on the east side, an active area where lively discussions take place on the west side, private rooms for executives on the south side, and an executive conference room (usually a work area) on the north side, maintains an open feel while ensuring a suitable sense of distance.

Seven years have passed since the new office building opened in 2017, and issues have become apparent, such as an increase in the number of employees, low occupancy rates of the rooms on the 7th floor, and reduced communication with other floors, so the company requested a renovation plan to resolve these issues.

We proposed a space that would encourage interaction between executives and general employees, and has the potential to spark innovation within the company. Although the executive offices and general work areas are adjacent to each other, they are designed to allow for relaxed interaction without facing each other.
The private rooms are arranged in a staggered pattern, with two entrances and an outdoor-like design for the corridors in front of the rooms, creating the feel of a wide, privately owned shop that welcomes visitors.
On the west side across the light courtyard is STED (Star Precision's internal communication space), which can be used for a wide range of purposes, from simple meetings to presentations such as pitch contests using audio-visual equipment, and stimulates internal communication.
The STED on the west side and the office area on the east side are separated by an outdoor light courtyard, but thanks to the full-length glass, new openings for passage through, and clever floor finishing, the three areas feel like a large, integrated space.
The executive conference room has been designed to be transparent and open so that it can be used as an extension of the work area during normal times, while also allowing the openings to be adjusted to ensure confidentiality and soundproofing when used for executive meetings.
The seventh floor is designed so that the line of sight flows through it, allowing visitors to enjoy views of the surrounding area from all areas.
We contributed to sustainability by making maximum use of interiors materials and furniture that could be reused before the renovation.

The distance between executives and employees has become much closer, making it easier to discuss things with each other. The communication space has become a lively place, with more opportunities to give presentations on each project.