JINS Holdings Tokyo Head Office by Fumiko Takahama Architects: Museum-Inspired Workplace Design in Tokyo

Located in Chiyoda City, Tokyo, the new JINS Holdings Tokyo Head Office, designed by Fumiko Takahama Architects, redefines the modern office experience through innovative spatial design, sustainable strategies, and creative work environments. Completed in 2024, this 4,245 m² headquarters was entirely renovated in a rented nine-story building slated for demolition in three years, embracing temporality as a design opportunity rather than a constraint.

Subtractive Design: “Create Space by Demolishing”

The concept of subtractive design guided the renovation process. Instead of building new elements, the architects stripped finishes, opened holes in slabs, and minimized new construction, reflecting decarbonization strategies and sustainable architecture principles. The resulting raw, flexible environment empowers employees to shape their own workspaces, fostering a proactive and adaptive approach to office life. This approach transforms the office from a static workspace into a dynamic, experimental environment that supports innovation and collaboration.

Museum x Office: Fostering Creativity

Inspired by the museum concept, the office is designed to stimulate creativity and idea generation. By reimagining demolished areas as exhibition-like spaces, the headquarters merges work and art. Employees experience an environment that encourages curiosity, exploration, and collaboration, echoing the original venture spirit of JINS HOLDINGS.

Open Art Tube: Vertical Connectivity and Art Integration

Between the 5th and 8th floors, the central Open Art Tube atrium connects multiple floors and encourages visual interaction and spontaneous communication. This atrium features:

• Internal staircases with glass handrails and prismatic laminated sheets
• The innovative Italian air-purifying installation “Fabbrica dell’Aria®”, which uses plants as biofilters
• A sculptural, artful environment that unifies the office both functionally and aesthetically

The atrium exemplifies art-integrated office design, promoting vertical connectivity while making the workspace itself a living piece of art.

HARAPPA: Flexible Communal Spaces

On the second floor, the office introduces HARAPPA, a multifunctional open area inspired by Japanese fields. To maximize flexibility, 200 “seed benches” (design registered) are embedded in the existing OA floor, allowing the space to be reconfigured for:

• Seated events
• Meetings
• Relaxation areas
• Open collaborative gatherings

This flexible layout adapts to the needs of employees, creating a constantly evolving landscape within the office.

Ground Floor Engagement: Street Interaction and Community

The ground floor features fully foldable doors that open to the street, connecting employees to the city and fresh air. ONCA COFFEE, a café accessible to visitors, fosters a connection between the office and the surrounding community, exemplifying human-centered office design and urban engagement strategies.

Wellness and Innovation Amenities

Additional spaces across the headquarters include:

• A gallery on the 3rd floor, situated near conference rooms, inspiring creativity
• A Finnish sauna on the 9th floor, exclusively for employees to refresh and promote social interaction
• Interactive zones encouraging experimentation with new ways of working

Through these amenities, JINS Holdings emphasizes holistic employee well-being, creative work culture, and experimentation within a time-limited headquarters.

The JINS Holdings Tokyo Head Office exemplifies how temporality, subtractive design, and museum-inspired office planning can redefine modern workspaces. By blending art, wellness, and adaptive design, the project encourages creativity, collaboration, and innovation in a unique Tokyo setting.

All photographs are works of   Takumi Ota