Nippan Group Tokyo Headquarters by KOKUYO: A Library-Inspired Workspace Redefining Office Culture

Reimagining Office Culture Through a Communication Library

The Nippan Group—Japan’s largest wholesale book distributor—collaborated with KOKUYO to renovate its Tokyo headquarters into a workplace that promotes collaboration, curiosity, and communication. At the heart of this transformation is a “communication library”, a curated space housing over 2,000 hand-picked books chosen by employees. Each book features a personal note explaining why it was selected—offering an intimate glimpse into the values, memories, and recommendations of colleagues. This initiative fosters new interactions, inspires creativity, and encourages spontaneous conversations in an office setting.

The Organic Hill: Spatial Dynamics That Spark Interaction

To break away from conventional flat and linear office layouts, KOKUYO introduced an “organic hill” design. This spatial intervention reshapes how people move and connect. Arched ceilings and undulating book-laden pathways mimic an urban landscape viewed from afar. As employees traverse the gently sloped terrain, serendipitous encounters and spontaneous conversations become part of daily office life. Hidden reading nooks and informal meeting points are seamlessly integrated between curved bookshelves, promoting flexibility and comfort in a previously rigid workspace.

Sustainable Materials and Circular Design

In alignment with eco-conscious principles, the renovation incorporates sustainable and recycled materials. Tables are made from compressed paper and recycled magazines, with surface patterns referencing the building’s own architectural facade. The café counter features tabletops embedded with dried leaves collected from the plaza, symbolizing a poetic connection between nature and workspace. Wood, gravel, and green elements throughout the interior emphasize the use of organic textures and natural finishes to evoke warmth and tactility.

Inclusive Design: Accessibility and Universality

Inclusivity is at the core of the design ethos. The office hill includes ramps for wheelchair accessibility, ensuring everyone can enjoy the library and workspace without restriction. Bookshelves are kept intentionally low so that people of all heights and abilities—whether children or adults—can reach them with ease. The space also offers a variety of environments, from cozy private corners to open collaborative zones, allowing individuals to choose how they engage—whether lying down with a book or working upright at a counter.

Multi-Functional Spaces for a Hybrid Future

Beyond the library, the new headquarters includes diverse functional areas to support a hybrid and dynamic work culture. These spaces encourage both internal collaboration and external networking, offering new modes of interaction across company lines. From casual lounges and standing counters to enclosed zones for focused tasks, the design enables employees to flow fluidly between different workstyles and moods.

A Leading Example of Future-Oriented Workplace Design in Japan

KOKUYO’s transformation of the Nippan Group’s Tokyo headquarters serves as a benchmark in Japanese office design, blending architectural storytelling, employee participation, and sustainable strategies. This renovation demonstrates how architecture can support human connection, creative engagement, and holistic well-being—all through the lens of books and spatial fluidity.

All Photographs are works of Fumito Suzuki