MSC CRUISES JAPAN HEADQUARTERS

CONCEPT

CREDITS

YEAR: 2019

SIZE: 300 sqm

LOCATION: Tokyo

CLIENT: MSC Cruises Japan

GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Shukoh 

PROJECT BY: Matteo Belfiore Architecture

Matteo Belfiore - Project leader

Elisa Cecchetti - Architect

TEAM: Matteo Belfiore, Elisa Cecchetti, Tomohiro Fujita, Miwa Takaki, Yuri Fujiwara (artist)

STATUS: Completed

PHOTOS: Lamberto Rubino

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This project draws inspiration from traditional Japanese architecture’s flexibility to create a modern space designed to promote employees’ wellbeing, encourage dialogue, and improve productivity.

The design is centred on five guiding ideas, based on the statement that the quality of work environments favours higher and better productivity: Integration, between the Italian and Japanese cultures. The first being celebrated worldwide for the quality and beauty of its design, the second characterized in architecture by the concept of space Flexibility; Wellness for the employees and the guests; Innovation, taking advantage of the latest cutting-edge technologies; Finally, Customization: adapting spaces and furnishings to specific needs. For each of these guiding ideas, specific design choices were made, together with a selection of furniture mainly made in Italy.

The concept of Activity Based Working (ABW) – people perform various activities in different work settings – has been fully implemented in this project. The same space can be used to host diverse functions and events by using two systems.  The flexibility of the furniture is entrusted to the modularity of tables and chairs and the new modular soft seating system TESS by WO-P Design. Furthermore, to promote communication between employees, the office is furnished with several fixed and portable magnetic boards.

The new office features a significant presence of greenery, with over a hundred varieties of plants.

The Customization of spaces and furnishings is a crucial element in the design of contemporary work environments. 

The Integration between Italian and Japanese culture is indeed the spirit that guides the whole project. In addition to the choices mentioned above of space flexibility and “made in Italy” furniture, the design of the new office included symbolic elements of both cultures: the Japanese patterns inspired by the shodo calligraphy, but also the Italian ones designed by Gio Ponti for the Parco Dei Principi hotel in Sorrento. 

This project is in line with the recent workplace design trends, especially the attention to the worker’s wellbeing and social interaction. Employees wellbeing is nowadays the key to enhance enthusiasm and productivity in the workplace. Intelligent and funny workplace design can boost creativity and reduce absenteeism. A flexible environment stimulates the employees to shape their workplace according to their specific needs and comfort requirements. By doing so, they also become more active and proactive.

MSC operates more than a thousand routes globally and is one of the fastest-growing cruise companies in the world. It has an Italian background and a global vision. The new Tokyo Headquarters project aims to realize a genuinely glocal environment: inspired by the local identities and realized with a modern and universal language.

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