Kanemaru Mokko — Fukuyama: a furniture maker untangles its office

Kanemaru Mokko makes wooden furniture in Fukuyama, Hiroshima. Its 83 m² office had grown complicated after years of additions. Kinomoto Shokai redesigned it to be simple and easy to use, with wood throughout and a few urban touches, to show visitors a company that keeps the good old things while taking in the new.

Client Kanemaru Mokko Co., Ltd. (金丸木工株式会社)Location Fukuyama, HiroshimaCompleted September 2023Floor area about 83 m²Design Kinomoto Shokai (Yuya Odawara)

Concept

Simple again

The layout had become complex through years of additions. It was redrawn to be simple. The workspace, where guests are also received, was planned to serve many purposes.

01 · Rooms

Doors that open fully

The president’s room has fittings that open completely, so it can join or separate from the office. A private booth leads straight to the factory for workers, and an archive sits next to the office.

02 · Budget

Design on a small budget

Air conditioning, power capacity and an outdoor stair needed work first, so the design was kept relatively low-cost, using a lot of wood with urban elements here and there.