SEMBA — Tokyo: a head office rebuilt from its own waste

Concept

Why come to an office now?

In an age when people can work anywhere, SEMBA asked what new value a hub office can offer — and answered with ethical design that is kind to the earth, to people and to society.

Under Circular Renovation, the renewal did more than reuse and recycle. Waste from the former office and used material samples were upcycled into furniture and artworks, and placed around the floor.

01 · Materials

Samples with a second life

A design company collects thousands of material samples, and most are thrown away. Here they are part of the office.

02 · Collaboration area

Link

With the contemporary design studio we+, SEMBA ran a research project on discarded building materials, and made an artwork called Link from original materials. It stands in the collaboration area.

03 · Work corners

Plywood, shelves and colour

Around the floor, open shelving, plywood surfaces and coloured screens divide the space into corners for different kinds of work.