Natural materials and architectural restraint define a project conceived to affirm how architecture can endure through modest interventions. Tokyo-based design studio SYMBOLPLUS has completed the renovation of its offices inside a timber volume in the Japanese capital. “The main source of inspiration was the building itself and the philosophy of its owner, architect Akio Hayashi, who strongly values natural materials and architectural continuity. Rather than introducing a new visual concept, we wanted to listen to what the existing timber structure was already telling us,” says SYMBOLPLUS cofounder and designer Satoshi Nobekawa. “In a time when work environments are becoming increasingly digital and fast-paced, we aimed to create a space that feels calm, grounded, and human. We wanted users to feel relaxed but focused, surrounded by materials that age gracefully and quietly support daily work. The goal was to design an office that encourages reflection, care, and long-term thinking, rather than speed or visual stimulation.”
Spanning more than 800 square feet, the design honors its original bones by applying new elements to mirror its rhythm, proportions, and warmth to harmonize the dialogue between old and new. Red earth plaster is layered by artisans to complement the timber structure alongside shoji partitions crafted from reclaimed Tosa washi paper. Offering both openness and transparency, the panels slide without metal fittings, relying instead on traditional carpentry beneath rotating ceiling panels that reveal lighting only as needed to reduce visual noise—elements both chosen to reflect nostalgic but practical design measures.
