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Project: Officeware Workstyle Location: Tokyo, Japan Description: Experinece - product - environment Client: Large Japanese Electronics Manufacturer OfficeWare is a new hybrid EXPERIENCE-PRODUCT-ENVIRONMENT. It is a new way for office workers to work in the age of high-speed/bandwidth internet and communications technology. Its main product is the creation of a new work STYLE that is the result of a precise relationship of work TOOLS and work SPACE. The OfficeWare prototype was designed for deployment in a 100m3 building in the Shibaura district of Tokyo. Our conception and design of OfficeWare is as a patented PRODUCT that could be optimally deployed in any number of situations and spatial configurations such as an existing high-rise office building or a retrofit ‘big-box’ store to name two extreme examples. OfficeWare is a new work consciousness or ‘experience’. This experience is one where you are ‘situationally’ aware and therefore aware of your options for communication, and where all of your process information is always available and filling your visual field. The principal premise is that OfficeWare doesn’t reside in any one place, scale, or level, but arises through the synchronization of many levels; both in the technology as well as in the architecture. The final project is an optimized matrix configured for an infinite number of custom PRACTICES to evolve. OfficeWare is also the result of a new form of architectural PRACTICE; one that utilizes research and design intelligence to critically engage the messiness of changing, real world issues. It synthesizes human factors research, technology, architecture, real estate, business models and product branding. The innovative use of architectural FORM is given a highly specific objective; one that is optimistic, highly valued, and PRODUCTIVE. OfficeWare consists of this work STYLE experience, the technological infrastructure of TOOLS, the optimal configuration of SPACE, and the most appropriate and profitable business CLUB model. This 'club' leasing system recognizes that knowledge and networking are more valuable than space or services and therefore that access to the OfficeWare Knowledge Network will command a substantial premium. As the creative directors of our team of specialists, we conceived of an immersive environment that promoted creativity, collaboration, awareness, fluidity and mutability. |