MGY Base Office

MGY Base Office

MGY Base Office is an innovative architectural project located in Tokyo, Japan, that reimagines the traditional workplace environment through a distinctive design approach that emphasizes community and collaboration. Completed in 2018, this 124-square-meter office space serves as the headquarters for an apparel brand, embodying the concept of a secret base where people naturally gravitate to gather and work. The design responds directly to contemporary workplace challenges highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the essential role of face-to-face communication in professional environments. The structure features a striking 6-meter-high main floor with an expansive glass facade that creates a seamless connection between interior and exterior spaces, fostering a semi-outdoor atmosphere. The industrial aesthetic is carefully curated through the strategic use of wire mesh in the loft area, industrial-style lighting fixtures, and scaffold-based elements, all of which contribute to the secret base concept while maintaining professional functionality. Designed by Eitaro Satake, the project exemplifies a thoughtful balance between playful creativity and practical workplace requirements, incorporating three key design principles: creating an attractive environment for clients and business associates, ensuring staff comfort and productivity, and establishing a unique, playful atmosphere that reflects the brand's personality. The reinforced concrete construction spans a building area of 73.70 square meters within a total site area of 124.94 square meters, maximizing spatial efficiency while maintaining an open, collaborative environment. The project's innovative approach to workplace design earned it a Bronze A' Design Award in the Architecture, Building and Structure Design category in 2021, recognizing its contribution to advancing workplace design concepts and its successful integration of aesthetic and functional elements.

workplace design, architectural innovation, collaborative space, industrial aesthetic, contemporary office, brand headquarters

— Adam Dawson