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Furukawa Manufacturing Headquarters and Factory

Schemata Architects

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Silver
Panoramic view from the front road. The same grid runs from the exterior signs to the office and factory buildings. - Takumi Ota
Site in a vast industrial area. It is being recognised as a landmark. - Takumi Ota
Looking down from above the office. The necessary elements of the exterior road surface were unified as graphics. - Takumi Ota
Panoramic view from the front road. The same grid runs from the exterior signs to the office and factory buildings. - Takumi Ota

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Sponsor
Comments
Innovation
Functionality
Creativity
Eco-Social Impact
Total
JURY VOTES
Large Office
7.28
7.72
7.17
7.11
7.32
Paolo Torri
Paolo Torri Exhibition Design Manager at Pedrali
8.5
8.5
8
8
8.25
Ethan Yao
Ethan Yao China Resources Land at Deputy General Manager and Chief Architect of Design Management
6.5
7
6.5
7
6.75
Alexandra Cantacuzene
Alexandra Cantacuzene Director of Interior Design at Al Futtaim Real Estate Group
7
7.5
6.5
7
7
Ina Nikolova
Ina Nikolova Partner & Senior Project Manager at Kinzo Architekten
7.5
8
7
7
7.38
Peter Greenberg
Peter Greenberg Partner at Ester Bruzkus Architekten
A restrained and handsome complex...
8
8.5
8.5
7.5
8.13
Ray Chou
Ray Chou Founder and Creative Director at Vermilion Zhou Design Group
6.5
6.5
6.5
6
6.38
Clemence Pirajean
Clemence Pirajean Cofounder at Pirajean Lees
7.5
8
7
7
7.38
Ali Mohammadioun
Ali Mohammadioun Founder at E plus A Atelier
7
7.5
7
7
7.13
Paul Birkhead
Paul Birkhead Cofounder and Creative Director at Syn Retail
7
8
7.5
7.5
7.5
Client
Furukawa Manufacturing
Floor area
6804 ㎡
Completion
2023
Social Media
Instagram Facebook
Lighting
Planting
Wire mesh furniture
Structural design

A project consolidated dispersed factories and offices of the client, a manufacturer of production systems for car manufacturing and other industries, in one location and planned the flow lines and layout so that the production, design and sales departments could maintain a reasonable distance from each other, while taking care to prevent customers from bumping into mutually. The aim was to create a landmark building that would increase local awareness, attract the interest of young people and help to secure human resources. To achieve this, the building was designed with innovative methods of bringing together diverse elements and the vast site through a combination between graphics and the architectural grid.
While integrating different functions such as the headquarters and factory, the space is intended to be diverse in terms of lighting, etc., and to be open to the local community.

A coherent axis of this architecture is a grid of approximately 1.2 m laid out across the entire site. This grid runs across the office, factory and exterior, bringing a sense of unity and order to the whole, while integrating different functions and areas. The road surfaces and exterior structures are made up of graphical dots along the grid, and this order permeates the building side, from the façade and structure to partition walls, lighting and equipment.

On the other hand, the expression of diversity is mainly carried by the lighting, with the brightness and colour temperature being adjusted according to the function of each floor, creating various places to be within the same grid. One of the important design features of the project is that, especially after dusk, when viewed from the outside, the different colours and shades of light stand out at a glance, creating a unique face that naturally conveys the building's diverse activities to passers-by.

Furthermore, there are no boundaries between the site and the surrounding public, and the site and the building are also connected by the grid, giving a very open impression and creatively contributing to the rebranding of the company. The image of a closed industrial area has been transformed and applications from talented people have increased.

The grid is also effective in terms of functionality: shelves and screens can be freely installed, allowing flexible layout changes in the office space. Outdoor plants can also be moved to accommodate future expansion.

Environmentally, Low-E double-glazed glass and small fans in the perimeter zone has improved thermal insulation and provide both comfort and energy savings. The strong western sun typical of this region is blocked by a double skin of metal panels, with the vertical flow lines and water cores grouped on the west side. Electricity for air-conditioning of the office is provided by solar panels on the roof of the factory.