MAWD designs a next-gen coworking space for EGG Tokyo

With the third largest GDP in the world, Japan is home to some of the world’s most exciting businesses. Situated in the heart of Tokyo’s business district Marunouchi, EGG is a business community supporting overseas companies looking to expand into Japan, as well as growing local businesses expanding globally – a concept that is one of the first of its kind in the country.

Applying a research-based and experience-centric design philosophy, global design practice MAWD has worked with Mitsubishi Estate to deliver a highly flexible and innovative design solution for EGG, driven by the next generation of tenants. The desire of future tenants to make positive environmental and social impact on the world led MAWD’s focus on five key design drivers – collaboration, community, conscious design, connection and customisation.

The overall design is hospitality-led, sophisticated and relaxed, with warm tones and lighting to generate a feeling of residential home and comfort. Raw materials blend with warmer finishes, with recycled materials have been used with innovation throughout the design. Foresso, a material derived from timber waste, is incorporated into the reception desk, seashell waste materials have been integrated into the kitchen design, and acoustic panelling made from recycled plastic bottles is used in meeting booths.

An increasing need for collaborative spaces informed the reconfiguration of the reception area, including a gathering fire and ‘collaboration zone’, which forms an inviting entry to the office spaces and transforms into an events space for up to 120 people. Open desk and lounge areas reiterate this sense of collaboration alongside an F&B area in which to relax and socialize, whilst dedicated working desks in quiet corners offer opportunities for privacy.

Additional flexible gathering spaces will be used to host a vibrant program of curated events, and differing seating groups are designed to promote social interaction, with furniture in a range of styles that encourages formal and informal social setups. State-of-the-art technology is embedded at every level, allowing tenants to connect with colleagues and clients globally.

Ultimately, MAWD’s design aligns closely with EGG’s commercial ambitions, resulting in a fully customizable office space. Plug and play fit out packages mean that spaces are pre-prepared to a certain specification, allowing tenants to move straight in. Building flexibility into the design means that spaces within the building can be used in different ways by different tenants, and easily adapted for their needs.