SYMBOLPLUS OFFICE—When restraint suddenly feels luxurious

There are places that don’t clamor for attention.
They simply exist. Calm. Confident. And precisely for that reason, they linger.

I remember my first visit to an old timber building in Tokyo. No glamour, no spectacle—just a quiet clarity that instantly tells you: this is where work happens, where ideas are formed, where decisions are made. That exact feeling is what SYMBOLPLUS OFFICE brings back—and translates into the present.

In the heart of Tokyo, the design studio SYMBOLPLUS INC. has reimagined its workspace. Not as a showroom, not as an Instagram backdrop, but as an honest place to work. A bold move in an era where even coffee machines are styled like art objects.

Hybrid work doesn’t need theatrics

The project begins with a surprisingly simple—and therefore radical—question:
How does an office remain relevant when work has long since become hybrid?

SYMBOLPLUS doesn’t answer with technology, glass boxes, or flexible beanbags, but with architecture. More precisely, with respect for what already exists. The office is housed in a timber building by architect Akio Hayashi, a long-standing advocate of natural materials. And this is undoubtedly where the story begins.

The brief was clear: no synthetic materials. No demolition for the sake of the new. Work with what is already there.

An approach that feels almost old-fashioned—and precisely because of that, utterly contemporary.

Architecture that doesn’t compete

Rather than overpowering the building, the design steps back. The existing timber structure remains visible, tangible, and dominant. New elements follow the rhythm, scale, and warmth of the architecture. Old and new do not clash; they converse.

The result is an office that doesn’t impose itself. It accompanies.
A space that allows work to happen without commenting on it.

And this is where the luxury lies: in its effortlessness.

A pause-worthy fact

The total floor area measures just 76.3 square meters.
And yet, the office feels more generous than many new builds three times its size. Architecture, after all, is not a square-meter game.

Material as memory

What makes this project special is its relationship with material. Nothing is decorative here—everything tells a story.

Red earth from Ishikawa

The walls are finished with red earth sourced from Ishikawa, applied by hand in multiple layers. The tone was adjusted again and again until it resonated with the timber. Not harmonized. Resonated. A subtle but decisive difference.

This surface will age. It will change. And that is entirely intentional.
Here, material is allowed to live.

Shoji made from rescued washi

The shoji partitions are crafted from reclaimed Tosa washi that was originally destined for disposal. Too thin for conventional architectural use, it was layered—resulting in a material that is durable, long-lasting, and unexpectedly rich in presence.

These shoji serve multiple purposes:

• flexible spatial division
• visual calm
• functional concealment of storage and equipment

What you don’t see doesn’t disturb. A lesson many offices have forgotten.

Innovation through subtraction

SYMBOLPLUS proves that innovation doesn’t need to be visible.

No metal tracks

The shoji slides without metal fittings were made possible through traditional Japanese joinery techniques. Quiet. Precise. Low-maintenance.

Light only when needed

Rotating ceiling panels reveal lighting sources only when they are actually required. No constant glow. No visual noise.

The result is a space that feels almost meditative—without trying to be.
This is a place for work, not for performance.

An office as a vessel, not a stage

SYMBOLPLUS OFFICE is not conceived as a statement but as a vessel. For ideas. For conversations. For focus.

The project accepts change as an integral part of architecture. Signs of use are not flaws but evidence of life. An approach that aligns perfectly with the ethos of Stylejunkyz: sustainability with style—not as a marketing slogan, but as a lived consequence.

Why this project matters to all of us

At a time when many companies are once again debating mandatory office presence, SYMBOLPLUS offers an alternative: An office you want to return to. Not because you have to—but because it feels right.

SYMBOLPLUS: design with lasting relevance

SYMBOLPLUS INC. consciously works against trends. Instead, the studio focuses on context, material honesty, and longevity. It’s no surprise that the practice has received international recognition, including honors from the Dezeen Awards, FRAME Awards, and INTERIOR DESIGN Best of Year Awards.

But awards are secondary here. What truly matters is the attitude—and you can feel it in every detail of this office.

What you’re wondering

Isn’t this too minimal for a creative studio?
No. Restraint creates space for creativity. Everything that doesn’t distract helps thinking.

Can this approach be applied to European offices?
Absolutely. The key lies not in the materials, but in the mindset: respect what exists, design for use, and avoid excess.

Is sustainable design automatically pricier?
Not necessarily. Reuse and reduction often save costs—especially in the long term.

Why does craftsmanship play such a central role here?
Because real craftsmanship ages instead of deteriorating. And that’s what improves spaces over time.

SYMBOLPLUS OFFICE is not an office you “have to see.”
It’s an office you want to feel.

A place that proves true modernity has nothing to do with novelty—but everything to do with relevance. And yes, I’m convinced that in ten years, this office will look even better than it does today. No one believes that—until they experience it themselves.