executive impact

Rethinking office design

6 Comments
By Chris Betros

Why is it more fun to work in some offices than others? Because some companies are smart enough to know that if they offer an attractive working environment, they will not only retain staff, but also boost work efficiency. It is a simple concept, but an important one in office design, and it’s a concept that Tokyo-based Dutch architect Martin van der Linden calls WorkVitamins.

Van der Linden, who is the architect principal of van der Architects Japan KK, a firm he started in 1999, says he would love to tear down 98% of the office buildings in Tokyo. He believes that many companies do not realize the importance of office design. The role of an office today, he says, is to act as a catalyst for a company’s corporate culture and enhance team-building and efficiency.

Van der Linden studied architecture in the Netherlands, UK and Japan. Having lived in Japan since 1990, he is also an author and an expert on work environment change. He has made keynote presentations in Japan, Norway, Singapore and Canada. He has also published numerous articles on workplace redesign. He has lectured at Waseda University, Musashino Art University and Tokyo Institute of Science.

Japan Today editor Chris Betros visits van der Linden at his office-residence in Denenchofu to hear more about the ideal workplace.

When did you first come to Japan?

I first came for two weeks in 1989. I was back in 1992, because I had to do work experience for my university degree. I sent out letters to famous architects, including Kisho Kurokawa, Tadao Ano, Hiroshi Hara. Except for Ando, they all accepted me. It was at the height of the bubble era and they were swamped with work. I went with Hara because he not only gave me work experience, he even paid me. I worked on Kyoto station and Umeda Sky Tower in Osaka.

Did you stay in Japan?

Not then. I got married, went back to the Netherlands and then continued studying in UK. At the end of 1995, it was difficult to get work in UK, so I thought why not come back to Japan. I got a job with American architect Cesar Pelli in Tokyo. From 1996-1998, I was a design consultant at the architectural office of the Ministry of Education. I designed universities and whole complexes. It was a good experience but the salary was too low. So in 1999, I decided to start my own company. Things started to come together straightaway. Nokia was an early client.

How’s business now?

This year has not been bad, but not as good as 2007 and 2006 which were excellent. Last year, we worked for Ernst & Young, which is a repeat client.

What is your methodology?

An office has a huge impact on how people work and whether or not you can attract and keep good employees. Our methodology is called WorkVitamins. It involves creating a strategic vision for the workplace, analyzing the current work environment by means of questionnaires, observation and interviews, reviewing this analysis and implementing a change program.

So first of all, we meet the CEO or president to hear their vision. Then as we do the interviews, we look for gaps between what the CEO’s vision is and what the staff are thinking. Through the design, we can solve some problems. I say some because if the company has bad management, then whatever design you have isn’t going to change much. Design itself cannot do anything. It should be a translation of a company’s corporate culture.

What’s an example of bad management?

Sometimes a client says: “We have 50 people and we need 50 workstations. It doesn’t matter what kind of design it is.” Well, if they don’t care about their staff to the extent of providing them with a better work environment, then we are not the kind of company for them.

In general, what do you think of office design in Japan?

Absolute crap. I’d love to tear down 98% of the buildings in Tokyo. It has to change, otherwise many companies will run into problems. Teleworking is increasing, which means people can work from home, outside or anywhere. More work is being outsourced. You no longer need to go into an office and sit at a desk. This requires a huge mentality change on the part of management.

How do clients come to you?

Mainly by word of mouth, or after I’ve given presentations. Others have seen offices we have designed.

Do clients always know what they want?

Not always. That’s why we have them come out here for a presentation. Our initial meeting where we discuss the vision of the company is very important. I want to know if it is going to be a fun environment or a command-controlled environment.

How many in your team?

Depending on the project, we are 7-9. We have some independents as well.

Do you plan to expand?

Not just yet. Last year, we actually rejected more projects than we received. That’s not a bad policy. Some of those prospective clients will come back to us. That has happened before. We want to maintain a certain level of quality. I don’t see myself as churning out offices.

What are the most important qualities you expect from your team?

Managing the company is what I like the least. People need to be independent and work without me being hands on. They also need to be able to see not only the large vision but also small details.

Are there any buildings in Tokyo that you admire?

Ichibankan and Nibankan in Shinjuku’s Kabukicho are great. They were designed by Minoru Takeyama. The Tokyo Metropolitan Children’s Hall in Shibuya is another one, but not the Children’s Castle, which is horrible. You look at the city and you realize that Tokyo has been created from an economic point of view. The aesthetic point of view has been completely lost. Areas like Roppongi Hills and Shiodome are so boring. I’m writing a book on the subject and it will be out next year.

How do you like to relax when you are not designing?

We have two fusball tables in the kitchen and we recently started a league called Vitafeetleague. I also like music and reading. For more information, visit www.vanderarchitects.com or www.workvitamins.com

© Japan Today

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6 Comments
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Why is it more fun to work in some offices than others?

Because some offices belong to brewery marketing departments while others are occupied by insurance company IT departments?

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About office design: He is completely right. There exist good examples, when some money is spend on good furniture. And there are bad examples when cheap steel crap is put into the office.

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I'd love to work in a nice IT office environment. Unfortunately I work in a cramped and dilapidated cubicle farm with constant noise and interruptions, poor lighting and minimal air-flow.

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I'd mention the fact that I have my own enclosed office, with an actual door for privacy, bigger than some Japanese hotel rooms I've stayed at, and I can even open the window, but that would make it very obvious that I don't work in Japan.

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Martin's office in Denenchofu is quite possibly the coolest office I've seen in Tokyo (and possibly anywhere), and the offices he has done for his clients also look quite stunning. And to electric2004: an office's design depends on a lot more than the quality of the furniture, but it does play a role.

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"Absolute crap."

Now, that's the kind of bold, direct, honest evaluations we need to see more of.

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