Nendo reimagines Kenzo Tange offices and cafe in Tokyo

Office and cafe in Kenzo Tange's Sogetsu Kaikan building — Design studio Nendo has completed an office and cafe in Kenzo Tange's Sogetsu Kaikan building.

(Image credit: Daici Ano / Takumi Ota)

Nendo has turned interior architecture on its head in Kenzo Tange's Sogetsu Kaikan Tokyo building, where the renowned design studio has reimagined the Aoyama offices and Connel cafe.

Rather than starting from the notion of 'interior functionality', Nendo was influenced and inspired by 'the exterior aesthetics' of the 1977 building. The half-mirrored curtain wall exterior and planar construction of the Sogetsu Kaikan has been cleverly matched with diagonal flooring, L-shaped lines and an overarching minimal aesthetic.

'The result is an interior design that allows one to get a strong sense of the character and form of the building as a whole,' explains the design studio.

The pleasing minimalism of the offices continues into the cafe, located on the second floor. Keeping Tange's original design untouched, it was the floor and furniture that received the Nendo treatment here. 'Stream' flooring has been fitted to smoothly unify the partitioned space, creating a sense of consistency throughout. Glossed black counters and refurbished 'Tulip Chairs' by Eero Saarinen do the same via furniture and fittings.

The cafe itself is chiefly managed by Nendo, inspired by their growing collaborations with a wide variety of people.

'We have named it “Connel”; a play on the Japanese word “koneru”, meaning “to knead” or “to mould”,' they explain. The word 'nendo' itself means clay, a pleasing parallel that they've expanded on to create the logo (by taking the Nendo 'n' and bending it into two 'c's). A playful take on the name and logo can be found in the cups themselves, which have unique, kneaded handles as well. All in all, a beautiful play on words, lines and style.

Nendo's Kenzo Tange offices and cafe interior — Inspired by 'the exterior aesthetics' of the 1977 building, Nendo looked to match the architecture with a visually appealing interior.

Japanese architect Kenzo Tange's Sogetsu Kaikan building, despite being built in 1977, remains relevant and pioneering.

Nendo's Kenzo Tange offices and cafe meeting room — Large windows flood the meeting room and offices with light, making the spare furniture all the more effective.

Nendo's Kenzo Tange offices and cafe Meeting rooms, open-plan offices and smaller break out areas — Meeting rooms, open-plan offices and smaller break out areas are fitted with different materials, making the space division clearer.

A view of the bookcase in the main meeting room.

Nendo's Kenzo Tange offices and cafe views of the adjacent Korekiyo Takahashi memorial park — The Aoyama offices are surrounded by the verdant views of the adjacent Korekiyo Takahashi memorial park.

Nendo designed coffee ephemera — In addition to running Connel cafe, Nendo have also designed all the coffee ephemera.

The Nendo logo takes the Nendo 'n' and bends it into two 'c's

'We have named it “Connel”; a play on the Japanese word “koneru”, meaning “to knead” or “to mould”,' explain the coffee connoisseurs. The word 'nendo' itself means clay, a pleasing parallel that they've played with further to create the logo (taking the Nendo 'n' and bending it into two 'c's). Courtesy of Nendo

(Image credit: TBC)

Nendo's Kenzo Tange offices and cafe interior 'Stream' flooring — 'Stream' flooring has been fitted to smoothly unify the partitioned space, creating a sense of consistency throughout.

Glossed black counters and refurbished 'Tulip Chairs' by Eero Saarinen do the same through furniture and fittings.

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