Airbnb's new Tokyo headquarters prove that the travel brand's famed 'belong anywhere' ethos extends to its employees as well as 60 million worldwide users.
On the back of lacklustre staff feedback forms, the drab Shinjuku corporate base was razed to the ground and reimagined. Neighbourhood, community and urban tranquility were the three interlinking concepts behind the new space, designed in collaboration with local interior architects Suppose Office Design to reflect Japanese culture.
A double-height, foliage-filled atrium leads to a generous communal kitchen and workspace, where bespoke finishing touches come courtesy of local manufacturers – New Light Pottery for the lighting design and contractor Setup for the adjustable height wooden office tables.
Masterminding the design from Airbnb's side was the in-house Environments Team, who are self-confessed 'culture-keepers', project manager Rebecca Ruggles explains. 'We carry certain standards through every Airbnb office, so when you walk in, you know where you are even without a logo on the door, but we also partner with the local employees to ensure that the design has a true sense of place.'
Airbnb staff committed more than just ideas and suggestions to the project. In the colourful Tijuana room, decorations were donated by the mother of one of the local employees, Saori Okura, whose travels through Mexico resulted in the impressive collection of artefacts that now line the sunshine yellow walls. In fact, the boardrooms read like pages in a travel guide – each one is inspired by a different listing that Airbnb has on the books, so staff can travel the world as they dash between meetings. All in a day's work.
A light-filled, double-height atrium welcomes staff and guests, leading through to the communal kitchen and working spaces
Nature and urban tranquility feature heavily in the new design, helping to create a peaceful working space where employees can escape the chaotic environment of the bustling district
One of the design challenges was working with a fixed low ceiling height, typical of architecture in Tokyo, and monotonous ceiling tiles. Employees expressed a key need to adapt the ceiling to make the space feel bigger and brighter. Now, windows and dropped lighting give the illusion of a larger space
At the top of the office is the engawa, an elevated platform covered with tatami mats, where employees can remove their shoes and take a seat, enjoying spectacular views of Shinjuku while they work
Private phone booths and meeting rooms are inspired by traditional Japanese tea houses, made from local white oak and rice paper film with large, sliding doors leading to quaint courtyards
In the colourful Tijuana room, the décor was donated by the mother of one of the local employees, Saori Okura, whose travels through Mexico resulted in the impressive collection of artefacts that now line the walls
INFORMATION
Photography: Periphery. Courtesy Airbnb
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