Project Name: Hakuhodo Kettle Office

Location:Tokyo, Japan

Design Team: OpenA

Construction: Design Art Center

Total Floor Area: 512.45㎡ (renovated area), 2,850.39㎡ (entire building)

Design Period: October 2022 – March 2023

Construction Period: April 2023 – August 2023

Completion: August 2023

Photography: Tomomasa Kusunose

Feature：

Project - In a bold reimagining of workspace design, architecture firm OpenA has transformed a former traditional Japanese restaurant (ryotei) in Tokyo's Akasaka district into a revolutionary office space for advertising agency Hakuhodo Kettle. The project, led by Masanori Baba and Kazutaka Ohashi, stands as a powerful statement against conventional corporate hierarchies while addressing the evolving nature of post-pandemic work culture.

Nestled in a quiet alley away from Akasaka's bustling streets, the two-story renovation deliberately subverts the secretive nature of its former life as a ryotei – traditionally a space for private business dealings behind closed doors. The architects have ingeniously "punctured" the building's enclosed structure, creating an open, flowing environment that symbolically dismantles old power structures through architectural humor.

The project's centerpiece is a striking circular table positioned in a round, deconstructed entrance space beyond the traditional noren curtains. This circular motif, a shape that inherently rejects hierarchy, has been a cornerstone of the company's philosophy since its inception. The design serves as a physical manifestation of their commitment to flat organizational structure and free-flowing creative exchange.

What sets this project apart is its radical departure from the typical glass-and-steel office tower. Instead of retreating into the sky, the workspace deliberately engages with street level, inviting spontaneous interactions and challenging the boundary between public and private space. The renovation maintains the building's historical elements while introducing contemporary interventions, creating a dynamic tension between preservation and innovation.

The 512.45-square-meter renovation, completed in August 2023, represents a new paradigm for post-pandemic workplace design – one that prioritizes human connection and creative collaboration over traditional corporate formality. Through this thoughtful transformation, OpenA has created more than just an office; they've designed a spatial manifesto for the future of work.

Design Team - Founded in 2003 by visionary architect Masataka Baba, Open A Ltd. has established itself as a leading architectural design firm that transcends traditional boundaries of architectural practice. Based in Tokyo's historic Nihonbashi district, with additional offices in Osaka and Sumida, the firm has evolved into a multidisciplinary powerhouse that combines architectural excellence with social innovation.

Under the leadership of President Masataka Baba, Creative Director Kazutaka Ohashi, and Director Seiji Hashimoto, Open A has cultivated a distinctive approach to architectural design that emphasizes adaptive reuse, urban regeneration, and cultural placemaking. The firm's portfolio encompasses a diverse range of projects, from urban-scale developments to innovative temporary structures, exemplified in recent notable works such as "Slit Park YURAKUCHO" (2022) and "iti SETOUCHI" (2022).

The practice's expertise spans architectural design and supervision, interior architecture, urban planning, and real estate development, with a particular focus on creating socially responsive environments. Their pioneering projects include "Tokyo R Real Estate" and "INN THE PARK," demonstrating their commitment to reimagining public spaces and urban functionality.

Operating as a registered first-class architectural firm (Tokyo Governor Registration No. 53091), Open A has assembled a talented team of over 30 professionals, including architects, urban planners, and creative specialists, all dedicated to pushing the boundaries of architectural possibility while addressing contemporary social challenges.