If you’re unfamiliar with the story, global athletic brand Nike actually got its start in Japan when founder Phil Knight first visited the country in 1962. As described in his incredibly entertaining autobiography, Knight was so impressed by Onitsuka Tiger sneakers that he began importing them in a deal that shaped the future of Nike and footwear itself. So it seems only fitting that 55 years later, and right before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Nike gets a brand new Tokyo office and showroom that brings together all the different groups of the company.
Completed late last year, Nike’s new Tokyo office and showroom encompasses a sprawling 6400 sq meters (roughly 69,000 sq ft) divided between 2 floors of Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi. “The corporation’s functions, such as offices, showroom, etc., were consolidated under the same roof,” explains Torafu Architects. “Deliverables included branded offices designed in collaboration with the company’s U.S. headquarters design team to implement an overhaul of their employees’ working methods.”
And through out every turn and corner of the office are branded workspaces and original artwork. For example, the “Station 7” café is named after Mt. Fuji’s 7th station where Phil Knight climbed to on his first trip to Japan. In the upper level entrance sits a 9-ft tall commissioned sculpture by Brooklyn-based Tomokazu Matsuyama (our Studio Visit with him is here) and in one meeting room is a large mural by Ryohei Yamashita painted in a fluid, calligraphic style that captures the movement of soccer players.
It looks like an awesome place to work! You can read more about the project on the architect’s website.
