MAWD’s co-founders reflect on EGG, a next-generation coworking space in Tokyo, Japan.
3 min read
In 2001, Elliot March and James White were both late to the same class. While they stood outside waiting to be let in, they struck up a friendship that’s lasted 20 years, including the founding of their eponymous firm MAWD in 2010. Like the best of partnerships, they both challenge and support each other, resulting in a collaborative, creative tension that produces exceptional results on behalf of their clients.
Located in the Shin-Marunouchi Building, a famous high-rise owned by real estate developer Mitsubishi Estate, EGG is a 360° innovation centre that combines office and social spaces, serving as a working hub for the entire Marunouchi area. EGG features commercial offices alongside the M Cube, an innovation community run by Mitsubishi Estate, which is a renewal of the Tokyo 21c Club – a community designed to support business development for start-ups. MAWD were the project’s interior architecture and FF&E designers.
MAWD’s approach always looks towards anticipating what is next. For EGG, we chose to focus on the businesses and people who will work there in the coming years, configuring our spatial design to support the individual’s capacity to build and strengthen connections. EGG is a brilliant example of MAWD’s office and hospitality design credentials and we look forward to seeing how tenants interact with and enjoy the space.
Firstly, the project’s location is in Tokyo, which is a long way from the MAWD offices in London and Los Angeles. Fortunately, we have both travelled to Japan over the years and connected with the city.
From a design perspective, the client wanted a truly flexible approach, and the expansion of EGG was driven first and foremost by an increased need for collaborative spaces. Our reconfiguration of the reception area includes a gathering fire and ‘collaboration zone’, forming an inviting entry to the interior office spaces. The collaboration zone acts as a flexible place to meet, hold meetings and presentations, while also maintaining the capacity to transform into a practical event space for up to 120 people. Open desk and lounge areas reiterate this sense of collaboration alongside an F&B area, where individuals can relax a socialise. Lastly, dedicated working desks, quiet corners, and a plethora of private meeting rooms offer opportunities for privacy and deep focus.
Throughout this project, our team worked to firstly reduce the carbon footprint of the project through recycled and upcycled materials, and secondly work closely with local teams in Japan to source materials locally whenever possible.
Despite designing the concept in Europe, we sourced locally wherever possible and used recycled materials to promote innovations in the design. Foresso, a material derived from timber waste, is incorporated into the reception desk, while seashell waste materials have been integrated into the kitchen design. Acoustic paneling made from recycled plastic bottles is used in meeting booths. By creating stories around these materials that are better for the planet, MAWD hopes to encourage the innovation of more sustainable and locally made materials.
As collaboration was a key design pillar, we created flexible gathering spaces to host a vibrant program of curated events to foster a sense of community throughout the space. Differing seating groups are designed to promote social interaction, with furniture in a range of styles that encourages formal and informal social setups. State-of-the-art technology is embedded at every level, allowing tenants to connect with colleagues and clients globally. Tech enabled focus booths, meeting booths and rooms in a number of different sizes and configurations provide the flexibility to suit the needs of the modern-day tenant.
Our work with EGG has helped inspire the workspaces in our residential developments, and at the same time, our work in residential and hospitality helped to inspire the interiors of EGG. We drew inspiration from our hospitality work to create a sophisticated and relaxed space with warm tones and lighting to generate a feeling of residential home and comfort. Differing textures and warm finishes work to provide authenticity and comfort, while raw and elemental materials echonature, such as planted greenery and gathering fires.
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