kengo kuma's 'kagu house' is the first of several satellite coworking spaces to be built in japan

KuMo satellite offices by Kengo Kuma

World-renowned architect Kengo Kuma introduces the Kuma Mobile Offices, or KuMo Offices, a selection of experimental co-working spaces being installed throughout Japan. The wooden satellite workspaces are constructed of local wood and earthquake-resistant walls, providing a warm and safe environment that closely connects employees with the local community and surrounding nature. The first edition of these mobile offices is the ‘KAGU House’ in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, which is available not only to Kengo Kuma employees but also to others on a membership basis.

the first edition of Kuma’s mobile office is the ‘KAGU house’ in Asahikawa, Hokkaido

all images courtesy of Kuma Mobile Office

Kagu house in Higashikawa, Hokkaido

Kengo Kuma & Associates has already designed a wooden satellite office in Higashikawa, one of Hokkaido’s hottest cities. The concept for this co-working space follows the character of the town, known for its world-class wood furniture production, with factories scattered across the grassy landscape. The Japanese architecture firm collaborated with these factories to create the workspace which is built as a cluster of three wooden units with sloping roofs. Each building can accommodate up to 12 people and has a kitchen, restrooms, a living area, and a meeting room. In addition, the complex is connected to the adjacent municipal library and acts as a part of the existing city street.

The design team was very careful to use only wood from Hokkaido for the entire project, from the exterior walls to the interior elements. Inside, a piece of furniture was designed to serve as both a shelf and a desk, integrated into the architecture of the building itself. In this way, the environment acquires a seamless, continuous character, imbued with the warmth of native wood. The project represents a new experiment that focuses on local materiality and erases the boundaries between architecture and furniture.

KuMO offices will be interconnected, allowing people to work and move between KuMO offices freely, becoming a platform for a new nomadic work style. ‘We would like to work with everyone at KuMO, and contribute to local communities all over Japan.’  the team at Kengo Kuma & Associates share. 

the offices are constructed with local wood

each building can accommodate up to 12 people

a piece of furniture was designed to serve as both a shelf and a desk, integrated into the architecture of the building

project info: 

name: Kuma Mobile (KuMo) Offices 
architects: Kengo Kuma & Associates
location: Japan