Office and Lounge Design Gets Creative with Piles of Wood Panels

An unconventional concept dreamed up by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma takes Guranavi’s Osaka information center into uncharted design territory. Doubled by a lounge cafe and surrounded on three sides by large window walls, the space uses piled plywood to recreate all the elements of lounge design and awe with this unique concept.

The layered wood panels populate the entire space, from the walls, shelves and tables of the office to the counter and benches of the cafe area. Their irregular angles create a landscape that has an organic, almost accidental vibe, yet mixes the precision of geometry and the flair of an art piece.

Recessed and track lighting cast a soft glow on the pale wood planks, emphasizing the angles and shadows of the wooden boards. While the wood preserves its weight and raw look, the space is modern, elegant and sleek, with a perfectly finished look. 

In the lounge, the uneven wood structure that serves as the counter creates shelves and recesses where food items are placed and showcased. Long benches, large steps and angular wooden projections offer plenty of room to sit and relax, and invite those who come here for a cup of coffee to look for a never-discovered nook or surface where to place their belongings. 

This perfect chemistry between wood and light is even more stunning at night, when this eye-catching landscape gains an almost surreal look, and when the office and lounge design flaunts its beauty through the large windows. 

Via dezeen.com
Designer: Kengo Kuma
All photos: dezeen.com

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