Not a Hotel Architects Transforms Tokyo Warehouse into Innovative Office and Headquarters

Not a Hotel, a Japanese company renowned for its distinctive hotel concepts, has repurposed a brutalist warehouse from 1967 in Tokyo, converting it into a dynamic new office space. The transformation, executed by their in-house architecture division, features glass partitions that segment the vast interior and showcases an impressive collection of iconic design pieces, notably a complete demountable house by Jean Prouvé.

Innovative Workspace Design in a Historic Shell

Not a Hotel's architectural team has brilliantly reimagined a 1967 brutalist warehouse, turning it into their new Tokyo office. The conversion skillfully blends the building's industrial heritage with contemporary design needs. Glass partitions, soaring three meters high, effectively delineate various departmental zones within the expansive seven-meter-tall interior. This approach creates distinct functional areas while preserving the warehouse's open, airy feel. The firm deliberately retained and highlighted the original steel framework and raw concrete surfaces, allowing the building's brutalist character to inform the aesthetic of the modern workspace.

The transformation of the former logistics warehouse into a cutting-edge office space demonstrates a thoughtful balance between preservation and innovation. By integrating glass partitions, the architects successfully carved out individual work areas and meeting rooms without sacrificing the inherent grandeur of the high-ceilinged brutalist structure. This design decision not only optimizes the functionality of the office but also pays homage to the building's historical and architectural significance. The deliberate exposure of the steel frame and concrete elements ensures that the industrial charm of the original warehouse remains a central, defining feature of the redesigned interior.

A Fusion of Art, Design, and Corporate Identity

The office serves a dual purpose: it's not just a workspace for Not a Hotel employees but also a vibrant expression of the brand's creative ethos. The design integrates a diverse range of elements, from unusual creations by artist Nigo to timeless design classics, leveraging the generous spatial dimensions of the warehouse. A dedicated area, the Harumi Lounge, boasts a 15-meter-long wooden table set beneath the towering ceiling, complemented by translucent curtains that offer privacy from adjacent workspaces. A highlight is an original demountable house by architect Jean Prouvé, which functions as both a meeting area and an educational tool for the architectural team, emphasizing durability and functional aesthetics. The Nigo Lounge, near the entrance, features walls adorned with 352 USM Haller cabinets displaying design and art pieces, while another room houses the company's material archive in 96 custom Globe-Trotter trunks, searchable via QR codes. These curated displays reflect the founder's passion for vintage furniture and the company's design-centric vision, showcasing inspirations from designers like Virgil Abloh, Prouvé, Perriand, and Jeanneret, and reinforcing Not a Hotel's identity as a hub for design innovation.

This innovative office space transcends traditional corporate environments, evolving into a dynamic showcase for Not a Hotel’s brand and creative influences. The expansive interiors provided an ideal canvas for the architectural team to experiment, incorporating elements like Nigo's unique collection within USM Haller boxes and the iconic Jean Prouvé demountable house, which stands as a tangible representation of design longevity. The Harumi Lounge, with its grand wooden table and versatile translucent curtains, offers a flexible environment for collaboration and focus. The Nigo Lounge, strategically placed near the entrance, creates an immediate immersive experience with its extensive display of art and design objects. Furthermore, the material archive, housed in custom Globe-Trotter trunks, symbolizes the company's commitment to design exploration and innovation, making the headquarters a living testament to the founder's vision and the collective creative spirit of Not a Hotel. This blend of functional workspace with artistic and historical design elements earned the project a shortlist nomination for the 2026 Dezeen Awards in the large workplace interiors category.