RENOVATION AND OPENING OF KOKUYO SHOWROOM IN SHANGHAI, CHINA
Introducing "C³Office," a space where diversity comes together
KOKUYO Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka／CEO: Hidekuni Kuroda) will completely renovate the joint flagship showroom of KOKUYO and Lamex, an office furniture brand developing mainly in China and ASEAN countries, and open it under the name "C³Office" on May 15, 2025.
While this renewal demonstrates the KOKUYO Group's continued focus on the Chinese market after 22 years of business development in the market, it also aims to reconnect people with each other and consumers with society through fusing product and spatial design under the theme of "Connection," creating an exciting future for work and life.
The ground floor of "C³Office" is an integrated space crafted by internationally acclaimed architect Gu Yi*1. The concept of "C³" is rich with meaning. It breaks the boundary between office and commercial space, embodying the philosophy of Connection. Here, "C" symbolizes the relationships between people and spaces as well as the emotional bonds between people, while the "³" draws inspiration from the Chinese philosophy of "three begets all things*2," implying infinite possibilities born from connection. It was also named "C³Office" with the desire to fuse "Coffee," "Creativity," Community," and "Cooperate," which all begin with the letter "C."
All furniture featured in the showroom comes from KOKUYO and Lamex flagship products, including the Lamex Coves sofa series and KOKUYO's Hang Like desk and chair, blurring the boundaries between office and living room furniture and showcasing flexible, comfortable, and beautiful space solutions. In addition to the coffee shop, the showroom also sells pieces commercialized by the KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD, offering a comprehensive lifestyle experience.
*1 Founder and chief designer of the architectural design firm NOT A STUDIO. Focuses on the fusion of the natural environment and local culture with contemporary design in a wide range of fields, including public space, commercial space, cultural and artistic space, and hotels. Representative works: Xiang (Shanghai), You Zai Ji (Shanghai), Books above Clouds (Shanghai/ Chengdu/ Suzhou), and Xi She Tea Bookstore (Shanghai/ Yunnan, Lijiang). He won the JinTeng Award 2023 Design Award "Public Space Design of the Year Award" and was a main judge for the Shanghai Housing Decoration Interior Design Contest 2024.
*2 "Three begets all things" is a phrase derived from the words of Lao Tzu, "The way begets one; one begets two; two begets three; three begets all things" (Tao Te Ching, Chapter 42) based on the ancient Chinese philosophy of Taoism.
１. Overview of "C³Office" KOKUYO Showroom in Shanghai, China
(1) Name: C³Office
(2) Grand opening: May 15, 2025
(3) Opening hours:
Ground floor coffee shop: 08:00～19:00
1st floor furniture showroom: Weekdays 09:00～18:00 (Closed on weekends and public holidays)
(4) Location: Golden Bridge Plaza, No. 7 West Beijing Road, Huangpu, Shanghai, China
(5) Structure: 2 floors above ground level
(6) Total floor area: Approx. 2,000 ㎡
２. Renovation features
(1) Opening of ground floor coffee shop
A coffee shop that will serve as a catalyst for "Connections" has been newly established. The blended beans used in the shop are wholeheartedly roasted by a coffee expert with over ten years of experience. In addition to coffee, a wide variety of decaffeinated drinks are also offered so that more people can find their favorite "cup" at C³Office. All of the drinks are made with seasonal and natural ingredients to preserve the original flavor of the ingredients as much as possible.
Drink examples (From the left: Rice Milk Latte, Wiener Coffee, Aksu Redlove Apple Coffee)
(2) Sale of KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD Winning Works
Works that have won the KOKUYO DESIGN AWARD, established in 2002, and have been commercialized will be for sale.
Visitors can look at the numerous products created through collaboration between the award-winning designers and KOKUYO's product developers, overcoming obstacles in terms of materials, processing technology, quality, and cost, from the idea stage, where it is a highly praised as a work of art, to the product stage.
(3) Panoramic Display of the Seven Key Experiential Elements "7 Experience"
The first floor of C³Office presents a panoramic display of the "7 Experience," the seven key experiential elements of work based on KOKUYO's knowledge and interviews from office consulting and other activities.
The space also presents the results of the fusion of Lamex's intelligent manufacturing technologies and KOKUYO's design philosophy accumulated over many years, and the tables and chairs from the "Any" product series, which has received numerous international awards, can be experienced here.
3. Comments from Takeshi Okui, KOKUYO Co., Ltd. Global Workplace Division Head of Greater China Department
The renovation of the Shanghai showroom is our experiment for the "office of the future." Through spatial design, we want to break down physical boundaries and bring work back to the essence of "human connection." This is not only KOKUYO's design philosophy but also a long-term value investment in the Chinese market.
*The information in this release is current as of the date of the announcement. Please note that it is subject to change without prior notice.
