Location: Kyobashi, Osaka City, Japan.

Architect: KTX archiLAB.

Learning Bright is an educational office space designed to inspire students and emphasize the role of space in their perspective. Matsuo Gakuin preparatory school in Osaka City, Japan, needed new office space for its reception and meeting rooms. The design enhances the sensitivity of students by offering them a bright and sharp space that suggests a bright and professional future waiting for them. The space was inspired by contemporary minimalistic and professional office spaces where companies showcase the best of their organizational spirits. The bright space with the golden touch offers a perspective of already being part of a productive society.

The entrance door leads to a large white hall and faces the reception counter. The floor leading to the reception counter is finished in grey carpet tiles. To solve the problem of the very low space available below the ceiling in such an open space, reflective aluminum panels were placed on the ceiling leading from the entrance to the reception counter in duplication of the grey carpet tiles and visually extending the space by doubling its height. Counseling tables are placed on the right of the entrance and furnished in blue velvet chairs. To the left, a glazed meeting and conference room connected visually to the entire reception space, offering the same spirit of managerial meetings.

Learning Bright explores the transition between educative and professional worlds and introduces brightness and sharpness as an optimistic promise of a successful professional life. The space was designed to enhance the sensitivity of students by offering them a glimpse of how they should interact with the professional world and a window to their prospective lives. The walls were finished in white with a selection of surfaces on the walls and the reception counter finished in golden decorative sheets. The design offers students a perspective of already being part of a productive society and encourages them to succeed in their studies.

Photo credit: Stirling Elmendorf.