"SASAU," a Tool to Support Remote Work / Modular Partitions
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Working in my usual living room, just like always
The spread of the novel coronavirus in 2020 triggered a rapid adoption of remote work across society. As workers were forced to work from home, various challenges associated with remote work came to light. To address these challenges, NAD—a firm specializing in activity design—launched the “SASAU” series, a line of tools designed to “support” the diverse activities of families, and created partitions that gently divide spaces.
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Many workers face challenges such as finding it hard to concentrate in the living room shared with family, being unable to have a dedicated workspace like a study in Japan’s cramped living environments, and lacking the space to accommodate large pieces of furniture—such as a work desk—as remote work becomes a long-term reality. Rather than buying new furniture, adding a few simple accessories transforms what was once a dining area into a workspace. It can also be used as a dining table immediately, allowing you to balance your personal life and work. Inspired by this idea and guided by the concept of “more than stationery, less than furniture,” we devised the “kaku / maru / shikaku” modular partitions.
More than stationery, but less than furniture
The base units—kaku and maru—come in clamp-type and stand-type versions. The clamp-type units can be securely fastened, making them safe for use even in living rooms with children. Additionally, solid beech wood is used to ensure the system fits seamlessly into any home. The “shikaku” panels come in seven variations, including acrylic, colored corrugated cardboard, and recycled clothing materials. By combining your preferred base with these panels, you can create a workspace that perfectly complements your space.
"kaku" is a cube-shaped partition stand with clean, sharp edges. When two stands are joined together, they form a cube; even when not being used as a partition, they are designed to serve as decorative objects when paired with clamps. They enhance the ambiance of any space—not just homes, but also offices and retail stores—creating a sophisticated atmosphere.
maru is a partition stand with a sleek form that blends seamlessly into your daily life. Its warm, wood-like texture gives it a soft, inviting presence that makes you want to keep touching it, and its design ensures it will be a cherished item for years to come, much like a carefully selected piece of stationery.
Endless Combinations
"Kaku / Maru / Shikaku" is a partition system that allows you to combine individual components.
You can create various configurations to suit your lifestyle, work style, and the space where you’ll be using it.
Simply select the number of clamps and stands you need, and combine them with your preferred panels (shikaku).
You can create various configurations to suit your lifestyle, work style, and the space where you’ll be using it.
Simply select the number of clamps and stands you need, and combine them with your preferred panels (shikaku).
The Design Process Under a State of Emergency
The SASAU series—kaku, maru, and shikaku—was created in response to the state of emergency declared in April 2020 due to the coronavirus.
Since NAD members had already been teleworking even before the spread of the coronavirus, we were accustomed to working remotely. However, when NAD was also forced to work from home, the challenges of using one’s home as a workplace became apparent.
We conducted activity research on remote work not only through our own experiences and online news but also via social media, and we interviewed relevant stakeholders and acquaintances. As a result, we identified the following challenges associated with working from home:
・Physical separation from daily life is necessary to concentrate, but it’s not possible to set up a dedicated study.
・Even if I try to set up a work environment at home, office furniture is too large for Japan’s cramped living spaces.
・Even if I wanted to buy new furniture, it might make living conditions worse, and I cannot get my family’s understanding.
・As a result, people are forced to work in the living room or dining room, where they share space with their families.
In light of these challenges, NAD has decided to rethink the activities that will take place in homes going forward.
Not only has remote work become commonplace in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the possibility of another pandemic cannot be ruled out. Homes will need to accommodate a wider variety of activities in the future. To create a better work environment at home without compromising our current quality of life, we believe it is important not to completely overhaul our lifestyle or environment, but rather to overlay a “work” layer onto our existing way of life.
・Adaptability that can be added to existing furniture
・Sizes and materials that make you want to use them at home
・Lightweight and easy to store, so it can be moved anywhere
・Shared usability for both adults and children
・A design that doesn’t look like a work tool and blends naturally into daily life
・Versatility that allows for continued use even after the COVID-19 pandemic
Based on these perspectives and guided by the concept of “more than stationery, yet less than furniture,” we devised the “kaku / maru / shikaku” modular partition system.
For product development, we partnered with Nippon Copack (hereinafter “COPACK”), Japan’s leading company in commercial hangers.
Since NAD members had already been teleworking even before the spread of the coronavirus, we were accustomed to working remotely. However, when NAD was also forced to work from home, the challenges of using one’s home as a workplace became apparent.
We conducted activity research on remote work not only through our own experiences and online news but also via social media, and we interviewed relevant stakeholders and acquaintances. As a result, we identified the following challenges associated with working from home:
・Physical separation from daily life is necessary to concentrate, but it’s not possible to set up a dedicated study.
・Even if I try to set up a work environment at home, office furniture is too large for Japan’s cramped living spaces.
・Even if I wanted to buy new furniture, it might make living conditions worse, and I cannot get my family’s understanding.
・As a result, people are forced to work in the living room or dining room, where they share space with their families.
In light of these challenges, NAD has decided to rethink the activities that will take place in homes going forward.
Not only has remote work become commonplace in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the possibility of another pandemic cannot be ruled out. Homes will need to accommodate a wider variety of activities in the future. To create a better work environment at home without compromising our current quality of life, we believe it is important not to completely overhaul our lifestyle or environment, but rather to overlay a “work” layer onto our existing way of life.
・Adaptability that can be added to existing furniture
・Sizes and materials that make you want to use them at home
・Lightweight and easy to store, so it can be moved anywhere
・Shared usability for both adults and children
・A design that doesn’t look like a work tool and blends naturally into daily life
・Versatility that allows for continued use even after the COVID-19 pandemic
Based on these perspectives and guided by the concept of “more than stationery, yet less than furniture,” we devised the “kaku / maru / shikaku” modular partition system.
For product development, we partnered with Nippon Copack (hereinafter “COPACK”), Japan’s leading company in commercial hangers.
As a company with the top market share in the apparel display fixtures industry, COPACK is undertaking various initiatives to create new business opportunities, such as actively collaborating with artists and expanding its B2C operations.
We had long shared a mutual appreciation for each other’s design capabilities, technical expertise, and philosophies, and had been deepening our relationship with COPACK. Then, prompted by the state of emergency declaration, we decided to collaborate on developing products that enrich people’s lives.
We had long shared a mutual appreciation for each other’s design capabilities, technical expertise, and philosophies, and had been deepening our relationship with COPACK. Then, prompted by the state of emergency declaration, we decided to collaborate on developing products that enrich people’s lives.
Uses Beyond Just Housing
Although kaku, maru, and shikaku were designed for home use, we are exploring options—such as offering shikaku in custom sizes—with the goal of expanding their use to offices, retail stores, and other settings.
今後、パーティションにとどまらず新たな生活様式をささえる新たなツールの開発を目指します。
【購入先】
kaku / maru / shikakuはCOPACKが運営する下記のサイトにて2021年1月15日より販売を開始しました。
CPK GALLERY ONLINE https://galleryshop.copack.co.jp/collections/product/
【日本コパック株式会社】
私たちの主力商品であるハンガーは、洋服を引立てる為に存在します。ハンガー同様、私たちの仕事は、商品自体が主張するよりも、対象とする人・商品・サービスを引立てます。お客様の求めている事がCOPACK にはある。そんな会社を創造していきます。
Website：https://www.copack.co.jp
【購入先】
kaku / maru / shikakuはCOPACKが運営する下記のサイトにて2021年1月15日より販売を開始しました。
CPK GALLERY ONLINE https://galleryshop.copack.co.jp/collections/product/
【日本コパック株式会社】
私たちの主力商品であるハンガーは、洋服を引立てる為に存在します。ハンガー同様、私たちの仕事は、商品自体が主張するよりも、対象とする人・商品・サービスを引立てます。お客様の求めている事がCOPACK にはある。そんな会社を創造していきます。
Website：https://www.copack.co.jp
Project Team: Takeyuki Katsuya, Atsuyoshi Iijima, Takaaki Ueda, Yasutoshi Koizumi, Yuya Miyazaki
Design: NAD, Nippon Copack Co., Ltd.
Manufacturing and Sales: Nippon Copack Co., Ltd.
Graphic Design: Keisuke Goto
Photo: Yoshihiro Abe
Reprinted from the Nikken Activity Lab (NAD) website
Design: NAD, Nippon Copack Co., Ltd.
Manufacturing and Sales: Nippon Copack Co., Ltd.
Graphic Design: Keisuke Goto
Photo: Yoshihiro Abe
Reprinted from the Nikken Activity Lab (NAD) website