"PYNT" and "TOILET," co-creation platforms located on the 3rd floor of the Nikken Sekkei Tokyo Building, have won the 2024 Good Design Award.
AWARDS
2024.10.16
“PYNT” and “TOILET,” co-creation spaces designed on the 3rd floor of the Nikken Sekkei Tokyo Building, have received the 2024 Good Design Award, presented by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion, a public interest incorporated association.
Building on this award, we will work to promote co-creation activities that contribute to solving social and environmental challenges and to advance the operation of PYNT as an open platform. We will also further advance DE&I (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) through design in the fields of architecture and urban development.
The award-winning works will be displayed on panels at the “GOOD DESIGN EXHIBITION 2024 – 2024 Good Design Award Winners Exhibition,” which will be held at the venues listed below during the dates indicated.
We sincerely look forward to welcoming you there.
Building on this award, we will work to promote co-creation activities that contribute to solving social and environmental challenges and to advance the operation of PYNT as an open platform. We will also further advance DE&I (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) through design in the fields of architecture and urban development.
The award-winning works will be displayed on panels at the “GOOD DESIGN EXHIBITION 2024 – 2024 Good Design Award Winners Exhibition,” which will be held at the venues listed below during the dates indicated.
We sincerely look forward to welcoming you there.
GOOD DESIGN EXHIBITION 2024 — Exhibition of the 2024 Good Design Award Winners —
Dates: November 1 (Fri) – November 5 (Tue)
Venue: Various locations at Tokyo Midtown
Venue: Various locations at Tokyo Midtown
Name: Co-creation Platform "PYNT"
Entry Category: Initiatives and Activities for the General Public — Awareness-Raising, Management, and Initiatives for Industry
Overview
As part of the large-scale renovation of the Nikken Sekkei Tokyo Building, PYNT transformed the building’s third floor into a space for external co-creation activities and experimental initiatives aimed at reforming employee work styles. Recycled materials from discarded clothing, as well as domestically sourced cedar and ash wood, were used for the interior finishes, fixtures, and furniture. The co-creation space covers approximately 1,000 square meters. Targeting individuals both inside and outside the company who are interested in co-creation activities aimed at solving social and environmental challenges, PYNT hosts seminars and workshops while promoting the planning and implementation of pilot projects.
Comments from the Good Design Award Judges
As the way architecture firms work has changed dramatically in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the question now is how to consider the value of physical spaces and create environments where people can actively participate. The irregular office layouts and furniture made from a mix of materials convey a sense of how the interior and exterior naturally connect. Furthermore, looking at the number of events and participants, it is clear that the firm has reached out widely to the outside world even within the short span of one year. We look forward to future activities that leverage the firm’s expertise, such as XR-related experiential content and practical initiatives in the circular economy.
Entry Category: Initiatives and Activities for the General Public — Awareness-Raising, Management, and Initiatives for Industry
Overview
As part of the large-scale renovation of the Nikken Sekkei Tokyo Building, PYNT transformed the building’s third floor into a space for external co-creation activities and experimental initiatives aimed at reforming employee work styles. Recycled materials from discarded clothing, as well as domestically sourced cedar and ash wood, were used for the interior finishes, fixtures, and furniture. The co-creation space covers approximately 1,000 square meters. Targeting individuals both inside and outside the company who are interested in co-creation activities aimed at solving social and environmental challenges, PYNT hosts seminars and workshops while promoting the planning and implementation of pilot projects.
Comments from the Good Design Award Judges
As the way architecture firms work has changed dramatically in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the question now is how to consider the value of physical spaces and create environments where people can actively participate. The irregular office layouts and furniture made from a mix of materials convey a sense of how the interior and exterior naturally connect. Furthermore, looking at the number of events and participants, it is clear that the firm has reached out widely to the outside world even within the short span of one year. We look forward to future activities that leverage the firm’s expertise, such as XR-related experiential content and practical initiatives in the circular economy.
Name: TOILET
Entry Category: Architecture (Industrial/Commercial Facilities) — Interior Design for Office and Industrial Spaces
Overview
“TOILET” is a new concept for restrooms that redefines the space not by “who uses it”—such as men, women, or wheelchair users—but by “how it is used,” based on activities like taking a breather, waking up, or touching up makeup. Based on interviews about “how” restrooms are used, we identified three themes (Relax, Refresh, Styling). Using a space with white mosaic tiles as the base, we created the atmosphere for each theme by varying the grout color, fixture arrangements, and lighting color temperature. We ensured privacy and comfort through a circulation-based layout that minimizes encounters between users, digital signage displaying occupancy status, and carefully planned sound and scent elements.
Comments from the Good Design Award Judges
This project made me realize that I had assumed gender was an inseparable issue when thinking about restrooms. Here, the focus is not on “who uses them” but on “how they are used,” and all restrooms are designed as private stalls. First, looking at the interior design of the individual stalls, everything—from the details and use of materials to the lighting, sound, and scent—is delicately controlled to provide an exceptionally luxurious restroom experience. The hallway leading to the restrooms is arranged like a gallery; in a good way, it doesn’t feel like a typical restroom area, so there’s no awkwardness when passing others. A soft light indicator subtly signals whether a stall is occupied. While it would be difficult to implement this design in every restroom due to space constraints, I commend this project for demonstrating a new approach to restroom design.
Entry Category: Architecture (Industrial/Commercial Facilities) — Interior Design for Office and Industrial Spaces
Overview
“TOILET” is a new concept for restrooms that redefines the space not by “who uses it”—such as men, women, or wheelchair users—but by “how it is used,” based on activities like taking a breather, waking up, or touching up makeup. Based on interviews about “how” restrooms are used, we identified three themes (Relax, Refresh, Styling). Using a space with white mosaic tiles as the base, we created the atmosphere for each theme by varying the grout color, fixture arrangements, and lighting color temperature. We ensured privacy and comfort through a circulation-based layout that minimizes encounters between users, digital signage displaying occupancy status, and carefully planned sound and scent elements.
Comments from the Good Design Award Judges
This project made me realize that I had assumed gender was an inseparable issue when thinking about restrooms. Here, the focus is not on “who uses them” but on “how they are used,” and all restrooms are designed as private stalls. First, looking at the interior design of the individual stalls, everything—from the details and use of materials to the lighting, sound, and scent—is delicately controlled to provide an exceptionally luxurious restroom experience. The hallway leading to the restrooms is arranged like a gallery; in a good way, it doesn’t feel like a typical restroom area, so there’s no awkwardness when passing others. A soft light indicator subtly signals whether a stall is occupied. While it would be difficult to implement this design in every restroom due to space constraints, I commend this project for demonstrating a new approach to restroom design.
What Is the Good Design Award?
This is Japan’s leading initiative for evaluating and promoting design, carrying on the tradition of the Good Design Award program established in 1957. Held annually as a global design award involving numerous companies and organizations from Japan and abroad, it aims to improve the quality of life and utilize design to address social issues and challenges.
The “G Mark,” the symbol of this award, is widely recognized and cherished as a symbol of excellent design.
The “G Mark,” the symbol of this award, is widely recognized and cherished as a symbol of excellent design.
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