Key considerations included guiding employees from assigned desks to free-address seating, introducing smart storage solutions, maintaining strong communication, ensuring seamless power and network access, and balancing privacy with collaboration. By addressing these thoughtfully, Henkel turned challenges into opportunities for growth and engagement.
Transforming a 20-year-old workspace into a modern hub
After two decades in the same building, Henkel Japan Osaka Head Office seized the chance to transform its workspace into a modern hub. The old office had served well but no longer met the evolving needs of today’s workforce. Henkel launched an ambitious refurbishment to elevate quality, aesthetics, and functionality, creating an environment that fosters innovation, flexibility, and well-being.
Location
Osaka
Project Specs
1005 sqm
Design Firm
Gensler
We wanted to listen to employee requests and design a space that supports productivity, creativity, and well-being.
Tadashi Hayakawa
Designing Workspaces That Put People First
Design was central to Henkel Japan’s transformation, and Haworth played a key role. Ergonomic furniture solutions inspire productivity and creativity. Meeting rooms were redesigned for collaboration and advanced technology, while the community area became a vibrant hub for informal interactions and team bonding. Today, the office stands as a striking showcase of innovation, bringing Henkel’s vision of a modern, flexible, and people-focused environment to life.
A Space That Inspires Every Day
This was more than a visual upgrade; it redefined how people work and connect. Employees embraced a 5S mindset for organisation and efficiency, while greenery introduced calm and well-being. The impact is clear: portable power enables work anywhere without cable clutter; improved acoustics and refined design elevate the environment; and employee feedback confirms the space is beautiful, functional, and inspiring.
Henkel Japan remains committed to continuous improvement, ensuring the workspace evolves with the company’s innovative spirit. Benefits include enhanced functionality, improved storage, elevated aesthetics, stronger brand image, and durability backed by quality assurance for long-term performance and cost efficiency.
