Walk in and you’ll see that an elegant simplicity of sleek lines, glass walls, and an abundance of natural light defines this Japanese company’s aesthetic. Keyence, a front-runner in the factory automation industry, was coming from an office space a few blocks away that was underwhelming and awkward; it didn’t feel like a headquarters, and it didn’t support the company’s growing team or its evolving collaborative structure. It was clear they needed an office that was grand, but subtle, and allowed for the efficiency that is so central to the company’s lean process.
Intended to be a product showcase for recruitment and retention, branding became a vital objective of the project. Security was also a crucial consideration for the space, as Keyence’s testing and manufacturing process is highly confidential. Pairing this need with the desire for a minimalist grandeur, HED designed a staircase between floors, reinforcing the space’s privacy, and adding the final majestic touch on a space now refined and systematic.