Silver Interior Space and Exhibition Design · 2024
Orico Training Center Corporate Office
- A' Design Award 2024 Silver Winner in Interior Space and Exhibition Design
- Awarded April 15, 2024
- CLIENT: Orient Corporation
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 25,182
- Verification code 185A71E962 · Verify this award
About Orico Training Center Corporate Office
Orico Training Center is a major consumer credit company with more than 110 million cardholders. The plan is to renovate and adapt their own training center to modern values and programs, which has deteriorated after its construction more than 30 years ago. To make the CI of Orico's felt throughout the space, the design is based on a VI using Credit Card as a motif. The eight training rooms are each designed with a theme based on the different types of credit cards issued by Orico, such as Gold, Platinum, and Black Card to embody the unique worldview of each credit card.
Within the tradition of contemporary corporate and educational interior design, Nobuaki Miyashita's Orico Training Center Corporate Office exemplifies the sophisticated integration of functional planning with atmospheric consideration that characterizes the most accomplished institutional spaces. The design appears to engage thoughtfully with the phenomenology of movement through space, employing the corridor as a transitional threshold that prepares occupants psychologically for the focused activities awaiting within individual training rooms. The chromatic strategy demonstrates particular refinement, utilizing the vibrant chartreuse floor surface to inject vitality and forward momentum into what might otherwise register as austere institutional neutrality, while the warm gray panels maintain professional dignity without coldness. One might observe the careful attention to acoustic considerations suggested by the textural quality of vertical surfaces, indicating awareness that training environments require both visual calm and auditory comfort. The generous radius corners applied to panel edges invite interpretation as a humanizing gesture within the rational grid, softening geometric severity through organic intervention that echoes broader movements in contemporary design toward biomorphic integration. The wayfinding system, executed in restrained typography, provides essential navigational information while avoiding visual clutter, demonstrating the principle that clarity serves both function and aesthetic. The terminal darkness at the corridor's end creates a contemplative pause, a visual rest that allows the eye to appreciate the luminous qualities of the passage itself rather than focusing solely on destination. This work invites consideration of how architectural spaces shape our experience of transition, preparation, and professional identity formation within corporate learning environments.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- To ensure that trainees can fully experience Orico's identity throughout the space, the design of guest rooms and common areas incorporates partitions that replicate the precisely defined shape of a credit card (including the corner radius and thickness), creating a multi-layered separation. The signage for room numbers and floor information employs the credit card-specific international standard font (Farrington 7B) for its design.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Site area: 1,143.85 m2
Building area: 758.56 m2
Total floor area: 2,397.59 m2
Number of floors: Basement 1 floor, Ground 4 floors
B1 floor: 126.64 m2
1st floor: 382.21 m2
2nd floor: 434.84 m2
3rd floor: 306.59 m2
4td floor: 306.59 m2
Height: Maximum height 17.75 m
Structure: RC - Tags
- Credit card,Accommodation,Training center,Interior design,Japan
- Production Technology
- The card partition walls are designed to detach from the ceiling and floor, creating a cantilevered structure that makes them appear to float lightly, expressing a dynamism as if countless cards are freely sliding and moving within the space. The ceiling gap also serves to comply with building codes for natural smoke extraction. Lighting uses a 50φ glare-less type to reduce its presence, making the card surfaces vividly stand out.
- Design Challenge
- We feared that creating complete individual spaces for each of the eight people in a single room would cut off communication. Inspired by the traditional Japanese architectural techniques of Fusuma and Shoji which allow for the presence to be felt while blocking the line of sight in a large room, a partition motif based on credit cards was devised to achieve this.
- Project Duration
- This project was completed in March 2021.
The planned location is situated in a tranquil residential area in Tokyo, adjacent to lush green parks and university campuses. - Operation Flow
- Orico's training is planned in a shared room for eight, using card-type partitions in private areas to ensure privacy. In response to COVID-19, Orico has adapted the design to allow the center's use as both a satellite and touch-down office. This included enlarging individual desk spaces, incorporating task lighting, and selecting chairs with casters designed for extended periods of desk work, enhancing both functionality and comfort.
- Research
- Research Objective: To innovate the spatial image at low cost while utilizing existing RC structures and facilities such as air conditioning systems. Result: A space filled with identity was completed by reflecting Orico's VI in the design. Impact: It was renovated as a training facility with high employee satisfaction.
- Inspiration
- Credit cards are typically categorized into ranks such as normal, gold, and platinum, and there are also numerous cards specialized for hobbies like travel and dining. We drew inspiration from the unique worlds each of these individual cards connects to, each differing from the next. We attempted a design that expresses the different worldviews, or infinite universes, that just one card can unfold.
- Image Credits
- Image #1-#5: Photographer Nobuaki Miyashita, Variations, 2021
- Patents
- none
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G0E3 ShopDesign Interview about Orico Training Center Corporate Office
My design was primarily driven by the need to modernize an outdated facility while infusing it with Orico’s strong corporate identity. I drew inspiration from the concept of flexibility and privacy, aiming to revitalize the space to foster both collaborative and private work environments.
My main focus was to create a multifunctional space that caters to modern training methods and informal interactions, enhancing the overall learning experience and employee satisfaction. I aimed to achieve a design that is both functional and symbolic of Orico's values.
I plan to monitor the effectiveness of the current design and make iterative improvements to ensure it continues to meet the needs of Orico’s evolving training programs and corporate strategies.
It took me about a year and a half to fully develop and refine the concept for the Orico Training Center.
This particular concept was commissioned by Orient Corporation to address specific challenges in their existing facility, which no longer aligned with their operational and cultural needs.
The design is currently being implemented by Orico in their training center. There are no plans to sell or lease the production rights, as it was custom-tailored for Orico’s specific needs.
I was motivated by the challenge of transforming an existing structure into a vibrant, modern space that aligns with the client’s identity and functional requirements.
While my design is original, I was inspired by current trends in corporate architecture and interior design that emphasize flexible workspaces and technology integration.
The direct beneficiaries of this design are the employees and trainees of Orico who use the facility for various training and development programs.
What sets this design apart is the incorporation of customized elements, like the credit card-themed rooms and the strategic use of Orico’s brand colors, creating a unique and memorable space.
The name ‘Orico Training Center’ directly reflects its purpose and affiliation, emphasizing its role as a central facility for training within the Orico corporation.
I used a range of design tools including CAD software for architectural design, 3D modeling tools for visualization, and project management software to oversee the execution.
The integration of capsule bed units designed as both sleeping and office pods, tailored to reflect the various credit card themes issued by Orico, stands out as the most unique feature.
I collaborated with a team of interior designers, IT infrastructure specialists, construction professionals, signage designers, and lighting designers to ensure the design was both feasible and innovative. The involvement of signage designers helped integrate Orico's branding seamlessly throughout the facility, while lighting designers played a crucial role in creating ambient and functional lighting that complements the architectural features and enhances the usability of each space. This interdisciplinary approach was key to achieving a holistic and effective design.
Technology is integral to my design, facilitating flexible and dynamic training environments through state-of-the-art IT solutions.
The design was heavily influenced by data from employee feedback and space utilization studies, which helped tailor the space to actual user needs and preferences.
Some of the main challenges included integrating modern technology into an older building and designing versatile spaces that could adapt to both current and future training needs.
I decided to submit this design to an international design competition to showcase how architectural innovation can effectively embody and enhance corporate identity and functionality.
Through this project, I learned the importance of deeply understanding client needs and the impact of a well-thought-out design on user engagement and satisfaction.
Additionally, this project exemplifies how thoughtful design can contribute to a company’s ethos and employee morale, which are critical components of corporate success in the modern era.
Grand Interview about Orico Training Center Corporate Office
The concept of using credit card motifs for the Orico Training Center Corporate Office emerged from a desire to create an environment that reflects Orico’s core identity in an engaging, visually impactful way. Credit cards are fascinating objects—they offer a gateway to various lifestyles and privileges, from travel rewards to exclusive experiences. We wanted to capture this by giving each training room a unique personality aligned with the card’s traits, like Gold or Platinum, allowing users to feel like they’re stepping into a distinct world. The spatial design evolved through meticulous detailing, from shaping partitions that echo the precise radius and thickness of actual cards to incorporating materials that would enhance each room’s thematic resonance. This approach emphasizes Orico’s identity while creating an engaging and dynamic training environment.
In the partition design for Orico Training Center, I incorporated traditional Japanese architectural techniques such as Fusuma and Shoji. These elements add cultural richness and are designed to respect the concept of privacy without completely closing off spaces, which is essential for a corporate setting. The partitions are crafted to offer separation yet allow a sense of connectivity, reflecting Japanese design principles of balance and subtlety. Adapting these techniques required precise calibration to meet the functional requirements of a modern office while enhancing the overall aesthetics. By fusing traditional techniques with contemporary needs, we created a workspace that honors cultural heritage while catering to the fast-paced demands of a corporate training facility.
Each of the eight training rooms in the Orico Training Center embodies the unique qualities of different credit card types, such as Gold, Platinum, and Black cards, through distinct design elements. For instance, the Gold Card room emphasizes luxury with warm lighting and elegant materials, creating an inviting yet upscale atmosphere. The Black Card room, by contrast, exudes sophistication with a minimalist aesthetic and darker tones, projecting a sense of exclusivity. These elements allow each room to capture the essence of the card it represents while maintaining harmony across the spaces. This thematic approach provides a unique experience for trainees, reinforcing Orico’s brand and fostering an environment that is both functional and immersive.
The floating cantilevered partition walls at the Orico Training Center posed a fascinating technical challenge. We aimed for a design that would give the partitions a light, floating appearance, embodying a dynamic spatial flow reminiscent of moving credit cards. Achieving this effect required a cantilevered structure that meets building codes while providing stability. To maintain safety and stability, the partitions were structurally reinforced yet subtly detached from the ceiling and floor, creating an open space compliant with smoke extraction regulations. This allowed the partitions to appear weightless while still functioning within a strict regulatory framework, enhancing the room’s visual depth and modern aesthetic.
The Orico Training Center’s design needed to serve as both a training facility and a satellite office, especially in response to COVID-19, which influenced our approach to space planning and furniture selection. We expanded individual desk spaces and included task lighting to accommodate the needs of remote work, transforming each workstation into a flexible, comfortable environment. The furniture, including caster-equipped chairs, was selected to provide ergonomic support for extended work hours. This adaptability supports Orico’s dynamic workplace strategy, allowing the center to function as both a collaborative training area and a flexible office space, meeting evolving corporate needs.
Using the Farrington 7B font, a credit card-specific international standard font, in the signage for Orico Training Center was a deliberate choice to reinforce corporate identity subtly. This font, typically used for card numbers, establishes a direct connection to the credit card theme in the space. Other subtle elements include the precise replication of card corner radii and the multi-layered partitions that mimic the thickness of a card. These details are not only visually engaging but also embody the Orico brand, making each room a distinct yet cohesive part of the training center’s overall aesthetic, enhancing the brand experience in an understated yet impactful way.
Renovating the 30-year-old Orico facility into a modern training center presented unique challenges, particularly given the existing RC (reinforced concrete) structure and facility layout. Our approach was to work within these constraints while introducing contemporary design elements that would transform the space. We retained the original structural integrity but redesigned interior spaces with light, modern partitions and updated the furniture to improve functionality. By maximizing existing elements and incorporating cost-effective updates, we created a fresh, inviting environment that serves as a symbol of Orico’s forward-thinking approach, blending old and new seamlessly.
The Silver A’ Design Award for Orico Training Center Corporate Office is a testament to our efforts in creating an innovative corporate interior that goes beyond conventional training spaces. I envision this project as a model for future workplace design trends that emphasize branding, functionality, and flexibility. The integration of brand-specific design details within a multifunctional space demonstrates how training centers can become immersive brand experiences. I believe this project could inspire a new approach to corporate interiors where identity, purpose, and user experience are woven together, setting a precedent for thoughtful, brand-driven design.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the Orico Training Center’s design was replicating credit card dimensions, including the exact corner radius and thickness, for partitions. This required extensive research to ensure precise measurements that match the real credit cards, providing a sense of authenticity. We collaborated with structural engineers to create partitions that retain their visual lightness while maintaining durability and compliance. By capturing these details, we emphasized Orico’s brand identity in a manner that is both subtle and impactful, allowing users to experience the corporate culture through design elements that are familiar yet transformed.
The Orico Training Center is located in a serene residential area, surrounded by parks and university campuses. This tranquil setting influenced the interior design significantly, encouraging us to create a harmonious environment that respects the surrounding landscape. We used materials and colors that evoke a calm, natural feel, helping the center integrate seamlessly with its peaceful surroundings. This approach aligns with Orico’s vision of providing a refreshing and inspiring workspace for trainees, fostering focus and creativity while maintaining a connection to the tranquil environment outside.