CBRE Adapts Japan Headquarters to "New Normal"

CBRE (Japan Headquarters: Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) has made changes to its Japan headquarters to create a safe, comfortable, and productive work environment in this "new normal" era. With more employees working remotely, new technologies have been implemented in the conference rooms to facilitate online communication and meetings. Furthermore, the in-house RISE^* Café has been redesigned to foster collaboration and networking, both internally and externally with visitors once the café can be reopened to guests.

^{* RISE stands for CBRE's core values: Respect, Integrity, Service and Excellence.}

 

MAIN CHANGES/UPGRADES TO THE MARUNOUCHI OFFICE

A high-spec working environment where employees can work safely and comfortably

• Installation of workstation protection screens – Screens have a graffiti design applied to them, functioning as an extension to the dynamic art on the office walls.
• Additional seats in the general office area to give employees a wider selection and ensure social distancing
• Additional semi-private focus seats
• New ‘collaboration area'
  

Technologies that support online communication and collaboration

• Two new spaces fit for online meetings, webinars, and video recording
  • One ‘formal' and one ‘casual'
  • New audio and visual equipment suitable for quality video streaming and recording
• Upgraded online meeting equipment in meeting rooms

Redesigned RISE Café as an open space that fosters collaboration

• Lounge-like ambiance
• Improved and monitored air conditioning system (ventilation, thermal comfort, air cleanliness)

 

Chinatsu Kaneko, Head of CBRE Workplace Strategy (WPS), commented, "People's work styles have changed significantly due to the pandemic. In the future, there is no doubt that companies will have to embrace more flexible work styles. CBRE's future work style concept is "borderless work" – a seamless environment unconstrained by physical location, with no borders between real and virtual, or work and life. In a borderless work environment, people can freely choose where to work out of the following: office, remote (satellite coworking), home, and trip (business trip).

The CBRE headquarters upgrade is based on this concept and is the first step in CBRE's plan to create a workplace where employees can work comfortably knowing that their health and safety is looked after and that there are tools available to improve efficiency. As the pandemic continues, many companies are still searching for new ways to support their employees' workstyles, and we hope that our initiative will serve as a hint for how to work in this ‘new normal' era."

 

Photo/image 1: Installation of workstation protection screens.

 

Photo 2: New focus seats -Window-facing seats surrounded with sound insulation panels provide a semi-private feel for improved concentration.

 

Photo 3: New collaboration area designed for casual internal meetings, brainstorming sessions, etc.

 

Photo 4: Webinar/video shooting space - The formal webinar room is designed to host online meetings, seminars and trainings. The casual webinar room has a back wall with sound absorbing panels in CBRE colors.

 

Photo 5: Webinar and video-filming equipment –The video switcher allows smooth transitions between multiple feeds (camera, presentation slides, etc.) and professional mics ensure the best sound quality. The ring light casts an even light onto the subject, improving the overall appearance of the video.

 

Photo 6: New RISE Café - Redesigned as a "place for collaboration" where employees can relax and get together in a lounge-like environment. Upgradd air conditioning system now allows for visualization and monitoring of the air quality.

 

 

For inquiries about CBRE's Workplace Strategy contact:
Chinatsu Kaneko, Workplace Strategy Senior Director, CBRE K.K.
[email protected]

CBRE Workplace Strategy
With deep expertise in Workplace Strategy, Experience Consulting, Change Management and Occupancy Management, we help our clients identify opportunities to reduce and/or reallocate their costs, more effectively manage their resources, improve employee engagement, and make decisions faster.

 

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