Since Subaru Italia offices should be moved from Ala (TN) to Milan, Subaru Italia asked D2U to create a working place with a stimulating image for both work activities and staff and client meeting. As always, the preliminary space audit and organization analysis has allowed to meet the needs of customers and users: in short, a concrete Design to Users, how synthesized the designers’ acronym.
One of the most important target in Subaru offices ( 900 sqm for 40 workstations designed by arch.Corrado Caruso, D2U) was to create a cosy and functional space, despite a limited budget, with modular sized meeting and training spaces, according to the operative needs.
The key points of the projects have been: reduction of the closed offices (2), for management team only; increase of internal communication, by creating comfortable and ergonomic open space workplaces, with a good acoustic control of the environment to guarantee people privacy using soundproof screens in the clusters; extreme technological flexibility for the wiring system, in a building that did not have a floating floor; maximization of natural light diffusion by inserting mobile glass walls parallel to the facades; creation of a new sense of corporate membership by the use of corporate colours and the Subaru Logo, maintaining at the same time the lightness and ease typical of the Japanese minimalism; use of recyclables and sustainable materials.
The large break/kitchenette area has been planned between the meeting rooms and the workspace as the central meeting point of the staff.
On the chromatic side the project is based on the contrast between ceilings, structures and walls that are white, light grey and blue.The deep blue used as “accent colour” signals the entrance gates to the two office wings.
The perspective flights of the movement towards the meeting rooms end with full height wall graphics representing the Seven Sisters, the stars of Subaru logo. The logo has been also placed in different dimensions in some areas.
Among suppliers are: Arper (customized furniture), Babini (glass partition walls), Caimi Brevetti (Snowsound sound absorbing panels), Tecno (desk system), Omnitex (curtain).
Text by Gabriele Masi.