Seeking New Furniture for an Office Relocation

The OPENERS editorial department chose the 11th floor of a central Tokyo building for its new office. The furniture in the reception room, located in a corner space with a great view, didn't quite fit the new office's atmosphere, according to opinions within the department. This prompted the head of the DESIGN category, among others, to begin considering furniture that would suit the new space.

The editorial department, with its discerning tastes, raised various points for consideration. The furniture needed to match the image of the web magazine OPENERS, of course, but also be timeless in design. Rather than conventional colors like black or brown, it should subtly convey individuality. Furthermore, it needed to be flexible enough to adapt to office layout changes and not be a burden during moves.

Could office furniture that met the editorial department's needs actually exist? After visiting interior shops in their free time, they arrived at Vitsœ's "620 Chair Programme" and "621 Side Table." The deciding factor was that all items were modular, allowing for additions and rearrangements.




The "620 Chair Programme," a modular sofa system, was designed by Dieter Rams in 1962. Last year, its specifications and design were completely revised, and it was reborn 50 years after its creation, generating considerable buzz.

Mr. Hasegawa from Vitsœ visited the editorial department to consult on size and color. The chosen configuration was one two-seater sofa and two one-seater sofas, with olive (moss green) covers and white shells. Approximately one month after ordering, the pieces were finally delivered to the new OPENERS office via air freight from London, and assembly began immediately.




Mr. Hasegawa commented on this selection: "As it's mainly for visitors, we opted for a classic, compact, and quintessential set for the office. While there are six color options, the subdued olive fits well with the stylish offices of the media industry. Additionally, since the parts like the seats and arms are only secured with bolts, it's possible to reconfigure a two-seater into a three-seater."

In less than an hour, Mr. Hasegawa skillfully assembled the set single-handedly. When asked for tips on assembly, he replied, "Just tighten the bolts with the included wrench according to the instructions. Attach the seat, then the arms, then the back, and finally the legs – it's very easy to assemble."

The "621 Side Table," designed for the "620 Chair Programme," was also delivered simultaneously. The tables were chosen in off-white, in two heights: 36cm and 45cm. "It's appealing that you can arrange them freely, such as placing tables of different sizes side-by-side, or sliding a smaller one underneath the 620 Chair," said Mr. Hasegawa.

Inheriting the Philosophy of "Long-lasting, Beautiful" in the Office

The editorial staff, eagerly awaiting the new furniture, gathered in the reception room one after another as soon as assembly was complete. The simple design looked beautiful in the space, and it was immediately clear from a distance that the reception room had been transformed.

The "620 Chair Programme" features casters, allowing it to be freely moved for ideal placement, not only for visitors but also for internal meetings.

Comments from the editorial department were highly positive: "It seems like we can place our PCs on the side tables and exchange ideas in a relaxed style," and "The timeless color and design make it interesting to combine with other items."

Enjoying the patina of the leather over time, the OPENERS editorial department will now experience Vitsœ's philosophy: "To live better, have a few things that last."

"620 Chair Programme"
Example Items and Prices (excluding shipping and consumption tax)
Highback Chair, 1-Seater (Swivel Base) | Base Price: ¥445,000
Lowback Chair, 3-Seater (Caster Base) | Base Price: ¥1,000,000
Footstool | Base Price: ¥190,000

"621 Side Table"
Example Items and Prices (excluding shipping and consumption tax)
Pair | Base Price: ¥70,000
Large | Base Price: ¥40,000 (W52.5×D32×H45cm)
Small | Base Price: ¥35,000 (W46.5×D30×H36cm)

Inquiries
Vitsœ
https://www.vitsoe.com/jp
japan@vitsoe.com (Japanese available)

*Vitsœ Tokyo closed on December 14, 2014. From December 15 onwards, Japanese planners at the London headquarters will handle inquiries.