DESIGN /
PRODUCT
February 14, 2018
Office Furniture That Doubles as a Table Tennis Table? The New Collection from i+ | i+
i+ | i+
Office Furniture Needs a Touch of 'i'!
Itōki, a major office furniture manufacturer with a proud 126-year history, has collaborated with Interoffice, founded in 1983 and known for introducing excellent European office furniture to Japan. The result of this partnership is i+ (Eye Plus), a brand offering advanced, sophisticated office furniture. This is the brand we're introducing today.
Text by Kawase takuro
Intuitive Usability and Highly Flexible Design
The production and design are led by Naoki Terada, representative director of Interoffice and an architect. Furthermore, the design philosophy of i+ is deepened by the involvement of textile designer Yoko Ando and lighting designer Izumi Okayasu.
At the third new product launch, the most surprising item was this meeting table that doubles as a ping pong table. As more offices adopt free address systems, allowing employees to use open spaces freely, the focus shifts to simple, versatile large tables. When the workday ends, it can be used for an in-house table tennis tournament with members from other departments. This product perfectly aligns with the current trend towards individual freedom in the workplace, where business casual is increasingly accepted, and adds an element of playfulness.

"By making the products simple and unobtrusive, we've given the same table versatility. By giving one table multiple faces—as a meeting table, cafe table, dining table, or ping pong table—we've designed it to be a flexible product whose use can change by scene and time. The freedom of layout changes also allows for adaptation to changes in use throughout the day. For example, we've considered how to make it a product that flexibly adapts to layouts where the same space can be used for morning meals, daytime work, and evening recreation, accommodating different uses within a single day." (Terada)
The small white dots on the tabletop are not just for visual design; they are actually power outlets and USB ports. Furthermore, the power cords are integrated into the steel pipes of the table legs, embodying ultimate minimalism. In black and white versions, the dots are finished in the same color as the surface for a seamless look. The net in the center functions as a partition during work. It's an attached panel that can be mounted anywhere according to the number of people or usage. This olive green version uses linoleum, a sustainable material.
Meeting Table (Olive)
¥270,000 - ¥470,000 *An additional option fee is required to change two power outlets to USB.
Ping Pong Panel (set of 1) ¥85,000
"For example, the power outlets included in conventional office furniture were often over-specced, making them difficult to clean or prone to malfunction. We aimed to make them smarter and more intuitive to use," says Terada.
Design and Quality to Compete on a Global Level
Meanwhile, the personal desk for business executives also pursues i+'s signature sophisticated design and user-friendliness. The simple structure, combining a sideboard and desk panel in an L-shape, flexibly adapts to the user's needs. Here too, dot-shaped power outlets and hidden cable management eliminate unnecessary elements.

The white version uses melamine decorative panels, the black version uses acrylic decorative panels, and the olive version uses linoleum. The selection of materials tailored to each color pursues a high-quality finish. The frames for black and white are available in both chrome-plated and matching color painted finishes. Combining these with newly added items like coat stands and task lights allows for highly flexible layouts, enabling users to arrange their space to their preference.
Personal Desk
¥605,000 - ¥675,000
Task Light
¥64,000
Coat Stand
¥77,000 - ¥78,000
"For the materials used in i+ (Eye Plus), we didn't limit ourselves to domestic products. For example, we used linoleum for the tabletop from the Netherlands and acrylic resin panels from Italy. By incorporating overseas materials, we aimed for a balance in quality with imported goods," says Terada.
For Japan's Future Office Environment
When thinking of sophisticated, urban office furniture, one might naturally gravitate towards European designer pieces. However, i+ (Eye Plus) challenges this notion. It seamlessly integrates into various living spaces, including offices, schools, and public areas, while supporting new working styles. In addition to offering total coordination, it's also noteworthy that the furniture easily complements existing overseas designer furniture.
While the brand launched with just three items in 2016, its lineup has expanded year by year, with six new items added this time. In 2017, it received its second Good Design Award, with many items selected for the Best 100. Working surrounded by such modern and functional office furniture would surely make every day more enjoyable and comfortable. For business owners or general affairs managers considering office relocation or new openings, why not consider proposing i+ (Eye Plus)?
Inquiries
Interoffice
TEL: 03-5771-7631
iplus-furniture.jp






