Toshin PostPandemic Office

Matsumoto's spatial composition operates as an extended meditation on threshold symbolism, where the vertical glass panels function as contemporary interpretations of the traditional screen or veil that marks passage between states of being, between public presentation and private contemplation, between collective endeavor and individual thought. The warm amber glow emanating from the wooden slatted screens carries rich associations with hearth and home, evoking ancestral memories of firelight and the protective enclosure of domestic sanctuary, now translated into professional context as psychological warmth within the potentially alienating expanse of open-plan work environments. The triadic color structure establishes a symbolic dialogue between the warmth of wood suggesting organic life and natural material, the transparency of glass representing clarity, honesty, and open communication, and the neutrality of white and gray suggesting rationality, professionalism, and ordered thought. The vertical orientation of the glass panels may be understood as aspirational symbolism, reaching upward toward growth and achievement, while their transparency speaks to values of openness and accountability increasingly prized in contemporary organizational culture. The floating white horizontal platforms create a counterpoint of stability and grounding, their cantilevered extension suggesting confidence and forward momentum balanced by secure foundation. Geometric relationships within the composition establish rhythmic intervals that echo musical structure, inviting interpretation through the lens of harmonic proportion and the philosophical tradition connecting visual and auditory beauty. The reflective surfaces create a doubling motif that traditionally symbolizes contemplation and self-knowledge, the mirrored floor and glass panels inviting consideration of how professional spaces might serve as sites for both external productivity and internal reflection, suggesting work environments need not sacrifice soul for efficiency.

For its first created office since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the challenge Matsuo Gakuin was facing is to find a solution for protecting its office users while keeping the aesthetic values the company has always cherished. A thunder shaped table runs along the office dividing the space into staff and guest areas. Glass panels were sandwiched between the board and its duplicate hanging from the ceiling. The glass panels run alternatively through two parallel lines separated by 20cm space. This disposition forms a protective shield while allowing air and documents circulation.