Kengo Kuma & Associates, the eponymous architecture firm of Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, has conceived an angular composition of staggered volumes. The complex known as the Kibi Kogen N Square comprises a creative facility, coworking space and a cafe. Located in Kibichuo, a town in the centre of the Okayama Prefecture, the project intends to harbour spaces where the cross-pollination of ideas occur seamlessly sans barriers. The development of the regional exchange and creative facility was initiated by Systems Nakashima, a Japanese computer system development company. “[The building] represents the spirit of the facility's theme of openness and collaboration within the local community, including the participation of local Okayama University in the co-working space. Through these spaces, a crossover of activities that transcend generations and industry-academia boundaries are to be expected,” reads the official release.

The building is perched carefully on a gentle slope; minimal landscaping in its surroundings brings the structure and its distinctive form to the forefront. The facade design reveals a lucid dialogue between glass and wood: the former facilitates an easy penetration of natural light into the interiors while the latter affirms a sense of earthiness in the architecture. Furthermore, the transparency of the building shell invites a connection with the outdoors and builds a sense of openness in the design.

The Japanese firm employs cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels—of which Okayama is the largest producer in Japan—in the structure and interiors of the project. Waterproof plywood for the outer walls and structural plywood with roofing sheets in the roof complete a durable and weather-proof external shell for Kibi Kogen N Square. A dynamic architectural language is achieved by stacking the panels at various angles across the site, with a height difference of approximately four metres. Through what the architects call an “angular misalignment of the panels”, a variety of spaces and openings unfold in the skeleton. The open spaces, asymmetrical cantilevers and intersecting lines defy the closed and repetitive impression often associated with conventional CLT structures.

Upon entering the building using the doors protruding on either side of the wood architecture, one encounters an elongated space framed by a series of wooden beams on top and walls on the side. The ground floor of Kibi Kogen N Square encompasses the cafe towards the front and a kitchen and equipment storage at the back. The planning is largely open, with structural segregations coming into play only where necessary; in this case, in the office, a private room adjacent to the cafe and the washrooms. The cafe offers a peaceful gathering place for visitors to relax and connect with their community in a relatively slow-paced environment.

On the second floor, the open area is dedicated to co-working alongside an office area for the service workers. The spacious coworking area is defined by a floor-to-ceiling glazing overlooking the street and establishing a link with the surrounding trees and environment. The angular chassis of the building augments the possibilities of planning, introducing more room for private areas such as the small call spaces flanking the central workspace. Additional functional spaces such as a storage, a pantry and washrooms complete the settings.

The ethos that ties together Kengo Kuma & Associates’ extensive oeuvre is evident in Kibi Kogen N Square as well. As in, the firm’s other projects, the use of natural materials in contemporary spaces, the pursuit of the connection between architecture and nature and the purpose of serving the community delineates the cafe design and coworking facility. Yet, despite the shared foundation, the mixed use architecture seeks to proclaim its identity and expression. Its staggered silhouette transforms with changing light, and the moving shadows alter its visage through the day. The soft lighting in the interiors complements this mutation while also maintaining a relaxing work environment. Skylights awash the interiors with natural light while the open floor plans allow for versatility and adaptability with respect to changing needs. In Kibi Kogen N Square, Kengo Kuma & Associates envision an ideal space for communication and creativity to thrive, and for a collaborative spirit to breed.