KEIJI ASHIZAWA DESIGN

“9hours” is a capsule hotel brand that redefines urban hospitality through simplicity and function. Following the relocation of its head office, we were commissioned to design the new workspace.

We previously designed the former 9hours head office in 2018, and have since been involved in several of the brand’s hotel projects. The core concept of “1 hour to refresh, 7 hours to sleep, and 1 hour to prepare” is not only embodied in the hotels themselves, but also extends to the workplace that supports the brand.

The new office marks a renewed chapter of growth after the pandemic. While inheriting the calm and clarity of the previous space, the design responds to new demands for refinement, flexibility, and expansion.

Making use of the bright space with large windows on all four sides, the warehouse and mechanical rooms are consolidated into a central service core. Surrounding this core, workstations and meeting rooms are arranged to maximize openness and outside views. Along the windows, counter seating facing the city and tables for casual meetings under natural light brings a relaxed rhythm to the daily work. The central core also serves to subtly separate staff areas from visitor zones, achieving a clear yet unobtrusive spatial organization.

A continuous oak shelving wall offers both storage and warmth, bringing a quiet order to the workspace. The light-toned oak brings a lively, uplifting atmosphere, while in the meeting rooms, a deeper tone fosters focus and composure. The interplay of light and material adds depth and richness to each space.

Details from the previous office, including custom metal fittings and furniture, have been thoughtfully carried over into the new space, ensuring that the essence of 9hours continues to resonate on a larger scale. Exposed sections of the ceiling reveal the raw structure of the building, balancing texture and sophistication within the same environment.

As both an office and a physical expression of the brand identity, this space offers comfort for those who work there and a quiet sense of 9hours’ spirit to its visitors.