Meetings, interviews, interviews... For various reasons, I have visited many offices in my 35 years of editing. Looking back, there are places where I wish I could work in a space like that...and there are places where I wish I could have worked in a space like that...and there are places where I wish I could have worked in a space like that. However, what is deeply etched in my mind that is common to all the offices that left a good impression is the expressions of the people working there, or the words they exchanged... In other words, perhaps I sensed something of the essence of the office or the work from their appearance.

Needless to say, the nature of the company, the nature of the work, and the human relations in the workplace are all reflected in the design of the office. It is a space that embraces the people and is "well planned". As a place of work, functionality and efficiency are of course required in terms of digitalization and flow lines, but it is also possible to feel the tangible and intangible care that makes people feel comfortable as human beings.

The office of an acquaintance I visited in Seattle about 30 years ago was a perfect example. It was a compact space with a beautiful view of Puget Sound, but the elegant furnishings, along with the chic color coordination of the walls and ceiling, made it look like a work of art. I wanted to create an office that the staff would be proud to spend their days in," he smiles.

Recent social conditions have created new forms of business, such as remote work and online conferencing. Ironically, however, it has also become clear that what can only be gained by people actually meeting face to face and sharing space. The office as a stage for this may be playing a more important role than ever before.

Osamu Miura (Freelance Writer and Editor)

After working as editor-in-chief of a monthly magazine, he now runs his own private office. Born in 1960.