Post-Occupancy Evaluation of New Office Tower in Nagoya, Japan The Significance of Environmental Behavior Studies

JR Central Towers, designed jointly by Sakakura Associates, Japan, and Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, U.S.A., and situated in the heart of Nagoya City above the JRTokai Nagoya Station, was fully opened in May 2000. The development consists of a hotel, a department store, and office space. The research team focused on non-territorial officing in one of the tenant layouts in the office tower. The workspace that was analyzed is that of a branch office of the large furniture manufacturer, Kokuyo. Findings on workplace performance in this office where then compared against that of another example in the same building. This paper analyzes characteristics of the specific workplace environmental placemaking methodology by focusing on the relationship between functional diversity and innovative staffing typologies. Results of the study illustrate aspects of spatial appropriation and utilization, cross-functional awareness, and workplace collaboration and participation.