In September 2020, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) began the process of moving to its new headquarters located in Tokyo Portcity Takeshiba, a next-generation smart building complex, and the transition will be complete by January 2021. SoftBank News took a tour of the new office and surroundings to get a first look.
New office located in state-of-the-art smart building
Tokyo Portcity Takeshiba is located in a seaside commercial and residential area that has also been designated a national strategic special zone by the Japanese government. The office tower, complete with stores, restaurants and conference halls, is a large-scale 40-floor structure. The commercial and residential areas combined occupy 200,000m² of floor space.
Integrated technologies manage the building
To keep the office tower clean, comfortable and secure, IoT sensors, cameras, robots and other technologies are fully utilized. For example, SoftBank Robotics’ AI vacuum cleaning robot “Whiz” works to keep various parts of the building clean.
The smart building is also equipped with IoT sensors so merchants can accurately visitor traffic by day and time. Visitors and workers can also monitor congestion levels at the building’s facilities and establishments.
A workplace that enables creativity and productivity
Inside Takeshiba Portcity’s office tower, SoftBank’s office floors were designed by WeWork to strengthen collaboration, boost employee initiative and facilitate innovation.
The meeting rooms in the new headquarters use warm, white downlights to create a relaxed atmosphere.
Roughly 700 paintings and photos grace the office, and they all exude a sense of elevation, excitement and playfulness.
Framed and canvas artworks decorate the meeting room walls
The new headquarters also has individual spaces optimized for web and phone meetings.
The office features a variety of desks and tables, making it possible for employees to choose the setting that best fits the type of work or collaboration they are engaged in.
Sofas in the lounge areas come replete with power plugs
In the lounge areas, coffee, espresso and other types of beverages are on tap, and music plays in the background. The relaxed environment encourages communication and collaboration between visitors and employees.
The lounges function as gathering places. Inner staircases connect three different floors.
SoftBank’s Support Center assists employees if they need help with IT troubleshooting, or are unsure about various work procedures. In addition to in-person support, AI chatbots are also on hand to support employees.
A “Welcome to Takeshiba!” screen greets employees and visitors
In the spirit of SoftBank’s long-standing work slogan, “Smart & Fun,” the new community-style workplace will further empower employees so they can be more creative and innovative.
(Original article posted on October 30, 2020)
by SoftBank News Editors
