INSIGHTS

2019.08.09

R&D DISCUSSION Vol. 12

Designing "social fluctuations"
Research on Plaza Spaces Vol.1 [Part 1]

Shoji Okabe
Evangelist at Snow Peak Business Solutions Co., Ltd., and co-representative of the nonprofit organization "Hama no Toudai"

R&D DISCUSSION TOP

In Japan, it is expected that many vacant spaces will be created as cities become more compact due to the declining population. On the other hand, there are also cases where the utilization of vacant spaces has significantly changed the city. Attention is also being paid to the "use of plaza-like spaces" in the city center, such as roads, parks, and vacant lots. Therefore, we have launched the "Study Group on Plaza-like Spaces" and invited top runners in this field to explore hints on "how to create and use plaza-like spaces in the future." The first guest is Shoji Okabe, who works as an evangelist at Snow Peak Business Solutions, Inc., which proposes work style reforms that incorporate outdoor activities to companies, and is also co-representative of the NPO "Hama no Toudai," which utilizes public spaces and revitalizes the local area in Yokohama.

Q: Let me ask you about the job of evangelist.

A: Snow Peak is now involved in a variety of businesses, including apparel and regional revitalization consulting, but it was originally founded in 1958 as an outdoor equipment manufacturer in Tsubame-Sanjo, Niigata Prefecture, a city famous for its metalwork [Slide 1]. We believe that camping is a very human way of spending time. First, we all pitch our tents together, cook a meal, and go to bed when the sun sets. By the second day of camping, our biological clocks will be closer to nature. So now, Snow Peak's mission is to help modern people "recover their humanity" in an environment different from the highly civilized life in cities. In 2016, we established Snow Peak Business Solutions, a subsidiary in collaboration with an IT company in Aichi Prefecture, and are working with companies that share Snow Peak's mission to help create an environment where office workers can work in a humane way. Recently, it has been introduced to major advertising agencies, real estate companies, furniture manufacturers, and rental offices. We sometimes receive consultations from people who say, "I want to change the way I work, but I don't know how," and we suggest outdoor activities as one solution, or sometimes it starts with a sudden request to set up a tent. However, introducing tents does not necessarily mean that working styles will change. We believe it is important for people to understand the purpose of introducing tents.

We believe that there are three actions to change work styles: 1) change the office, 2) change the place where you work, and 3) change the way you connect. It can be effective to use outdoor equipment in the office without making major changes to the hardware [Slide 2]. Outdoor equipment is already widely used in ABW (Activity Based Working), which is a trend in office design in Europe and the United States, and its features are that it is light, easy to fold, and can create a relaxed atmosphere. You can set up a tent in the office to hold a meeting, move tables and chairs to your favorite place, and take a relaxed posture. You can also improve the environment by combining the power of green plants and music. Some people felt that their meetings were more lively than usual and that they were able to concentrate more on their computer work, and the effect was confirmed by brain wave measurements [Slide 3]. We also propose a "camping office" where people work by setting up a tent [Slide 4] and corporate training at a campsite [Slide 5].

In fact, only 6% of the population in Japan currently engages in car camping. My role as an "evangelist" is to convey the benefits of outdoor activities to the remaining 94% and to popularize the activity. Until now, most people have enjoyed camping as a hobby, but with the rapid evolution of digital technology, it has become possible to take camping outdoors in a variety of fields, including the office, and I believe this is the perfect opportunity to popularize camping.

[Slide 1] Snow Peak headquarters located inside the camp field.
[Slide 2] Using outdoor products in the office.
[Slide 3] Approximately three out of four people who experienced the camping office felt a relaxing effect.
[Slide 4] Work indoors or outdoors in a tent.
[Slide 5] Corporate training at a campsite.
[Slides 1-5: Provided by Snow Peak Business Solutions]
Continued in Part 2

PROFILE

Snow Peak Business Solutions Evangelist

Shoji Okabe

Shoji Okabe

Born in Kobe in 1974, he joined Takenaka Corporation in 1997 after graduating from university. He then based his activities in Yokohama, and in 2011 founded the web system production company Up Terrace. He currently serves as its representative director, while also working as an evangelist at Snow Peak Business Solutions, a consulting company for revitalizing organizations and communities. In 2004, he joined the Yokohama Junior Chamber of Commerce to deepen his involvement in the community, and served as its chairman in 2012. Having strengthened his ties with NPOs, the government, and local companies, he founded the NPO "Hama no Toudai" in 2014. His activities, such as the outdoor office and park caravan, were recognized and the company received the Good Design Award in 2016.

OTHER DISCUSSIONS

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R&D DISCUSSION Vol.55

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R&D DISCUSSION Vol.53

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R&D DISCUSSION Vol.52

Next-generation transportation and future urban planning [Part 2]

Professor Akinori Morimoto, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University; President, City Planning Institute of Japan

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.51

Next-generation transportation and future urban planning [Part 1]

Professor Akinori Morimoto, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University; President, City Planning Institute of Japan

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.50

The world is full of possibilities
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Nobuyuki Ueda Professor Emeritus of Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Director of Neo Museum

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.49

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--Perceive playfully and take action! [Part 2]

Nobuyuki Ueda Professor Emeritus of Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Director of Neo Museum

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.48

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R&D DISCUSSION Vol.47

Light is Life: Humans on the Solar Earth [Part 2]

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R&D DISCUSSION Vol.46

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R&D DISCUSSION Vol45

Building fire-resistant wooden buildings [Part 2]

Noboru Yasui, Architect and Chairman of NPO team Timberize

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.44

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Noboru Yasui, Architect and Chairman of NPO team Timberize

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.43

What is a sign? What is sign design?
What? [Part 2]

Toshiaki Yashima Information Designer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.42

What is a sign? What is sign design?
What? [Part 2]

Toshiaki Yashima Information Designer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.41

What is a sign? What is sign design?
What? [Part 1]

Toshiaki Yashima Information Designer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.40

Data-driven urban development that makes people happy [Part 2]

Taro Hitokoto Director of Neural Pocket Co., Ltd.

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.39

Data-driven urban development that makes people happy [Part 1]

Taro Hitokoto Director of Neural Pocket Co., Ltd.

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.38

Japan's Strategy for Achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2050 [Part 2]

Takuzo Saito Director of the Evaluation and Assessment Department, Housing and Construction Center, Better Living Foundation

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.37

Japan's strategy for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 [Part 1]

Takuzo Saito Director of the Evaluation and Assessment Department, Housing and Construction Center, Better Living Foundation

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.36

The "extra" required for architecture revealed through regional projects [Part 2]

Yasushi Takeuchi Professor, Tohoku Institute of Technology (-2021), President and CEO, Abisei Planning Co., Ltd. (2022-)

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.35

The "extra" required for architecture revealed through regional projects [Part 1]

Yasushi Takeuchi, Professor, Tohoku Institute of Technology (-2021), President and CEO, Abisei Planning Co., Ltd.

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.34

Before-Before Architecture Theory
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Toru Ajisaka, Professor, Kagoshima University

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.33

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Toru Ajisaka, Professor, Kagoshima University

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.32

How to create a "water mass" that attracts adults
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R&D DISCUSSION Vol.31

How to create a "water mass" that attracts adults
Sunshine Aquarium "Oasis in the Sky" [Part 2]

Gen Nakamura Aquarium Producer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.30

How to create a "water mass" that attracts adults
Sunshine Aquarium "Oasis in the Sky" [Part 1]

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R&D DISCUSSION Vol.29

Wellness and Performance Management
How to Live in a New Era Vol.2 [Part 2]

Takayuki Hirai
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R&D DISCUSSION Vol.28

Wellness and Performance Management
How to Live in a New Era vol.2 [Part 1]

Takayuki Hirai
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R&D DISCUSSION Vol.27

A work style that brings about innovation
How to Live in a New Era Vol.1 [Part 2]

Takahiro Sakamoto
Representative of SSIN LLC, Advisor of KOKUYO Co., Ltd.'s Work Style Reform Project

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.26

A work style that brings about innovation
How to Live in a New Era Vol.1 [Part 1]

Takahiro Sakamoto
Representative of SSIN LLC, Advisor of KOKUYO Co., Ltd.'s Work Style Reform Project

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.25

Looking at the future design process through "Renovation" [Part 2]

Masataka Baba Architect

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.24

Looking at the future design process through "Renovation" [Part 2]

Masataka Baba Architect

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.23

Looking at the future design process through "Renovation" [Part 1]

Masataka Baba Architect

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.22

Architecture in Film: Special Effects TV and Comedy Films of the 1960s [Part 2]

Tatsuo Iso IsoArchitectural Journalist

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.21

Architecture in Film: Special Effects TV and Comedy Films of the 1960s [Part 1]

Tatsuo Iso IsoArchitectural Journalist

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.20

Pioneering the future with the power of design
Discovering Young Artists [Part 2]

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R&D DISCUSSION Vol.19

Pioneering the future with the power of design
Discovering Young Artists [Part 2]

Toshiki Kiriyama Director

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.18

Pioneering the future with the power of design
Discovering Young Artists [Part 1]

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R&D DISCUSSION Vol.17

The present and future of theater space
Research on Plaza Spaces Vol.3 [Part 2]

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R&D DISCUSSION Vol.16

The present and future of theater space
Research on Plaza Spaces Vol.3 [Part 1]

Masaji Ito + Kenji Maruyama Theater Workshop Co., Ltd.

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.15

How to create public spaces with 100% occupancy rate
Research on Plaza Spaces Vol.2 [Part 2]

Yuko Yamashita Yamashita, Network creator, Hiroba-nist

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.14

How to create public spaces with 100% occupancy rate
Research on Plaza Spaces Vol.2 [Part 1]

Yuko Yamashita Yamashita, Network creator, Hiroba-nist

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.13

Designing "social fluctuations"
Research on Plaza Spaces Vol.1 [Part 2]

Shoji Okabe
Evangelist at Snow Peak Business Solutions Co., Ltd., and co-representative of the nonprofit organization "Hama no Toudai"

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.12

Designing "social fluctuations"
Research on Plaza Spaces Vol.1 [Part 1]

Shoji Okabe
Evangelist at Snow Peak Business Solutions Co., Ltd., and co-representative of the nonprofit organization "Hama no Toudai"

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.11

A workplace that fosters innovation
Changing the environment changes the way you work [Part 2]

Tetsuo Kobori Architect

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.10

A workplace that fosters innovation
If the environment changes, the way you work will change [Part 2]

Tetsuo Kobori Architect

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.09

A workplace that fosters innovation
Changing the environment changes the way you work [Part 1]

Tetsuo Kobori Architect

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.08

Environmentally friendly architecture and healthy spaces drive the economy
ESG Investment and Wellness Offices [Part 2]

Shinichi Tanabe Professor, Department of Architecture, School of Creative Science and Engineering, Waseda University

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.07

Environmentally friendly architecture and healthy spaces drive the economy
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Shinichi Tanabe Professor, Department of Architecture, School of Creative Science and Engineering, Waseda University

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.06

The centripetal force of a single sketch that depicts a scene from the future [Part 2]

Tetsuo Fukuda Industrial Designer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.05

The centripetal force of a single sketch that depicts a scene from the future [Part 1]

Tetsuo Fukuda Industrial Designer

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.04

Thinking about future redevelopment from postwar "buildings" [Part 2]

Shunsuke Kurakata historian

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.03

Thinking about future redevelopment from postwar "buildings" [Part 1]

Shunsuke Kurakata historian

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.02

Architecture: Perspectives from Industrial Design [Part 2]

Kozo Yamada, Director and Advisor, GK Design Corporation

R&D DISCUSSION Vol.01

Architecture: Perspectives from Industrial Design [Part 1]

Kozo Yamada, Director and Advisor, GK Design Corporation
R&D TOP

Update : 2018.09.21

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