Nara Prefecture Main Government Building

Japan
Office & Industry
Offices

A well-being office has been established in the main prefectural government building of Nara, Japan’s ancient capital

As part of work-style reforms, in 2022, Nara Prefecture began implementing well-being initiatives in government buildings with the aim of improving the office environment. In order to achieve smoother communication across organizations and generate free and flexible thinking among employees—areas where there have been issues— the office space on the first floor, where routine administrative work is carried out, and the multipurpose open space on the first basement floor were renovated.
The new office incorporating the well-being concept has been welcomed enthusiastically not just by employees but also by interns hoping to work in the government building, with comments such as, “The government office has a new image” and “I want to work in a space like this!” Moving forward, Nara Prefecture is planning to renovate all government buildings based on the well-being concept.

First floor office

In order to break away from the rigid government office atmosphere, the stark, impersonal lighting was completely revamped.

For the first-floor office space, a louvered ceiling utilizing wood produced in Nara Prefecture was installed in order to transform the office’s conventional image. The traditional office layout—desks arranged in neat rows, evenly bright lighting, closed-off spaces with dividers between departments— was reviewed and revamped. Office work duties were scrutinized, even going so far as to consider how the emotional state of staff changes at different times of the day: in the early morning, around noon, and in the late afternoon. By reviewing all aspects of the office furniture, interior, and lightning, a new office model was constructed.

The use of MERIHARI LIGHTING has created an office environment that achieves a balance between relaxation and concentration

In the first-floor office a hot-desking system was introduced, providing multiple spaces to enable employees to carry out their work in the most suitable environment for each task depending on the work duty. For the lighting design, MERIHARI LIGHTING was introduced. By adjusting the light intensity across different areas, it provides targeted illumination only where needed. Centering brightness on desktops was intended to produce a sense of immersion, creating a space where it is easy for staff to concentrate and realizing the well-being concept. At the same time, lowering the level of brightness around the desks has also helped to reduce power consumption.

What is MERIHARI LIGHTING?

This is an office lighting method that achieves a balance between energy saving and comfort by only illuminating those areas that require lighting using only the amount of illumination required.

MERIHARI LIGHTING index: MERIHARI VALUE

The sense of luminance contrast can be expressed quantitatively using the MERIHARI VALUE index.

*1: Average illuminance of work surfaces when work lighting has been added to general lighting.
*2: Average illuminance of the entire area when there is no work lighting (only general lighting)

Creating distinct environments through the use of contrast lighting (MERIHARI VALUES)

By adjusting the MERIHARI VALUES within a particular space according to the purpose of its use, the lighting environment can be adapted to best suit each scenario, enabling versatile, multipurpose use.

During the day, the refreshing lighting creates a pleasant and comfortable space that enhances productivity.

When staff come together for meetings or briefings, the lighting creates an environment that encourages active and lively discussion.

When a calm and relaxing atmosphere is desired, the lighting can be dimmed to create a more tranquil space.

During periods when individuals need to concentrate as they carry out their work, focused and immersive lighting is used to create an environment conducive to concentration.

For the base lighting, dimmable C-Slim S architectural lighting fixtures were installed under the ceiling louvers, securing the 750 lx lighting intensity required when the entire office is illuminated.

Adjustable beam angle spotlights, TOLSO BeAm Free, were installed to align with the position of each desk, with the beam angles set in accordance with the size of the desks.

Conference Room
Consideration has been given so that when the projector is used, the area around the screen is dimmed, while spotlights are directed onto the desks to allow distributed materials to be read. This ensures both the projected image and any documents on the desk are easy to see.

Counter
Pendant lights were installed so that the counter can be used as a place where staff can work alone as well as communicate with colleagues when they wish to do so, creating a café-like space with a relaxing atmosphere.

Private booths
These enclosed personal spaces can be used when employees wish to concentrate and work on a task alone. Not only dividing the space with partitions but also using spotlights to focus light on the work in front of each person produces a sense of immersion, creating spaces that enhance concentration.

Communication space
This area provides a casual space for everything from meetings to informal conversations. Pendant lighting with a relaxed stylish design has been installed, softly illuminating the space and producing an atmosphere conducive to conversation.

First basement floor open space

Creating a relaxing environment for staff by adding music to lighting

The Machinery Room/Document Storage Room on the first basement floor has been turned into a multipurpose open space that employees can use freely. Since this is the basement floor, the space has no windows, and no light can penetrate from outside. For this reason, integrated base lights of the sB series have been installed for ground lighting, while TOLSO spotlights brighten the atmosphere to create a relaxing environment for staff. In addition, spotlight-type wireless speakers were installed so that sound could float down from the ceiling, to further enhance the sense of relaxation. Much attention to detail is evident throughout the space, such as camouflaging the distribution board with a green sheet for aesthetic appeal. The unification of interior design, lighting and sound realize a well-being-focused office environment unlike any found in conventional government buildings. Employees have also commented that: “The office has a very stylish atmosphere that helps me carry out my work duties with a positive mindset.”

Integrated base light sB series when illuminated

The integrated base light sB series, which provide the ground lighting, use cool white tones, while the TOLSO spotlights illuminating desktops, pillars, and walls, feature warm white tones. Creating a well-balanced mixture of color temperatures has produced a calm, inviting atmosphere while still maintaining sufficient brightness.

Integrated base light sB series when not illuminated.

With the integrated sB series base lights turned off, leaving only the warm-white illumination of the TOLSO spotlight, the space maintains a comfortable level of brightness without being too dark, creating a calming atmosphere. This configuration is ideal when staff wish to spend time in a more relaxing environment.

On the left are wireless speakers.
Like spotlights, these can be attached to duct rails.
Sound floats down from the ceiling, enveloping the space.