Build an office that cures Monday anxiety

Super Normal Design Office space

Location:ShenZhen ,China

Completion:2021.10

△Click on the image to view the project video△

Q: How would you describe Super Normal as a team?

A: More than a company, it feels like a village. And instead of a boss, I see myself more as a village chief—Chief of the "Normal Village." We have a group of thoughtful teammates who constantly challenge themselves to approach problems with a sense of normalcy and common sense, delving deeply into their solutions.

Q: How did the name "Super Normal" come about? Why are "normalcy" and "common sense" so important to you?

A: When we started the company, the industry was caught up in a wave of “chasing sophistication and high-end aesthetics.” We weren’t fans of this trend because it lacked any real connection to people. Sometimes, we’d even catch ourselves falling into this trap, losing sight of what truly matters. That’s why we made it a habit to self-reflect—are we thinking and designing with common sense? Are we connecting with real people? Are we bringing them basic happiness? At that time, Naoto Fukasawa held an exhibition called Super Normal. The phrase struck a chord with me, so we registered it as our name. Initially, we were a bit nervous about the choice and prepared a backup name just in case Super Normal didn’t resonate well with people—something more “international” sounding. But in the end, it stuck.

Q: What was your main focus when designing this office?

A: This office was conceived and realized during the pandemic, a time when tools supporting remote work became instantly abundant, proving the feasibility of working from home. So we asked ourselves: Why do we still need an office? And if we do, what kind of office should it be? We envisioned a space that encourages communication, promotes a healthy and happy lifestyle, and inspires joy in finding creativity from daily life. It should also be an environment that supports turning those inspirations into effective design methodologies.

The type of design philosophy you embrace determines the type of office you create—or perhaps it’s the other way around. This team, dedicated to "creating happiness through the power of design," has chosen to treat their employees as valued clients, reshaping the concept of an ideal office. Instead of focusing on style and aesthetics, Super Normal places greater emphasis on the comfort of the space, the well-being of its users, and even the subtle interaction between shadows of trees outside the window and the people within.

A year after this office—one that might just “cure Monday anxiety”—was put into use, we sat down with the creators at Super Normal. As both designers and users of the space, they shared their experiences, reflections, and the stories of how this office became a starting point for them to feel, think, and create anew.

Traditional office spaces in skyscrapers confine human agency within towering exteriors, where the extreme sense of congestion has led to "sick building syndrome" becoming a modern ailment. Inspired by the WELL system, Super Normal has embarked on a new approach to office space design. By focusing on the interaction between "people and environments," they have created a healthy, human-centered workspace. Through prioritizing "comfort" and "a sense of life," they aim to spark "creativity," transforming green office spaces into true incubators of inspiration.

Q: What prompted Super Normal to consider moving to a new office?

A: In recent years, Super Normal has achieved significant milestones. However, our previous two offices provided poor experiences in terms of environment, atmosphere, and space. So, we conducted a survey to gather everyone's ideas for the ideal office. Suggestions ranged from "having a shower room" to "a kitchen for cooking" and even "not wanting to hear the boss snoring during lunch breaks." Our colleagues are the company's most valuable asset, and we fully respect their opinions. Eventually, we found this dream location in OCT (Overseas Chinese Town).

Q: What were your main priorities when designing the new office?

A: Instead of chasing the latest trends, we strive for timeless and classic aesthetics. We advocate for understated, modest designs that emphasize inner depth and enduring charm. In all our designs, people are the most important element. We focus on how elements like air, water, plants, sound, and light within a space impact human health. Super Normal's design approach isn’t just about creating impressive visuals; it’s about conveying a people-centered philosophy. For example, we paid close attention to lighting. We chose high-quality artificial lighting for primary illumination while ensuring abundant natural light. The lighting in the meeting rooms, for instance, changes constantly throughout the year. These shifts are natural, beautiful, and invaluable.

Q: How do you feel about the new office after moving in?

A: What stands out the most is the walk up the outdoor staircase every morning. The sunlight streams through the arches, and I can’t help but look up. That’s when I’ll notice—oh, the meeting room glass isn’t very clean, we need to wipe it down.

Q: What is Super Normal’s working style like? Anything unique about it?

A: We’re the kind of people who like to wander around the office. Sometimes it’s not even intentional, but this “unnecessary” movement—chatting casually with others as we go—often sparks some fun and interesting ideas.

Q: What’s your favorite area in the office and why?

A: I love the walk to the pantry. Every time I pass by, I feel like stopping for a moment to look outside. The cactus out there keeps growing taller and taller—it feels like it’s about to pierce the sky.

Super Normal's new office is nestled in a low-rise community building, offering a serene retreat amidst a bustling environment. Steering away from high-density office zones, the location fosters a closer connection between employees, the surrounding community, and natural landscapes. The minimalist white façade breathes a modern vibe into the old structure. At the entrance, the traditional reception desk is replaced with a multifunctional space that serves as an exhibition area and venue for temporary events, demonstrating remarkable spatial flexibility and adaptability.

The leisure area boasts excellent views and natural light, with greenery seamlessly bridging the indoors and outdoors. Its versatile design accommodates various functions—whether for small group discussions and model-making or, when connected to the entrance hall, hosting team gatherings and events.

Q: Do you often come to the office on weekends, even when you’re not working overtime?

A: Yep! On weekends, if I don’t have much going on, I’ll casually drop by the office. I won’t bother with slippers, just wander around to check on how my sweet potatoes are growing, see what’s left in the fridge, or poke around everyone’s desks. I always find something interesting.

Q: Has your work experience changed in the new office?

A: The lighting in the old office was terrible—it was blinding to look at an iPad. That’s no longer an issue. Now, if anything, the sunlight feels a bit too bright! My old desk didn’t even get sunlight, but now I can see the sun, the sky, and even the miniature Eiffel Tower at Window of the World.

Q: What’s your favorite area in the office and why?

A: I love the walk to the pantry. Every time I pass by, I feel like pausing for a bit to watch the cactus outside. It keeps growing taller and taller, like it’s about to pierce the sky.

Light plays a vital role in the Super Normal office, serving as a natural gift that infuses the space with energy and transparency. The exposed concrete walls, meticulously measured, poured, and cooled, stand as symbols of order and timelessness, while also serving as the perfect canvas for natural light. The skylight design in the meeting room allows beams of light to shift throughout the day and across the seasons. Floor-to-ceiling glass extends the sense of space, blending architecture and light to create an eternal yet dynamic visual lightbox.

By expanding the original windows of the building, the enhanced natural light not only provides a broad, open view but also allows greenery to envelop the space fully. This design brings users closer to nature, where the rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds reshape their spatial experience.

In the lighting design, the workspace features wide-angle upward-facing fixtures, using indirect light as the primary illumination for the space. This "light without visible fixtures" approach prevents screen glare on designers' electronic devices while ensuring both adequate workstation brightness and spatial uniformity.

Q: Working overtime is a common reality for designers. How does working late here compare to the old office?

A: Pulling an all-nighter in the old office felt like being released from prison when you finally went home. Here, that feeling is gone.

Q: How would you describe Super Normal as a team, and what’s the usual work atmosphere like?

A: I think Super Normal’s way of working is anything but “normal.” Our ability to tackle challenges is incredibly strong. We love trying things we’ve never done before. For every project, we dedicate ourselves to hands-on research early on, spending significant time analyzing, thinking, and organizing all aspects related to the project.

Q: What motivates you to come to work every day?

A: Hmm, it would have to be my desk, my teammates, and my cat.

Q: Was there a process of gathering input for the functional design of the new office? How did it go? And has the final design been helpful for your work?

A: Initially, there was a version of the office plan where each team leader would have their own small private office. But we all agreed that it's better to sit together as a team. In an open seating arrangement, a simple glance can lead to direct communication, and the efficiency is really high. Plus, we now have enough functional space, so we can gather anytime, anywhere, or simply have a quiet moment alone when needed.

The renowned scholar Edward Hallowell mentioned that shared physical office spaces can spark valuable "human moments." These moments inspire new creative thinking, fostering empathy among people and improving collaboration. This is a feeling that cannot be obtained through conversations on electronic screens. Therefore, even as remote work becomes more common today, we continue to value the importance of human-centered office spaces.

Start by breaking down the "walls" of the cubicle maze to make communication and collaboration omnipresent. Open and unrestricted common areas, combined with maximized natural light and scenic views, form an inspirational space that truly serves people and creativity. The custom-designed desks feature ergonomically angled edges and larger surface areas, creating more expansive and functional workstations. Small brainstorming pods are designed to support diverse working styles and preferences. These mobile workstations serve as flexible hubs for spontaneous conversations or on-the-go tasks.

The single-person phone booth serves as a "sanctuary under pressure," offering enhanced privacy to accommodate phone calls and focused thinking. It allows users to step away from distractions at any time and transition into an efficient and immersive personal workspace.

The terrace is a retreat to nature, offering a space for relaxation and spontaneous conversations while adding a touch of wilderness to team gatherings. The redesigned greenery not only improves air quality and reduces energy consumption but also creates an organic environment for physical activity. Additionally, the interior is equipped with shower facilities, encouraging employees to engage in various types of exercise.