2nd STREET Mock Store Installed Inside Office – GEO SYSTEM SOLUTIONS VIETNAM

不動産仲介のN-ASSET様からご紹介いただいたコンドミニアムのリノベーション計This is one of our construction project case studies. The design was led by Professor Nakakura of Nakakura Architects & Urban Design, who teaches architecture at the University of Tokyo, while the construction was carried out by CRAFTEC. As the client is not based in Vietnam, we conducted regular coordination via a group LINE chat. In addition to daily construction reports, we also held detailed discussions with Mr. Nakakura by occasionally connecting live video from the site. Thanks to this close communication, we were able to complete the project without any major issues. “Because architecture is something we devote months of effort to create, it is only natural to approach completion photography with the same level of care. The market value of a property owned by the client can significantly change depending on the quality of its architectural photographs.” With this in mind, it was particularly impressive that Mr. Nakakura visited Ho Chi Minh City not only for the final inspection but also to personally conduct the completion photography. Working with an architect provides us with valuable learning opportunities beyond our own design-and-build projects—almost like a form of hands-on training—which helps elevate our capabilities as well. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the client for entrusting us with this project, and to Mr. Nakakura for his flexible yet precise remote management of the construction site in Vietnam, where conditions differ greatly from those in Japan.

The Risks of Unexpected Office Relocation in Vietnam The Ho Chi Minh City representative office of Japan Pulp & Paper faced a sudden relocation challenge. Their previous location at The LANDMARK, a prominent building in District 1, issued an abrupt notice for all tenants to vacate by the end of 2025 due to licensing renewal issues. In Vietnam’s real estate market, landlords often hold significant leverage, and once such a notice is issued, tenants have no choice but to comply promptly. From Initial Meeting to Handover: A Tight 2.5-Month Timeline When we first met to discuss the interior design, the new location had already been selected, but the deadline for operations was only two and a half months away. Completing the entire process—finalizing layout designs, budget adjustments, construction, moving, and restoring the old premises—within this window is an incredibly tight schedule. It is rare for Japanese expats to experience a forced relocation during their short assignment period, and managing such a project alongside daily operations is a heavy burden, especially for those newly arrived. Faced with this high-pressure situation, Japan Pulp & Paper reached out to Craftec following a recommendation from another Japanese firm. The Dilemma of Office Planning and Fire Safety Regulations in HCMC Just as the budget was approved by the Japan headquarters and construction permits for the Saigon Trade Center were secured, a sudden challenge arose. A few days into construction, the building management issued a new directive: the glass entrance doors and adjacent windows had to be replaced with specialized fire-resistant glass. Through intensive design revisions and negotiations with fire safety authorities, we managed to minimize the scope of changes, preventing a significant cost surge. In Vietnam, it is not uncommon for building authorities to issue new construction guidelines that deviate from previously approved plans—this project was a prime example of such regulatory volatility. A Case Study in Navigating Modern Relocation Risks in Ho Chi Minh City The Japan Pulp & Paper relocation project was a microcosm of the risks inherent in the Ho Chi Minh City office market. Despite the legal complexities, shifting fire safety standards, and the aggressive timeline, the project was completed without a hitch. This success was made possible by seamless collaboration and the rapid adaptability required to thrive in Vietnam’s fast-paced business environment.

Startup Growth: Reaching Our Office Limits Within a Year Our startup journey began in a 60m2 furnished office at the HP Building in Da Kao, Ho Chi Minh City. Initially, we planned to stay there for two to three years. However, having grown from a team of 4 to 13 in just one year, we quickly outgrew the space much sooner than anticipated.   Driving Forces for Our Office Expansion The primary reason for our relocation was the shortage of workstations for our site supervisors. Given the harsh, dusty, and non-air-conditioned environments they endure on construction sites, the office should be a place of respite. When we saw them working at pantry and meeting tables due to lack of space, we decided to relocate immediately, regardless of our remaining lease term. Living the Standards of Office Design Excellence Just as a good chef learns by tasting excellent ingredients, and a good sommelier builds expertise by experiencing fine wines, we believe that as professionals in office design, we ourselves should work in an environment surrounded by high-quality office functions and specifications. The work chair- being the only piece of furniture in constant, long-term contact with the body-was selected from Japanese manufacturers. All office staff, including management, use the same chair as the president. The lighting system adopts circadian lighting, which changes color temperature throughout the day, complemented by relaxing aromas from aroma diffusers and comfortable background music played through ceiling speakers. For efficient PC work, we designed simple group desks equipped with pop-up power outlets that allow wireless charging simply by placing a mobile device on them. In addition, height-adjustable desks were custom-designed and built for those who wish to work while standing. To verify convenience and functionality ourselves, we also introduced digital whiteboards in the meeting rooms. For air quality, we selected a German-made air purifier equipped with HEPA filters of the same performance level used in Airbus aircraft. By actively using and experiencing various office functions in our daily work, we deepen our understanding of the working environment and ensure that we can provide our clients with high-quality, reliable services.   The office is the most immediate testing ground for improving work productivity. Office productivity can only be enhanced when the “hard” elements—the physical office space—and the “soft” elements—management—are effectively combined. No matter how stylish or how simple an office may be, it is the “magic” of management that changes the faces and attitudes of the people who work there. At CRAFTEC, we begin each morning by cleaning the office together, allowing everyone to gain firsthand insight into the maintainability of finishing materials. Before the morning meeting, we ease tension with a game of darts. When a staff member arrives late or forgets to wear their uniform on Uniform Day, colleagues approach them with smiles and say, “Here you go—this is a donation,” placing a contribution into a donation box. In this way, negative feelings are shared lightly and transformed into something positive. The collected donations are regularly given to disaster relief efforts and orphanages. We have extended the lunch break by 15 minutes, from 12:00 to 1:15 p.m., to ensure time for a short nap after lunch. At the start of the afternoon work session, we perform simple stretching exercises that can be done while seated. By incorporating these small but thoughtful ideas into our daily routines, we continuously refine our own way of working in this new office—so that we can wholeheartedly support our clients in creating better, more productive office environments.

Located in Deutsches Haus, a Grade A building in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, the new ASICS VIETNAM office is a sophisticated space comprising two dedicated work areas for the ASICS and ONITSUKA TIGER teams. The facility features a professional B2B Showroom, two modern meeting rooms, two private online booths, and a spacious warehouse. In Asia, ITOKI is the trusted partner for most ASICS stores and offices. As the designated interior contractor for ITOKI in Vietnam, CRAFTEC collaborated closely with the ITOKI Thailand and ITOKI Indonesia teams for this relocation project. The project presentation was delivered to ASICS’s Regional Headquarters in Singapore. This project stands out in the Vietnamese market as a prime example of cross-border collaboration, involving seamless project management across four countries.

The selection of candidate properties began six months in advance. This was a relocation project from the VINCOM Center office in Ho Chi Minh City, which had been leased for many years. The planning began approximately six months before the completion of the new office, during which site visits to candidate spaces were conducted, and we provided support starting from the creation of test-fit layouts for promising options. As corporate office relocation projects require the calculation of the total budget, including moving costs and reinstatement work, as well as an approval process from the head office in Japan, it is essential to carefully verify the appropriateness of the space size to avoid issues after selecting a new office candidate. For offices under 200 m², this preliminary check is particularly important, as the aspect ratio of the space significantly affects the efficiency of desk layout arrangements.   Meetings with the representative managing multiple locations across Vietnam were conducted via chat. The representative of PASONA VIETNAM manages multiple locations across Vietnam as well as other surrounding regions and maintains an extremely busy schedule. Therefore, we primarily focused on real-time communication via chat for our meetings. As the time available for carefully reviewing documents was limited, we presented options during the proposal stage to make decision-making as easy as possible. Based on our previous experience working with PASONA VIETNAM on an office renovation project, we already had a good understanding of reusable furniture and office usability. As a result, during the early planning stage, we worked to finalize the details of the new layout quickly and invited the client to attend on-site meetings at key milestones.   Office design that leverages the unique characteristics of the property The new office featured an overall sense of openness and brightness, with white ceramic tile flooring, a flat ceiling, borrowed scenery of lush green trees visible through the windows, and glass walls facing the common corridors. To make the most of these existing conditions, we adjusted the layout and interior design while maintaining budget control. During construction, we expanded the painted areas in PASONA RED, the company’s corporate color, and further refined the design. As the office had many windows facing the southwest with strong sunlight, and the ceiling, walls, and floors were all white, we selected a light beige base tone for the wall color to create a space that is gentler on the eyes than originally planned.

This was a plan to expand and relocate the office from The LANDMARK to the Japanese building, The Nexus. DHG was introduced to us by a major Japanese consulting firm with whom we have an ongoing business relationship. DHG is the Vietnamese subsidiary of Taisho Pharmaceutical and is one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in Vietnam. As a large enterprise, the review of quotations, contract documents, and construction drawings required communication with various specialist teams, including architecture, legal, and accounting. Therefore, we always received cooperation from the expatriate staff and aimed to achieve a smooth relocation.   The design requirements for DHG’s new 530 m² office At the initial stage of the planning, we presented a design matrix and shared the overall design direction appropriate for a pharmaceutical company. The goal was to create an office that conveys a bright impression, interiors that evoke a sense of safety and trust, and a suitable level of formality for visitors (never too heavy). In addition, as this new office supports business expansion in urban areas of Vietnam, we introduced a casual, café-like atmosphere with a bright impression in the pantry area so that employees could feel comfortable in the new office environment. Office relocation projects offer a different kind of appeal compared to new market entry offices. This lies in achieving overall satisfaction by balancing usability, layout, and design, while clearly differentiating the new office from the former one.   From the property selection stage, including site visits to candidate properties and advisory comments Although the relocation project began in this way, we conducted site visits and prepared test layouts even before the destination property had been narrowed down to a single option. As we repeatedly reviewed and discussed together whether there were any issues with the potential relocation sites, the required image of the office gradually became clearer. Through multiple test layout studies, we believe we were able to assist in appropriately determining the tenant area, ensuring that the leased space for this relocation was neither too large nor too small.   Increasingly stringent fire inspection requirements and handover schedule risks Ho Chi Minh City has a limited number of Grade A office buildings. As The NEXUS is a newly constructed building completed in November 2023 and owned by Tokyu Land, its fire safety standards are among the most stringent applied to office buildings in Ho Chi Minh City. As tenants are not permitted to move into a new office unless a fire safety inspection certificate is issued, we explained in advance to the client the necessity of allowing approximately three additional weeks, in addition to the standard construction period, for the issuance of the fire safety permit. By expediting the commencement of construction, we were able to hedge the risks to the overall schedule, including the completion of the relocation   A 90 m² large conference room It is extremely rare for an office in Ho Chi Minh City to have a meeting room of this size. For the design of this large conference room alone, we conducted detailed studies equivalent to planning a 100 m² office, and held thorough discussions covering every aspect, including interior design, furniture, fixtures, electrical systems, and network infrastructure.  

The office as ‘hardware’ that had been left behind amid the transformation of work styles. As we developed the concept design for the office relocation, our main goal was to break away from the traditional “old-style office.” While working styles had changed, the previous office environment remained outdated and stagnant. Using this relocation as an opportunity, we aimed to eliminate the typical “aged elements” often seen in conventional offices. For the new KOBO Sapporo Office, which was planned to operate with a free-address system, the new 60m² irregularly shaped floor inspired a fresh layout approach. Instead of a rigid, orthogonal arrangement, we placed the main desk island diagonally and installed free-address counter seats along the walls turning the unconventional floor shape into a distinctive advantage. Strong sense of renewal from a dated traditional office to a modern workspace We selected solid wood flooring that relatively uncommon in offices and installed it diagonally to align with the angled group desk layout. The ceiling was kept bright with white-painted exposed finishes. To balance the strong presence of the walls in this irregularly shaped space, we introduced a subtle yet lively atmosphere by choosing three key earth-tone colors: smoke blue, light gray, and yellow. Solving the functional GAP between work style and physical office through the relocation. This relocation effectively closed the gap between our updated work style and the outdated office environment. By introducing free-address seating and a café-like comfort to the irregular layout, we successfully modernized the office’s hardware to match the way people work today.

This project involved the relocation and renovation of the VUI VUI Global Lounge in Da Nang, operated by H.I.S.We had previously renovated the meeting room at H.I.S.’s Ho Chi Minh office, and thanks to that connection, we were also selected to handle this Da Nang relocation project.The plan involved moving to a new street-level space located in one corner of the GRANDVRIO City Hotel.Unlike the previous office, which also functioned as a travel lounge, the new plan separates the travel lounge and office into different locations. Since the client managed the project remotely from Ho Chi Minh City, we made sure to provide detailed progress reports during meetings and construction — attaching as many photos, sketches, and notes as possible to avoid any communication gaps. For the lounge design, we aimed for a bright and colorful look visible from the glass-front entrance — featuring vivid green walls, a smoky blue counter, and orange sofas.In the back, a decorative wall lit with Hoi An-style lanterns adds a touch of local charm.We designed the space to make female travelers feel comfortable and relaxed, even allowing them to try on traditional Ao Dai costumes in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.