Okamura's Singapore showroom features a gigantic chair vending machine and 2m-tall gachapon station

In a world where interaction and sensory play have been severely curtailed by the pandemic, office furniture brand Okamura’s new showroom in Cecil Street is indeed a refreshing experience. More of a communal playground than a traditional showroom, it invites visitors to rethink their relationship with furniture via imaginative installations.

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The most striking, of course, is the 7m-high multi-storey chair vending machine that greets visitors at the entrance. The concept cleverly utilises vertical space to display Okamura’s award-winning products as well as embodies an essential aspect of modern Japanese culture where vending machines are part of daily living.

Visitors simply select a product to view and it’s brought to them, recreating joy from the anticipatory childhood experience of buying something from a vending machine.

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Here’s your chance to also check out iconic Okamura pieces like the Soliste Desk and the Marca Table, which clinched 2020 Red Dot Design Awards. The first for being optimally suitable for a variety of office spaces and the second for being highly flexible, thanks to a folding mechanism.

There’s also the Marca Chair with a flip-up seat and castors, which won the Red Dot Best of the Best Award this year for its sophisticated functionality that adapts seamlessly to any work environment.

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Another unique attraction is the 2m-tall Gachapon Toy Station by the exit, where you will not need encouragement to pick up Okamura trinkets in colourful little capsules.

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The rest of the space, designed as a co-working set-up, has a similarly playful tone. You can work at one of the desks dotted about the room or book the central area for seminars and networking events.

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Wooden accents, greenery and soft lighting create an inviting ambience that woos visitors to experience Okamura furniture in an authentic setting instead of viewing it in isolation.

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If you’re using the shared workspace and need a breather, there’s also a Japanese washitsu corner. Complete with tatami mats and tea, it provides a space for those who need a quiet moment or to hold an informal discussion.

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You’re even encouraged to chat with Okamura’s employees, who share the open-concept office space, and find out more about the brand, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.

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“It is important for individuals to innovate collaboration in today’s digital world where a lack of human interaction is evident,” says Shawn Eng, the Asia-Pacific regional business development director at Okamura.

In a time when such concepts of interpersonal contact and shared experiences are being embraced once again, the creativity and adaptability of brands like Okamura are more necessary than ever.

The Okamura International (Singapore) showroom is at 137 Cecil Street. For more information, visit their website here.