Fuji Xerox won the New Office Promotion Award at the sixteenth Nikkei New Office Awards sponsored by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun Inc. and the New Office Promotion Association (NOPA).
Out of 106 entrants in the New Office category, which acknowledges a comfortable and functional office settings, 11 were granted Nikkei New Office Awards.
KDI Studio, which houses Fuji Xerox's Knowledge Dynamics Initiative (KDI), brings to fruition the Company's Mission Statement to "Build an environment for the creation and effective utilization of knowledge."
KDI was established in 2000 as a new business group to research into knowledge management and provide related consulting services. Participating members were recruited from throughout Fuji Xerox, with each person encouraged to demonstrate an individual work style. The business aims at creating an office environment that promotes effective communication between members as well as with customers. The office was coined a "studio" to display the dynamic or "lively" flow of knowledge in the space, which is approximately 120m2 in size. The area is divided into four sections, including a work space, collaboration space, library and relaxation space.
The work space is further separated into two zones. In the individual space, workers are free to create an environment that best suits their concentration needs, which includes choosing desk orientation and shape, and chair color. In the central space, four tables can be flexibly arranged according to the number of people or team activities. In this way, multiple meetings or tasks can be carried out simultaneously.
The color of the doors and walls are a vivid orange, while both sides of the entrance way are equipped with large white boards. Furthermore, a brainstorming cabin was set up to allow effective discussion, while a "Den" with a "Do Not Disturb" sign (except for emergencies) was constructed to permit the ultimate in concentration. Members, therefore, have an array of options for either conversation or zero distraction.
The collaboration space, in which meetings are held between members and with customers, employs triangular tables with rounded edges rather than the standard rectangular variety to ensure a more relaxed atmosphere. Moreover, a 50-inch plasma display unit has been installed at the front for use in presentations. The contents can also be displayed on a mobile phone when employees are out of the office. Other measures have been undertaken to increase the ambience and reduce tension, such as suspending a hammock from the ceiling.
Since opening in March 2003, the KDI Studio has already welcomed more than 330 customers and researchers. Just as the words "Intellectual Liveliness" suggest, the studio promotes a friendly ambiance that promotes impassioned discussion on a daily basis, in turn enhancing workers' knowledge base.
