Takenaka Corporation expands use of its “Activity Cards,” now adopted in over 100 projects

Takenaka Corporation expands use of its “Activity Cards,” now adopted in over 100 projects

Takenaka Corporation has been expanding the use of its self-developed Activity Cards, a tool designed to draw out client needs when planning new offices or renovating existing workplaces. The card sets, each depicting scenes of how a workspace could be used, allow clients to better envision their ideal working environment while helping designers propose accurate layouts that match real needs. Since their introduction in 2017, the cards have been utilized in more than 100 projects, including corporate offices, university campuses, municipal buildings, and research facilities.

There are three versions:

• Office (87 scenes)

• University campus (84 scenes)

• Municipal government offices (100 scenes)

Each card includes a short description—such as brainstorming in groups, focusing individually, or moving around to refresh—as well as an illustrative photo. The content is based on knowledge accumulated at Takenaka’s Workplace Produce Headquarters and academic research.

The cards are used during workshops with clients, helping participants intuitively select desired work styles. This method requires no special technical knowledge and significantly improves communication between clients and designers compared with conventional interviews.

The Activity Cards have also been featured in the 2020 CASBEE Wellness Office evaluation manual as a case study supporting diverse working styles. Takenaka plans to expand their use into hospitals and urban planning. According to division head Taishiro Iwasaki, the company will continue updating the cards to reflect modern work styles, including various forms of telework.