An incubator of fresh ideas, Venture Lab Silicon Valley (VLSV) links start-ups in the United States with a high-tech ceramics producer in Japan. Founded in 1936, the innovative facility’s parent company, the Nagoya-based NGK Spark Plug Co., is a leading manufacturer of vehicular spark plugs utilizing ceramic material. But when the arrival of electric cars signaled a slowdown in spark plug use, NGK began re-tooling their ceramics products for medicine, energy, and other industries. Keen to explore business opportunities with cutting-edge entrepreneurs, NGK hired Hakuhodo, an advertising agency, who, together with  its production arm Hakuhodo Product’s, organized a team to create a brand experience for the company through spatial design. They recommended two Tokyo firms, Katagiri Architecture+Design and Kakizoe Architects, to help develop the concept and design for headquarters of its new subsidiary in Tokyo and Silicon Valley.

VLSV occupies an 8,600-square-foot space on the fourth floor of a 12-story office building in Santa Clara, California, where parent company NGK Spark Plug has offices. The project’s L-shaped plan is loosely divided into a linear sequence of function zones. Moving from presentation to work sections, it starts with a reception lobby that opens onto the “Ice Break” area, where visitors meet VLSV staff before moving to the Exhibition Space. This gallery leads to the Collaboration Lounge, followed by a meeting space, mini-kitchen, glass-enclosed workshop, and workstations for visiting collaborators. A large conference room is tucked behind the Ice Break and lobby.