Itoki Participates in Chukyo University's Practical Education, Lounge Co-designed with Students Opens

Itoki Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Hiroshi Minato) is pleased to announce the completion of the student lounge renovation project at the Center Building of Chukyo University's Nagoya Campus on March 30, 2026. Itoki participated in this project alongside Kokuyo Marketing Co., Ltd. and Maruten Sangyo Co., Ltd.

This project was an industry-academia collaboration educational program where 22 students from various faculties, not specializing in architecture or spatial design, worked with companies from problem discovery to space design. The completed lounge has been developed as a "place for students, by students" and will be utilized as a space for interaction and learning between classes.

Background The university environment is undergoing significant changes due to the declining birthrate. Over half of private universities are facing enrollment shortfalls, and competition among universities is expected to intensify further. Furthermore, with the widespread adoption of internships, job hunting activities are starting earlier, requiring universities to enhance the quality of education and provide practical learning opportunities to attract students.

This initiative creates opportunities for students to gain experience closer to the real world by working with companies on spatial design. For universities, it leads to educational differentiation and enhanced appeal, while for students, it serves as a career development opportunity. It is also a meaningful initiative for the companies involved, providing them with exposure to new ideas and a chance to connect with future talent. Industry-Academia Collaboration Project Involving 22 Students from Various Faculties The objective of this project was to renovate four student lounges scattered across three floors of the Chukyo University Nagoya Campus Center Building, which was completed in 1994. Twenty-two students from various faculties, who do not specialize in architecture or spatial design, participated. Students from different fields, such as the Faculty of Law, Faculty of Business Administration, and Faculty of Psychology, formed teams assigned to specific companies and worked on spatial design.

In May 2025, students received presentations from three companies—Itoki, Kokuyo Marketing, and Maruten Sangyo—selected companies, and formed teams. Over six months, they independently drove the process from issue identification to the development of spatial concepts and consideration of spatial design. The designs were finalized in November 2025, and the lounge opened on March 30, 2026.

Notably, it is also characteristic that companies that are normally competitors in the office market came together for an educational project and collaborated with students to renovate the student lounges. Itoki Team's Lounge "Nest": Born from Student Voices The overall concept proposed by the university is "Crossroads," aiming to create a space where students with different values can meet and generate new ideas and interactions.

Nine students from the Faculty of Business Administration, Faculty of Policy Studies, and other faculties participated in the Itoki team. They conducted interviews with users of the existing lounge, which revealed feedback such as uncomfortable hard chairs, difficulty in relaxing, and inconvenient seating arrangements. Based on this feedback, they set "Nest for you" as the design concept. The aim was to create a "Nest" where students can gather daily, deepen their learning and interactions, embark on new challenges, and have a secure place to return to. "Four Spaces" Tailored to Student Activities The completed lounge is composed of four spaces catering to learning, interaction, and relaxation: a "Meeting Area," a "Small Group Learning/Interaction Area," an "Individual Study/Rest Area," and a "Large Group Relaxation Area."