Founded in 1961, SIGMA cameras now have many users around the world. As SIGMA corporation continues to grow and innovate as a global company, Green Wise was responsible for the design of the rooftop garden, office greening, and exterior landscape construction and maintenance for their new headquarters building.
An office that takes advantage of its location, and makes you look forward to coming in every day.
This project was initiated by CEO Yamaki’s vision: ‘I want to create an office that people will want to come to every day and further enhance communication among the staff ’.
SIGMA has had its headquarters in the Kurigi area in Asao Ward, known as Microcomputer City, since 2005. Since then, the number of employees has increased, and the previous building no longer provided enough space. As a result, he decided to construct new headquarters.
Among various potential sites, SIGMA headquarters decided to continue to put down roots in the current location, which was close to the natural Kuriki forest area, reaffirming the area’s charms that are not found anywhere else.
The new headquarter location was only a few blocks from its current place, which was right next to the Kuriki forest area and the new building and landscape design were expected to take full advantage of this natural environment.
How to bring expectations to life, with plants, flowers and greens
We gathered input from both the CEO and the SIGMA staff’s opinion to clearly identify the challenges.
・We want to have a space to announce new products upon release, where people can experience them, and also a place to broadcast on Social media or Youtube Live.
・We want to encourage even more communication among the staff, as departments will be separated into different floors in the future.
・We want to create opportunities to start conversations with customers who visit our office.
・We want to create a space where staff can relax and refresh both mind and body.
We considered what we can do to use plants to achieve these goals.
A new form of symbiosis that benefits both people and nature.
First, we arranged the forest in the conservation area to allow sunlight to pass through, creating a connection between the forest and the building. This setup allows the forest scenery to be visible from the windows of the buildings. From inside, you can clearly observe the daily changes in the weather and the different seasons, making you feel even closer to nature.
By maintaining the forest, we have improved the environmental conditions, contributing to the conservation of rare plants classified as endangered species in that area. Furthermore, the pruned branches are not discarded but processed into wood chips, which we reuse as paving materials for rooftop garden paths.
When plants are a little closer to you life.
We set up a naturalistic garden on the rooftop, featuring around 60 varieties of uniquely shaped and colourful perennials. Combined with the trees of Kurigi Green Park that are close to the building, you can feel as if you are surrounded by nature.
The garden changes its appearance daily, offering countless moments and views that inspire you to capture them with your camera. It is also the perfect place to experience SIGMA products.
The SIGMA staff actually showed us photos they took using SIGMA cameras in the rooftop garden.
Photography by: SIGMA Staff
Equipment Used: SIGMA fp + SIGMA 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary
In the ‘communication void’ located midway up the open staircase in the atrium, we made several adjustments to enhance comfort. We designed the space to allow for relaxation and a closer connection to nature by using houseplants with spreading branches and tree-like shapes above head level. Additionally, we included wider planter edges to provide space for placing smartphones and drinks.
We hope that these connection spaces within the stairs will encourage more communication between staff from different floors and departments.
On-site, we use planting management that minimises the use of chemical pesticides, allowing people to experience the plants with peace of mind.
In the courtyard, we grow herbs and host herb tea workshops, allowing staff people to pick the herbs themselves and enjoy them during their breaks.
Additionally, during regular maintenance, the maintenance staff lay out the can take branches, flowers and herbs trimmed that day for the Sigma staff to take home. They seem to enjoy incorporating these plants in their daily lives, whether by decorating their office or using them at home.
Yamaki, the CEO, shared his thoughts with us: ‘I’m glad to see how the staff’s mindset is changing after moving to a new office. It’s wonderful to see them going home with a bouquet of flowers ’.
Plants add joy, comfort and touch of colour to our daily routine. We’re also excited to see what new communications and discoveries will emerge through these plants in the future.
《Information》
SIGMA Corporation
Location: Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Completion Date: May 2022
Design: KAJIMA DESIGN
Construction: Kajima Corporation Yokohama Branch
Landscape and Indoor Greenery Supervision, Design, Construction, and Maintenance: Green Wise Co., Ltd.
Exhibition Planning and Furniture: Iwasaki Design Studio / Ichiro Iwasaki, Arper Japan
Signage Planning: TSDO / Taku Sato, Takuya Shiraishi