“Like water through a river” — a phrase used by SIGMA founder Michihiro Yamaki — describes the Aizu factory’s camera and lens production: continuous, precise, and tightly connected, like flowing water. Restraint and prudence come from logical thinking, while warmth reflects intention carried through time. ONOAA STUDIO sought to translate this spirit into a space as pure as water, tucked beside a quiet garden yet adjacent to the city’s bustle. SIGMA’s philosophy, “Beyond the technology, is Art,” became a central thread throughout the planning and design.

The space is organized around three conceptual chapters: “The Ways of Being” (Reception), “The Ways of Crafting” (Display), and “The Ways of Seeing” (Gallery). Together, these zones interlock seamlessly, each echoing the others while guiding visitors through the brand’s culture, craftsmanship, and artistic vision.

“Breaking boundaries to convey value,” the product service room sits within the reception area. Through glass, visitors can clearly observe technicians repairing equipment at the workbench. This face-to-face transparency strengthens interaction between SIGMA and its customers. The service room walls are composed entirely of a parts-storage system: drawers arranged in a rigorous grid, each compartment categorized according to the technicians’ workflow—an understated tribute to Aizu’s exacting standards for every component.

Stepping into the product experience zone, a monumental lens wall rises from floor to ceiling, presenting generations of SIGMA lenses in disciplined order. ONOAA STUDIO developed a triangular column system, studying the mounting mechanisms and specifications across product lines, and custom-molded select fixtures to achieve the wall’s precise display. Beneath it stands a circular island table. Its base is a single block of limestone marked by fossils and weathered traces—compressed and eroded over time—capturing a moment that visitors instinctively record with their eyes.

Inside the exhibition hall, Kvadrat Acoustics was applied to the walls, integrating form, function, and acoustic performance to create wide, seamless surfaces and an exceptionally quiet atmosphere. This calm precision responds to SIGMA’s character as a maker of refined optical instruments, and reinforces “The Ways of Crafting” as a pursuit of rigor and craftsmanship.

On the north façade, an exterior shading system balances privacy and daylight for the gallery during exhibitions. Its flexibility also adapts to seasonal and hourly changes in sunlight, while improving construction efficiency.