FUJIFILM Creative Village: A Harmonious Hub of Innovation and Sustainable Design

Set within the core of innovation, the FUJIFILM Creative Village, crafted by Tomoyuki Kobayashi of KOKUYO Co., Ltd., symbolizes collaborative creativity. This innovative complex consists of two interconnected buildings, "CLAY," Fujifilm’s design development center, and "Its," the IT development base. The Village's main objective is to enhance designers' and IT engineers' creative potential and performance, fostering collaboration to drive groundbreaking innovation. Through interdisciplinary cooperation, the FUJIFILM Creative Village not only aims to create innovative products and services but also to tackle crucial societal challenges, inspiring us all to make a positive impact.

The FUJIFILM Creative Village's interior narrative centers on placemaking and a "Studio for Creating Together." This philosophy influences every part of the design process, with all 80 members of the design department playing a pivotal role in shaping the building's identity. Their collaborative efforts go beyond traditional design boundaries, covering architecture, equipment, interior design, furniture, and signage. The outcome is a space that embodies a cohesive vision created through collaborative work at every level.

The Village's architecture and interior design embody refined simplicity. The exterior combines solid concrete with wide latticed windows, drawing inspiration from the Bauhaus philosophy. This celebrates functional beauty by eliminating the unnecessary. Every element is meticulously chosen and executed, creating an environment that exudes purpose and tension, providing fertile ground for creativity to flourish.

Internally, the building's spatial organization is intentionally designed to create specific experiences on each floor. The ground floor provides a peaceful environment for individual focus, with long desks facing large windows to encourage immersion in the creative process. Moving up to the first and second floors is a 10-meter atrium and a grand staircase, symbolizing liberation and promoting spontaneous interaction and the flow of ideas. The theme of exaltation is realized in a below-ground, an 8-meter-high hall meant for collaboration with external design organizations, presentations, cross-industrial collaborations, workshops, and academic partnerships. Additionally, the building features specialized facilities, including a prototyping room with a 3D printer, a painting booth, and a photography studio, all aimed at fostering the creative process and enhancing designers' performance.

As part of its commitment to sustainability, the FUJIFILM Creative Village has been designed with a double-skinned facade to reduce energy consumption for air conditioning and lighting. Additionally, the entire facility is powered by renewable energy sources, demonstrating Fujifilm's dedication to achieving carbon neutrality. This deliberate incorporation of environmental considerations into the design ensures that the Creative Village serves as both an innovation hub and a model of sustainable development. Specific features that promote sustainability, providing reassurance to our stakeholders and the public about our commitment to sustainability.

For more information, please visit: https://www.kokuyo.com/

*This project is one of the shortlisted project in the Sky Design Awards 2024 - Interior Design - Commercial and Office Division

AMADA GLOBAL INNOVATION CENTER: A Fusion of Heritage, Innovation, and Sustainable Design

The AMADA GLOBAL INNOVATION CENTER, designed by Yuzo Kosaka of NOMURA Co., Ltd., is a bold testament to AMADA's unwavering dedication to innovation and craftsmanship. As a global leader in metal processing technology and equipment, AMADA has purposefully crafted a space to showcase its products, embodying the company's resolute spirit of "building bonds with customers and manufacturing that contributes to society." This center is not simply a facility but a resounding declaration of AMADA's legacy and unwavering vision for the future.

The AMADA GLOBAL INNOVATION CENTER is more than just an exhibition hall. It's a place where the essence of metalworking comes to life, offering visitors a unique and exciting experience. Here, they can tangibly experience the 'spirit of manufacturing' and understand the profound impact of metal processing technology on the world. Every design aspect, from the architecture to the interior, fixtures, and signage, has been meticulously crafted to integrate metal processing technology as a core design element. This approach has resulted in a center that offers a truly unique experience, where technology and design converge in a seamless narrative.

The center is not only about displaying products; it's about conveying a more profound message — the value of metal processing technology in shaping our world. By incorporating these technologies into the building, the AMADA GLOBAL INNOVATION CENTER becomes an immersive environment where visitors can explore the endless possibilities of the future. This innovative approach reflects AMADA's commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible while staying true to the principles guiding the company for generations.

The center's design strongly emphasizes sustainability and environmental stewardship. In today's era of environmental conservation, AMADA has taken significant strides to ensure that its innovation center is state-of-the-art and eco-friendly. Through a collaborative effort between architecture, interior design, and exhibition direction teams, the facility has been transformed into a model of environmental sustainability. The center introduces energy-saving products and cutting-edge software that monitor the environmental impact of the entire factory, setting a new standard for eco-friendly industrial design. This commitment to sustainability reassures visitors and industry professionals of AMADA's dedication to a greener future.

The facility's construction and interior design showcase the latest environmentally conscious building practices and advancements. Compared to the previous structure and similar conventional facilities, the center has achieved a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions, demonstrating AMADA's commitment to reducing its environmental footprint. Visitors to the center will have the opportunity to experience these eco-friendly innovations firsthand, as the facility serves as a real-world example of AMADA's dedication to sustainable manufacturing.

AMADA's environmental initiatives extend beyond energy efficiency. The facility utilizes an AI recognition system to optimize lighting and air conditioning, integrates solar power generation, and incorporates a balanced use of recycled materials. These efforts are geared towards meeting regulatory requirements, leading the industry in sustainable practices, and providing solutions to operational and environmental challenges.

The AMADA GLOBAL INNOVATION CENTER is a shining example of what the future of manufacturing should be. It's a place where tradition meets innovation, where the legacy of AMADA's past is honoured while boldly stepping into the future. For visitors, this center offers a rare opportunity to witness, experience, and understand the transformative power of metal processing technology in a space that is as forward-thinking as the innovations it houses. Here, the future of manufacturing is not just imagined—it is realized, inspiring hope and excitement for what is to come.

Designer Profile

For more information, please visit: https://www.nomurakougei.co.jp/

*This project is one of the shortlisted project in the Sky Design Awards 2024 - Interior Design -Commercial & Office Division