Gold Architecture, Building and Structure Design · 2025
Yamaha Corporation Headquarters Head Office
- A' Design Award 2025 Gold Winner in Architecture, Building and Structure Design
- Awarded April 15, 2025
- CLIENT: Yamaha Corporation
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 94,263
- Verification code 88EACB2286 · Verify this award
About Yamaha Corporation Headquarters Head Office
Yamaha Corporation Headquarters is an office building in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka, Japan. The twelve-story steel structure rests on a seismic isolation system and reaches a maximum height of about 59 meters. A symmetrical double-skin curtain wall stands on a stable podium and emphasizes verticality. A large overhanging volume at the lower level links the new building to the existing one and allows smooth movement. A pilotis space, a two-story atrium and a planted upper terrace support interaction. Ventilation windows provide natural airflow.
Yuya Kimura's Yamaha Corporation Headquarters Head Office emerges as a distinguished exemplar of twenty-first century corporate architecture that thoughtfully negotiates between institutional presence and approachable hospitality. The design demonstrates sophisticated understanding of how contemporary headquarters buildings can project organizational values through spatial and material choices, here suggesting transparency, warmth, and cultural rootedness through the dialogue between extensive glazing and natural timber elements. The soaring tower achieves its commanding presence through refined proportions and the subtle modulation of its curtain wall system, where vertical mullions create a visual rhythm that lends the facade textural interest while maintaining the clarity of its crystalline envelope. Perhaps most notably, the architects have crafted an arrival experience of considerable generosity through the sweeping canopy structure that extends outward to shelter the forecourt, its warm timber soffit creating an inviting threshold between exterior and interior realms. The circular sculptural element centered within this covered court establishes a contemplative focal point that invites pause before entry, transforming functional circulation into meaningful procession. The compositional relationship between vertical tower and horizontal podium achieves dynamic equilibrium, with the cantilevered canopy's angular thrust introducing controlled tension that energizes what might otherwise read as static formal relationships. Landscape elements have been integrated with precision, the young trees and maintained lawns softening the architectural assertiveness while contributing to environmental quality and human comfort. The building's glass envelope engages in continuous dialogue with atmospheric conditions, its surface capturing and transforming sky and cloud into an ever-changing composition that ensures the facade never reads as inert or monotonous. Viewers might contemplate how architecture can embody organizational aspiration while remaining welcoming to those who approach its threshold.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This building, located in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan serves as the global headquarters of Yamaha Corporation, a renowned manufacturer of world-class musical instruments. The main feature of this building is the connection with the existing building through a large overhanging volume at the lower level that allows for smooth traffic. This network-form design not only enhances employee interaction but also promotes brand communication and organizational synergy.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Location: Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka, Japan
Use: Office (Headquarters)
Construction period: October 2022 - June 2024
Site area: 43,448.51m2
Building area: 2,833.26m2
Total floor area Number of floors: 12 floors above ground
tower building 1st floor
Maximum Height: 59.023m
Structure: Steel construction, Seismic Isolation - Tags
- Architecture, office, headquarters, Yamaha, Obayashi Corporation, seismic isolation, ZEB, natural ventilation, piano, Japan
- Production Technology
- The building showcases a symmetrical double-skin curtain wall on a stable podium, symbolizing its head office role while reflecting the sky and emphasizing verticality. The lower section features a dynamic pilotis space and a two-story atrium, with an upper terrace that includes a wood deck and plantings for enhanced connectivity. Inside, Yamaha's philosophy is evident through a monochrome color scheme, varied materials, diverse ceiling shapes and biophilic design.
- Design Challenge
- This describes structural planning solutions. A base isolation structure ensures business continuity. The steel-framed superstructure has earthquake-resistant columns for openness and rigidity. Cantilever beams support the core-side span, while independent columns with low-friction bearings hold third-floor overhangs. Large beams manage stresses, and the SRC foundation allows smooth stress transmission. Column heads are placed within the eaves for better continuity at the entrance.
- Project Duration
- Location: Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka, Japan
Construction period: October 2022 - June 2024 - Operation Flow
- The office planning was based on the ABW concept of encouraging employees, the end-users, to work autonomously. The goal was to create a workplace that is worth coming to work in by providing a variety of seats and locations and a highly functional environment to enhance engagement. In addition, advanced technologies such as the Yamaha Web Conference System were adopted to enable smooth transmission and collaboration from the head office to all domestic and overseas offices and plants.
- Research
- In the new normal office design of the after-corona era on the standard floor, ventilation windows were installed to ensure natural ventilation in case of emergency. To verify the effectiveness of this ventilation window in the interim period and the effect of improving the office temperature and humidity environment, a fluid analysis was conducted for the prevailing winds on the site. Through this approach, we aim to create an office space that is both comfortable and safe.
In addition, in order to minimize the negative impact of the building on the neighboring environment after its construction, we conducted a shading simulation and a wind environment simulation. Based on this analysis, we developed the shape and layout of the building as well as a planting plan. Through this process, we aim to harmonize the building with the surrounding environment and create a sustainable architectural design that takes the community into consideration. - Inspiration
- As the culmination of a reorganization plan that has been underway since 2007, this project relocated the aging functions of the existing Yamaha head office to the east wing in the center of the facility and consolidated them into a compact office located in the city center, while strengthening collaboration with other buildings. The client expressed a variety of requests for the project, including brand image expression, high environmental performance, and a highly efficient workplace.
- Image Credits
- Image #No1-5: Photographer Naomichi Sode (SS Co., Ltd)