Designing perception inside Sigma Space Shanghai

Designed by ONOAA STUDIO, the Sigma Space in Shanghai presents a carefully calibrated interior where technology, nature, and art converge into a single spatial narrative. Conceived as a physical expression of the brand’s philosophy “Beyond the technology, is Art,” the project translates Sigma’s optical precision into an atmosphere that is contemplative, tactile, and quietly immersive.

Rooted in Sigma’s Japanese lineage of craftsmanship and innovation, the 500 square metre interior is organised as a fluid sequence of reception, product display, and gallery spaces. Rather than separating functions, the design allows them to overlap and inform one another, echoing the brand’s core values of being, crafting, and seeing. Circulation unfolds intuitively, guiding visitors through moments of pause and focus that mirror the act of looking through a lens.

Material choices are restrained yet expressive, favouring tactile surfaces and subtle textures that invite close engagement. Lighting is treated as an architectural medium rather than a technical afterthought, carefully modulated to enhance material depth and highlight the precision of the displayed products. References to the craftsmanship of Sigma’s Aizu factory are embedded in details and proportions, reinforcing a sense of continuity between manufacturing, design, and experience.

More than a retail environment, the Shanghai space operates as a cultural interior where brand, user, and object enter into dialogue. The calm and measured atmosphere fosters emotional connection, allowing visitors to engage with Sigma’s legacy beyond functionality alone. In its quiet balance of innovation and serenity, the project frames technology not as spectacle, but as an art of making and seeing.

Project Credit

Project name: Sigma Space Shanghai
Design firm: ONOAA STUDIO / @onoaastudio
Location: Shanghai, China
Area: 500 sqm
Photo: Jonathan Leijonhufvud / @jonathan_leijonhufvud

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Founded in Shanghai in 2019 by Gao Ya and Chen Peng, ONOAA STUDIO works across architecture and interior design, spanning commercial spaces, renovations, private residences, retail environments, and cultural venues. The studio approaches each project as a synthesis of experimentation and precision, maintaining close control over the design process while grounding spatial ideas in practical realities. For ONOAA, space itself remains the primary medium through which creativity and function are brought into balance.