We are proud to showcase the design of Canon’s new printing headquarters, a true ‘green landmark’ set to welcome its first employees this summer. Situated in the scenic Finlo area, the company’s headquarters is nestled within a beautiful natural landscape. From afar, this iconic sustainable building stands out amidst the surrounding forest.
Located along the A67 highway, this building is easily visible thanks to the rhythmic design of its glass curtain wall and the prominent red Canon logo atop the structure. Inside, the headquarters offers a naturally lit, welcoming workspace. Visitors entering the lobby are greeted by a nine-story-high courtyard, a reception desk, and a comfortable waiting area with stunning views of the terrace and surrounding forest.
△ Location analysis chart
This green landmark features four “green squares” — open spaces filled with natural light, large indoor gardens, and natural materials such as wood and stone. The first square, spanning the two lowest floors, includes a restaurant, auditorium, and conference rooms. From the third floor upward, each square connects to office spaces on two levels, encouraging informal meetings and conversations during breaks. These squares act as social hubs, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among the 500 employees working here.
From each green square, employees and visitors can enjoy unique views of the surrounding forest, with the top floor offering a panoramic outlook over the Maas River Valley. Each square is rotated 90 degrees around the building’s central atrium, connecting the headquarters to all major directions and seamlessly integrating it with the natural environment. The extensive glass curtain wall floods the interior with sunlight during the day, while indoor lighting highlights the gardens at night, making the building inviting and transparent around the clock.
△ Analysis chart
Our design carefully integrates the structure into the surrounding landscape. When planning this compact building and its 400 parking spaces, we prioritized preserving the forest and its native flora by, for example, directly infiltrating rainwater into the soil. We also respected natural features such as local sand dunes and historic sites nearby, including old residences. Energy efficiency is a key focus: passive shading, triple-glazed windows, and energy-saving LED lighting contribute to the building’s low energy consumption.
The entire roof is covered with photovoltaic panels, including the atrium roof equipped with solar cells. The building is connected to a heat pump system that utilizes geothermal and cold storage technologies. It has earned the BREEAM Excellent Design certification. Additionally, the building is designed with future adaptability in mind, featuring flexible interior facilities and the potential to add extra floors to the green squares, expanding the workspace as needed.
Project Drawings
△ Third Floor Plan
△ Fifth Floor Plan
△ Seventh Floor Plan
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Section Diagram
△ Section Diagram
△ Detailed Drawing
△ Detailed Drawing
Project Information
Architectural Design: Broekbakema
Area: 15,500 m²
Project Year: 2020
Photographer: Norbert van Onna
Suppliers: Humanscale, QbiQ Wall Systems, Tarkett BV
Lead Architect: Erik van Eck
Project Coordinator: Marius Voets
Architects: Sander Veenstra, Karin Houwen, Pim Pompen, Thomas Sandfort
Technical Architects: Maurice Knook, Maarten van der Marel, Bouke den Ouden
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up