admin, Author at Garde Design Magazine

Wellness Retreat Destinations in Asia

The Global Pandemic has made a huge impact to all of us in different ways and wellness has been one of the industries that found opportunity in these challenging times. Many people have been craving for relaxation and recovery. The importance of wellbeing and immunity has been a priority for most and the demand for wellness retreats has been high.

And while there are a variety of ways to relax, there is nothing quite like a luxury wellness retreat to relax the mind, body and spirt. Asia’s luxury health resorts are now re-aligning their holistic wellness programs to support one’s wellness journey. Whether you are dreaming of the sea, the sand, or the mountains there is a wellness holiday to suit your needs.

Life Reset at Nay Palad, Philippines

Naturally sheltered on the southeastern tip of the island of Siargao, an hour flight from Manila. The hideaway is nestled between two distinct marine ecosystems where guests can enjoy the serene isolation of these untouched beaches that overlooks the Pacific Ocean.

You can bask by the pool in hanging pods scattered around this sanctuary and lounge all day at the private bay. You can also cap off the night at the outdoor bar, play around trampoline in the afternoon and choose to spend mornings in two pagodas – one in the mangroves and one in the sea. A relaxing treat awaits you in this unique spa which is adorned with handwoven fixtures and is particularly atmospheric at night.

Nay Palad takes pride in their wellness treatments at the Boathouse pavilion where they offer yoga meditation outdoors. Their resort has a functional gym area and offers a relaxing ‘Hilot’ massage, a traditional Filipino massage, acclaimed for its healing properties. Luxury at its finest, Nay Palad highlights open-air living and sustainability, harmoniously merging traditional architecture, contemporary interior design, and breathtaking nature all in one luxury experience.

Holistic Retreat at Chiva Som, Thailand

Chiva Som, an award-winning Luxury wellness destination in Asia, exudes modern interior design featuring 54 exquisite rooms, including traditional Thai Pavilions to curate an authentic experience.

Located along the Gulf of Thailand and straddling over seven acres of greenery of Hua Hin, Chiva-Som offers a variety of newly renovated ocean rooms and suites highlighting warm tones and made out of natural materials. Each villa comprises a dining area, dressing room, mini pantry, and two toilets. They take pride in customer-centric service and personalization to create a unique experience. Travelers can choose their desired scent of oil burners, the amenities in their bathrooms, and even the linen and pillows used inside the bedroom depending on their preference.

Chiva Som is also known to offer one of the best wellness programs in Asia. Bask in their indulgent and thorough wellness retreat, accompanied by the invigorating holistic healing programs facilitated by some of the world’s best medical practitioners. Their wellness offerings include detox, yoga, fitness, physiotherapy and weight management designed to guide personal transformation.

Remote Healing in Como Shambala Estate, Indonesia

Set in the lush rainforests of Ubud, Como Shambala Estate is widely known as “luxury retreat for change” featuring state-of-the-art, residential-style accommodations aiming to spring an optimistic ambiance of healing and lifestyle changes.

Tucked in by the splendor of the tropical jungle, they offer healing experiences with highly trained wellness experts such as life coaches, energy healers, yoga masters, and nutritionists, all there to help one achieve a healthy mind, body and spirit while connecting with nature.

The villas and suites are located around the 23-acre site to craft a restful and serene environment. Each room is furnished with natural wood furniture, including an alfresco terrace, and semi-outdoor bathrooms. Unwind by the outdoor pool, explore paradise with guided tours, or book massage therapy and other wellness treatments customized to give visitors a memorable experience.

References:
https://www.naypaladhideaway.com/
https://www.chivasom.com/
https://www.comohotels.com/en/comoshambhalaestate

Report on the Ningbo Hankyu Conference

Event

The first Hankyu Department store in China, Ningbo Hankyu, opened last April 16, 2021. Being one of the projects developed under the Cool Japan Organization, it took four years for the retail outlet to open after various twists and turns since its start in 2017. GARDE was involved in the exterior and interior design of the aforementioned property.

GARDE has been involved in several opening projects, such as the Nishinomiya Hankyu opening in 2008, the Hakata Hankyu in 2011, and the Umeda Main Store in 2012. This time, GARDE has created a new commercial facility based on the concept of “China’s first experiential shopping mall” that combines the strengths of a department store with those of a shopping center. The project has gotten off to a strong start for a large-scale commercial facility, and its attention has grown tremendously. Therefore, in response to an enthusiastic request from within the industry, Hankyu Department Store held a seminar on May 28, 2021, on “Keys to Success in Developing a New Style of Commercial Facility”. The seminar was attended by about 80 people from local department stores and shopping centers, and GARDE, which was involved in the concept work and design of the project, gave a presentation.
Yutaka Yamamoto, the design director, took the stage remotely from Japan. The following is an excerpt of Yamamoto’s speech about the design of Ningbo Hankyu.

• Concept
When we created the concept, we had two major things in mind. The first was to create an oasis where people can gather and spend time comfortably, as Ningbo is a new urban area that will continue to develop. The second is to introduce Japanese content, not simply by expressing traditional Japanese culture as it is, but by incorporating it into a modern design that is sublimated.
The concept that emerged was “J FOREST GARDEN”. The concept is based on three elements: “J Culture” = traditional Japanese culture, “Nature” = nature motifs, and “Modern” = contemporary.

• Floor Expansion
The sales floor area of Ningbo Hankyu is about 2.5 times larger than that of the Umeda flagship store. We paid close attention to the spatial configuration of the entire building so that customers can move around this large sales floor without getting bored.

Since one floor is too spacious, a single worldview may bore customers. Therefore, we divided the space into three zones to create the pleasure of circulation. The central area of each zone has a dynamic ceiling design unrestricted to the guidelines, emphasizing the changing zones.

Each floor has a different design theme in order to create a space where visitors can enjoy the experience of a different worldview spread vertically. In the central zone, the plaza connected by the atrium between the 2nd and 3rd floor, and the Gyeongjeon Plaza between the 4th and 7th floor, which is the centerpiece of the entire building, are positioned as the central core of a vertical axis. The dome is inspired by the traditional Japanese architectural technique of woodwork and was designed by sublimating the traditional Japanese technique into a modern design. This is the center of the museum, where visitors can relax on the grand staircase and where large-scale events are held to introduce various goods, activities, and cultures from around the world. We designed this dome as a symbolic space in which people gather to see it and have it etched in their memories.

Qingti Plaza in the central zone on the 4th floor

• Exterior Design
The design includes a welcoming entrance, as we wanted to create a striking yet friendly design that conveys the richness of nature and hospitality that is symbolic of J FOREST GARDEN.
The curtain wall of the upper level is based on the image of “water and forest” as its nature-themed, expressing natural and soft streamlines such as flowing water and ridges of mountains showcasing a forest design. The building is also designed to create beautiful shadows using light, making it an iconic landscape of the new city center.
The lower levels are designed to resemble trees in a forest, using branches and leaves as well as a modern stone pattern where the height was adjusted to attract people to the installation.

The north and south entrances, which serve as the faces of Ningbo Hankyu, symbolizes Hankyu elegance, the DNA of the Hankyu Department Store, expressing the high-quality standards of the brand.
The entrance façade design consists of custom-made reliefs featuring waves, flowers, stars, and sandstone (Crema Marfil) as part of the brand DNA, created together with the Hankyu Department Store when the Hankyu Umeda Main Store was rebuilt.

Exterior appearance

In many ways, this project was the culmination of all of Hankyu Department Store’s design work to date.
Ningbo Hankyu, being born in Ningbo, represented the sublimation of its history and tradition nurtured in Japan and their future is to attract more and more attention from the public.

Property Information
Location: No. 189, Haiyanbei Road, Yinzhou District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China
Total commercial floor area: 176,000m2 (6 floors above ground and 1 floor below ground)
Number of tenants: 380 stores

Scope of work: Exterior design, interior design

Design Director
Yutaka Yamamoto
Director, Design Division, Design Department 1
Yutaka Yamamoto is active in the design and direction of large commercial facilities including department stores. He oversaw the design of the sales floor for the Hankyu Umeda Main Store renovation project and the general direction of Nishinomiya Hankyu. He was responsible for the design of the 3rd and 4th floors for the entire renovation of Ginza Mitsukoshi. Overseas, he directed the renovation of the entire DOOTA building in Seoul, the new PARKSON Johor Bahru store, etc. In 2019, his project was the watch section on the 5th floor of Isetan Shinjuku. Yutaka Yamamoto is also the general design director of Ningbo Hankyu, which opened in 2021, and has extensive experience in designing large commercial facilities in Japan and overseas.

Rebranding of Chinese women’s fashion brand “LANCY” and branding design for the new brand “L By LANCY”.

Project

GARDE designed the first store after the rebranding of Chinese luxury women’s fashion brand “LANCY” and the first store of the newly launched second line “L By LANCY”, starting from the conceptualization, basic planning, basic design, implementation design and supervision.

Since its establishment in 2000, LANCY has been a high-end women’s fashion brand that offers fashion for every occasion, targeting sophisticated urban women with charm, experience, and influence. Competition in the Chinese women’s fashion market is becoming increasingly fierce as average incomes rise, needs diversify, and markets become more fragmented. While the trend toward casual and street fashion continues, there is also a growing emphasis on “brand value”, and there is a stronger demand for brand reliability, not just luxury. In response to this trend, the mission was to redefine the brand value of LANCY and to brand L By LANCY, which had been handled by the same store, as a new brand.

LANCY
We aim to support sophisticated women living in the city by dressing them with unique styles. We also hope to deliver love and power to the world while increasing consumer empathy for the brand value. The concept of the store design is “My place, My time”. With the image of a “mansion” where the girls live, we created a sophisticated yet relaxing space by using high-quality materials and bright, warm tones throughout. In the store, a “gate” is placed as a symbol of a “mansion,” and by changing the material of the floor, a space with different expressions to create to atmosphere of the space. We were conscious of carefully expressing delicate femininity with fine details by creating a luxurious space using the brand’s original LC pattern. We believe that customers should feel what the brand represents as soon as they step into the store.

Inside the LANCY store

L By LANCY
While maintaining the elegant and sophisticated worldview of LANCY, the brand targets a wider and younger audience. Based on the design concept of “My place, My time”, the space is designed to communicate the glitz and glamour of the brand. Their customized chandelier features the L By LANCY logo displayed in the center of the store that creates a very festive and inviting atmosphere.

Inside the L By LANCY store

Scope of work
Concept planning, basic planning, basic design, implementation design, supervision by Garde

GARDE’s Executive Officer & Director Christopher Brooks Discusses the Future of Office Design Post-COVID 19 in Japan Times Interview

Event

GARDE Executive Officer and Director Christopher Brooks was invited as a guest speaker at the talk event “Sustainable Japan Roundtable” hosted by The Japan Times, in which he discussed the future of office design POST-Covid 19, based on his wealth of experience in office design.

As the world is forced to fight the novel corona virus, Christopher feels that what workers want in an office is changing. It’s not just about being functional, but more about what you do there. At the same time, ABW (Activity-based Working) is also advancing. In the past, offices were divided into departments, and people usually worked in a limited space, but now there is no need to create such distinctions or boundaries, and people are realizing that freeing themselves from their desks is a natural progression. With ABW, offices can be designed according to what people do, and 100% remote work is now possible, allowing people to work more and more efficiently.

Eventually, the office will become a place for teams to collaborate and communicate, and the place to concentrate on work will be at home or somewhere other than the office. At the same time, however, we must never forget the importance of our co-workers, and that is what makes us feel part of the organization. It is very important to communicate with your colleagues on a regular basis so that you do not feel isolated.

Some people who have become accustomed to working remotely move to areas where rent is cheaper, and they can enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle. However, housing in Japan is generally small, and there are a certain number of people who prefer to do their work outside the home. In response to this trend, “coworking spaces” such as those operated by WeWork have expanded. But of course, there is a limit to the number and scale of such spaces, so some companies are considering setting up satellite offices where their staff can easily commute.

For future office design, he offers three important guidelines.

Develop an internal infrastructure that can handle the spread of remote work.
The office should be flexible. We still do not know what the future holds for Corona. It is important to be able to respond to a variety of scenarios.
A new way to evaluate employees. In the past, coming to work was the norm, so being in the office was important, but from now on, we need to evaluate employees based on their performance.

Providing a hygienic and safe working environment is also a very important point that has spread rapidly in the Corona disaster. There are many other issues that need to be addressed, such as ventilation, air purification systems, sterilization, and physical distance.

In the post-corona world, while many cultural and logistical issues have arisen, Christopher concludes that in these challenges we are in turn forced to look for opportunities to make fresh innovations in both design and work culture at large. In doing so, we can look at this changing environment as an exciting new frontier in which, through trial and error, new and exciting discoveries can be made.

An example of an office social space from one of Christopher’s past design projects. A patterned rustic rope communication kiosk is placed at the center surrounded by graphics inspired by the blooming of iris flowers during the rainy season.
Photo Credit: Nacasa & Partners

Christopher Brooks

International Design Division, General Manager, Design Director, American Institute of Architects (AIA), Master’s degree in Architecture. He has experience in retail, office and residential design in the United States, Japan and Asia. His key projects are the restaurant ADD in Marco Polo Hotel Hong Kong, Bandai Namco Studios Headquarters, adidas Japan Headquarters (Asia Pacific Property Awards) and MetLife Japan Headquarters (Herman Miller Liveable Office Award, IDA Gold & Silver awards).

Click here for more of the Sustainable Japan Roundtable by The Japan Times
https://sustainable.japantimes.com/roundtable/07

Click here for the archived video.
https://youtu.be/HH7k9FaXeu8

Gurney Food Hall, one of the largest and hottest dining establishments in popular tourist destination Penang, Malaysia

Project

GARDE designed the interiors of Gurney Food Hall, a new upmarket dining establishment at Gurney Plaza, one of the biggest and most popular shopping malls in popular tourist destination Penang, Malaysia. GARDE was also awarded the “Asia Pacific Property Awards 2021-2022” under the category of Interior Design/Leisure Interiors.

Opened in October 2020, Gurney Food Hall is fast gaining popularity as Penang Island’s largest and most exclusive dining establishments, with a maximum capacity of 600 people, making it one of the most talked about restaurant mall in the world. Located in the Straits of Malacca, western of the Malay Peninsula, Penang Island has long been a port of call for trading ships and is one of the most important gathering places in Southeast Asia. Penang has a rich and diverse culinary scene and is consistently ranked as one of the world’s top culinary destinations.

The theme for the design of the new food hall features history of the city and its food culture are deeply intertwined. It was designed to create a sophisticated space that conveys the culture, food and art of Penang Island. Garde decided to divide the space into four zones: the Wharf, the Harbour, the Palm and the Patio, all of which are icons of the city and symbols of its success and development.

The “Wharf Zone” is the first place where traders set foot on Penang Island. The cool, crisp blue of the sea and the arched entrance provides a nice welcome to its guests. The ‘Harbour Zone’, a bustling and vibrant area symbolizes the industrial heart of Penang. The “Palm Zone” represents the rich nature of Penang with traditional handicrafts that translate into a warm and serene space. Finally, the ‘Patio Zone’ is an inviting area bathed in sunshine. Whichever zone one visits, one is assured of a pleasurable experience including outstanding meals with a taste of Penang’s scenery.

The Wharf showcase contemporary street lamps and building signs

The Port is adorned with a nautical motif

The Palm features lush trees and rattan lamps that give a native feel

The Patio presents a grand abstract wooden obche with light curtains

Winner of the Asia Pacific Property Awards 2021!
Interior Design category Leisure Interior category

About the Asia Pacific Property Awards
The Asia Pacific category of the International Property Awards, organised by International Property Media Ltd. It is the most prestigious and widely recognised design award in Asia. Now in its 27th year, the awards recognise excellence in commercial and residential real estate in 25 countries and territories in the Asia Pacific region in categories such as Development, Architecture and Interior Design. Around 80 experts rigorously judge the entries, focusing on design, quality, service, innovation, originality and commitment to sustainability.

Scope of work
Concept planning, basic planning, basic design, implementation design, design supervision

Property Information,
Gurney Food Hall
Opening date: 15 October 2020
Location: 4th Floor Gurney Plaza, Gurney Drive, 10250 George Town, Penang Malaysia
Structure: 4 floors above ground (4th floor)