Project

Nanchang is a city undergoing rapid transformation fueled by economic growth. While innovative infrastructure and commercial facilities are being developed, the city remains dedicated to preserving its traditional culture and arts, making it a prime location for evolving into a more prosperous urban hub.

GARDE embraced the challenge of designing a space that symbolizes Nanchang’s promising future by overseeing the interior design and coordination of the entire “Nanchang JOY CITY” building—a new commercial facility slated for completion in May 2025.

The Nanchang JOY CITY project was led by Chief Designer Yu Ohata, who has an extensive portfolio of commercial facilities both within China and internationally. Having previously designed Suzhou JOY BREEZE, this marks his second comprehensive interior design project for a JOY CITY complex.

The Overall Project Concept: Space Design Connecting Nanchang with ‘Clouds’ and ‘Hope’

We had the opportunity to speak with Ohata about his design vision and the challenges he faced in bringing Nanchang JOY CITY to life.

The overarching concept of the project is “Spatial Design Connecting Nanchang with ‘Clouds’ and ‘Hope’.” Chief Designer Yu Ohata explains: “Nanchang JOY CITY is a commercial facility that delves deeply into the unique characteristics of the Nanchang area, aiming to maximize its appeal and share it with a wide audience. Nanchang is an inland city in China, currently in a developmental phase. It boasts a rich history and is renowned as a national scenic spot, notably for the Tengwang Pavilion, one of the three great towers of Jiangnan. The design concept draws inspiration from the phrase ‘Qingyun no Kokorozashi’ (‘志在青雲’) in the preface to ‘Tengwang Pavilion’ by Wang Bo, a prominent poet of the Tang Dynasty. This phrase embodies the spirit of ‘possessing virtue, maintaining high aspirations, and enriching society and the world,’ which forms the core narrative of the project.

The project’s theme is ‘Laputa.’ We developed a grand spatial design symbolized by clouds, aiming to create an ‘ideal place’ where people can gather, relax, and enjoy. For instance, we hope that visitors who initially come to Nanchang JOY CITY as a community space will find it becoming their favorite place over time, and eventually a place they wish to visit with loved ones. Additionally, we meticulously planned the flow lines within the expansive mall, conducting numerous simulations and analyses to ensure a comfortable environment for visitors.

It’s crucial for malls to attract interest in stores on different floors and across corridors.
Therefore, we paid special attention to eliminating blind spots, ensuring that stores are visible from various vantage points. This project aimed to become a new symbol of revitalization in the region, especially during the challenging economic conditions in China following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.　We anticipate that Nanchang JOY CITY will become a beloved landmark, bringing new vitality to the area.”

Design Concept: Crafting an Enchanting Space with the Theme of “Clouds”

Chief Designer Yu Ohata elaborates on the distinctive designs symbolizing the project’s theme, “Laputa”:
“We assigned clear characteristics to each atrium and entrance, ensuring each holds a unique identity. In expansive malls, such design variations assist visitors in orienting themselves. Moreover, the consistent incorporation of cloud motifs throughout the facility, characterized by soft forms and textures, creates a soothing environment where visitors can feel at ease simply by walking through.

JOY CITY is a shopping mall brand with a nationwide presence in China. Initially, the focus was heavily on design, often overlooking costs. In recent years, however, there has been a shift towards design standardization to achieve cost control, aiming to blend unified brand designs with distinctive features unique to each facility. This ‘design standardization’ has been applied in the latest facilities in Sanya, Xiamen, and Nanchang. Balancing ‘uniformity and uniqueness within a single concept’ presented challenges, but we embraced them.

We hope that the thoughtfully considered design of Nanchang JOY CITY resonates as a special experience for visitors, establishing it as a regional landmark. Additionally, we aspire for this facility to become a successful example of a JOY CITY mall, achieving both design integrity and cost efficiency.”

Message from Designer Yu Ohata: Creating Cherished Spaces

“Our design aspirations extend beyond mere architecture. We aim to create spaces that serve as sanctuaries for the local community, where visitors can refresh themselves away from daily routines. In the post-pandemic era, as people increasingly seek comfortable environments, Nanchang JOY CITY was designed to be a memorable presence that aligns with the community. We meticulously attended to every detail to ensure that time spent here brings relaxation and vitality.As designers, we bear the responsibility to continually evolve in response to changing times and regional characteristics. Through projects like JOY CITY, we are committed to creating spaces that enrich people’s lives.”

Lead Designer

Yu Ohata
Chief Designer, Design Division
After extensive involvement in the design and on-site supervision of large-scale commercial facilities in China, Yu Ohata joined the Hong Kong office and the Asia-Pacific Division. His portfolio includes environmental design for major Chinese commercial complexes like Joy City, Malaysia’s PARKSON department stores, and Yuehai Tiandi, the latest commercial facility brand of Tianhe City. He has contributed to projects ranging from conceptual design to design supervision. Since returning to the Tokyo headquarters in 2021, he continues to focus primarily on Chinese projects.

Facility Overview

Name: Nanchang JOY CITY
Location: Chaoyang New Town, Xihu District, Nanchang City; north of Yunjin Road, west of Fusheng Road, south of Jinhwan Road
Scheduled Completion: May 2025
Developer: Joy City Property (大悦城控股)

GARDE Design Magazine provides project portfolio, trends in architecture, design, and art, and event information.
The project portfolio and the latest information on GARDE are now available on our official website.
>Click here to visit our project portfolio.
>Click here for the latest information on GARDE

Located within a high-rise building in Yurakucho, overlooking Ginza—a special district where tradition and innovation coexist—this office space offers a unique presence. The area is characterized by the elegant Namiki-dori lined with luxury brands, historical department stores, modern commercial facilities, and seasonal landscapes that captivate visitors.

For this project, GARDE was responsible for developing the new design concept, schematic planning, basic design, and design supervision for the PLACE171 office space, which was originally designed by GARDE in 2018.

Reception Area Welcoming Guests with 16 Art Objects

The reception area serves as a crucial space that leaves the first impression on visitors. Here, a total of 16 art objects warmly greet guests. Evoking the atmosphere of a speakeasy, the centerpiece of the space is a chandelier suspended from the ceiling paired with a vintage black telephone, creating a nostalgic ambiance that defines the entire area.

Additionally, the contrast between design elements and lighting creates a dynamic visual experience, naturally guiding visitors further into the space.

Chic and Modern Lounge Spaces

The lounge spaces feature walls that retain the texture of concrete, creating an industrial atmosphere. A sleek bar counter designed with smooth curves and a black base, along with heavy marble-style tables and black chairs, adds a sense of luxury to the space. At the same time, the design accommodates a wide range of scenarios, from casual conversations to formal business interactions.

Additionally, LED line lights installed on the ceiling and walls can be illuminated to create an elegant ambiance with red or blue artificial lighting, offering a distinct atmosphere from the daytime setting. This transformative lighting is expected to inspire new opportunities for communication.

A Fireplace that Brings Warmth and Comfort

The centerpiece of the lounge space is the centrally placed fireplace, which enhances the overall ambiance. Its sleek, black-based design seamlessly complements the chic atmosphere of the space, adding not only aesthetic beauty but also a calming, relaxing effect. This creates a serene environment where visitors can pause and unwind.

The fireplace achieves the visual effect of real flames without using fire, instead utilizing water vapor illuminated by LED lights. This innovative feature allows it to be used year-round, not just during winter, and contributes to maintaining indoor humidity, enhancing comfort throughout all seasons.

A New Office Designed to Foster Community

Representative Mr. Yamamoto and business partner Mr. Yoshikawa of Dual Line shared their vision for the new office as a space where new connections and communities can flourish.

“Since the COVID-19 pandemic, remote communication has become the norm. However, we’ve come to truly appreciate the value of meeting people directly, both inside and outside the company, and the meaningful relationships that arise from those interactions. In this new office, we welcome everyone with a striking entrance and offer a lounge space where conversations unfold while enjoying the sights and sounds of the fireplace. GARDE has designed a space that leaves such a strong impression, it makes people want to return. We look forward to meeting everyone here at the office.”

Their vision highlights the importance of creating an inviting and memorable environment to strengthen both professional and personal connections.

Designer’s Comment

“For this new design, we aimed to create a space that balances functionality with sophistication, allure, and creativity. To ensure the office could adapt its ambiance flexibly according to different occasions, we paid particular attention to the lighting plan, materials, and furniture design. By crafting a design that allows the atmosphere to shift for each scene, we created a space that is not only practical but also offers an emotionally engaging experience.

The ceilings and floors were brought to life with the help of a specialized team, using unique coatings to achieve unparalleled artistry in color and texture.I hope this newly designed office becomes a place that connects people and fosters new encounters and possibilities.”
This comment underscores the thoughtful approach to creating a space that is both functional and inspiring, catering to a variety of needs and experiences.

Designer Profile

Shinichiro Misawa
After graduating from an art university, Shinichiro Misawa joined the Japanese branch of the largest luxury conglomerate in France. Over the course of more than 25 years, he gained extensive experience in spatial design and production for four brands within the group. He later served as the trade marketing manager for a French cosmetics brand before being appointed as the creative director for a domestic fashion brand.

Misawa’s expertise lies in designing and producing spaces, advertisements, and branding strategies for a diverse range of products—from low-cost goods priced in the hundreds of yen to high-end jewelry worth tens of millions of yen.

Since joining GARDE, he has been contributing as the Marketing and PR Director, providing branding and creative solutions not only for the company but also for its clients. His comprehensive approach and wealth of experience continue to deliver innovative and impactful results.

Facility Overview

Name: PLACE171
Location: 15th Floor, Yurakucho Denki Building South Wing, 1-7-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Completion Date: November 2024
Developer: Due Diligence & Deals Co.

GARDE Design Magazine provides project portfolio, trends in architecture, design, and art, and event information.
The project portfolio and the latest information on GARDE are now available on our official website.
>Click here to visit our project portfolio.
>Click here for the latest information on GARDE

Rituals is a well-being lifestyle brand that seeks to transform everyday routines into richer, more meaningful moments. The long-anticipated first store in Japan, Rituals Aoyama Store, opened on Thursday, September 19, 2024

GARDE was honored to oversee the local architecture and construction for this project.

Each Rituals store is uniquely designed to reflect its location, and the Aoyama store exemplifies this with its blend of the brand’s DNA and refined Japanese aesthetics.

The store’s façade features hand-painted patterns of Asian flowers and birds, drawn from Rituals’ “Amsterdam Collection,” which was created in collaboration with the National Museum of Fine Arts, Amsterdam, to celebrate a special partnership.

For further information about store, please visit the following link:
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000005.000147627.html

Rituals Aoyama Store

Address: KY Building, 5-6-5 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062
Business hours: 11:00 – 20:00
TEL: 03-5468-1701

About Rituals

Rituals is dedicated to continuously improving the social and environmental impact of the beauty and luxury industry. As a leader in the integration of body, bath, and home care under one brand, Rituals offers a lifestyle that transforms daily routines into more meaningful moments. Inspired by ancient traditions, each product offers a relaxing experience. With a wide range of body, bath, and home collections, Rituals invites consumers into a world of well-being and enrichment. The brand aims to evolve to natural ingredient formulations and packaging made from refillable, recyclable, or recycled materials.

Official Online Shop: https://www.rituals.jp
Rituals Brand Book: https://qr.paps.jp/FUJJn
Official Instagram Account: @ritualscosmeticsjp
https://www.instagram.com/ritualscosmeticsjp/

GARDE Design Magazine provides project portfolio, trends in architecture, design, and art, and event information.
The project portfolio and the latest information on GARDE are now available on our official website.

>Click here to visit our project portfolio.
>Click here for the latest information on GARDE

The Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store is scheduled to undergo a grand reopening in the summer of 2025. Seibu Ikebukuro, known for always being at the forefront of trends, will introduce a new design with a wide range of products in both the women’s and men’s categories under the theme of “INCLUSION,” reflecting the diverse and flexible nature of the modern era.

The store will depart from the traditional department store format, where women’s and men’s floors are separated, to create a free, open, and unified space. This redesign will allow various customers, including friends, couples, and families, to enjoy shopping together seamlessly.

GARDE is responsible for the concept design, including both interior and exterior elements, for this complete renovation project. The entire Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store, along with each individual floor, will be designed with the architectural concept of “Maison” (“House” in French), creating spaces that embody three key elements: “class,” “sophistication,” and “art.”

For more information on the reopening, please visit the following link:
https://www.sogo-seibu.co.jp/pdf/20240610_01.pdf

Facility Overview

Name: Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store
Location: 1-28-1 Minami Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
Scheduled Opening: In stages from January 2025
Sales Floor Area: Approximately 48,000 m²
Number of Stores: Approximately 380 stores planned

Upcoming Schedule

B1, B2, 3F (Basement deli section and cosmetics): Target January 2025
1F, 2F, 4F, 5F, 6F (Fragrances, jewelry, watches, and luxury items): Spring 2025
7F, 8F (Fashion, miscellaneous goods, event space, and art salon): Summer to Autumn 2025

Ogikubo is a lively area with large commercial facilities and eight shopping streets in front of the station, offering a wide variety of items from fashion to gourmet food. Located a four-minute walk from Ogikubo Station, which is directly connected to the city center by four train lines, CREVIA Ogikubo was constructed in March 2024. The development aims to accommodate a variety of lifestyles in this unique location where the bustle of the station front meets the tranquility of a residential area.

GARDE oversaw the concept design, schematic design, design development, FF&E coordination, and art coordination of the common space, focusing on the harmony between the present and the past.

Design Concept: ‘Ogikubo Modern’

Ogikubo is a town nurtured by the accumulation of history and the creation of new culture. The area around Ogikubo Station, now 130 years old, retains an atmosphere that has remained unchanged from the past while incorporating new elements according to trends, the location, and the residents. This coexistence of nostalgia and newness has shaped Ogikubo into what it is today.

Many cultural figures, such as Osamu Dazai and Akiko Yosano, moved to this area, which was once called “Kamakura in the west and Ogikubo in the east” as a vacation spot in the suburbs of Tokyo. Today, it is still known as a high-class residential area with mansions.

These two contrasting aspects—the bustling city and the tranquil mansions—are expressed in the design concept known as “Ogikubo Modern.”

Design Highlight #1: Windbreak Room

The windbreak room features a continuous floor and ceiling finish extending from the building’s approach, creating a sense of unity. Upon passing through the automatic door, wall-mounted artwork imparts a sense of class. The symmetrical design of the mail corner allows for the integration of design elements that would typically be concealed by functionality.

Design Highlight #2: Lounge Space

The common space leading from the entrance is designed as a lounge area where you can spend your time leisurely, whether talking with friends or reading a book by yourself. Stepping into the lounge area, you can enjoy the luxury of spending your time as you wish, away from the hustle and bustle of Ogikubo Station.

Among the common spaces, the towering columns immediately at the entrance are complemented by benches placed along them, blending seamlessly with the design. Additionally, incorporating the L-shaped design used in architectural gate structures creates a seamless transition, embodying both the essence of the city and the tranquility of a mansion.

The wall construction, resembling thinly cut granite arranged in rows, is designed as a unique art piece where massiveness and detail coexist. The asymmetry of the design creates a hotel-like space that is both formal and casual.

Design Highlight #3: Art

To incorporate a contrast between the city and residential elements, we proposed a metal artwork with glossy and flexible lines that complements the stone wall while providing a striking contrast. The L-shaped design motif mentioned above was used to create a series of regular shapes expressed both horizontally and vertically. These large formations symbolize the building’s organic strength and the residents’ leap toward the future.

Ogikubo has long supported people’s daily lives with its elegant townscape and abundant greenery passed down through generations, alongside a bustling shopping district and commercial area that have evolved with the times.

The common space of “CREVIA Ogikubo” reflects the town’s unique characteristics with a retro-modern atmosphere where the present and the past harmonize. We hope that residents will enjoy using this space, which offers a sense of dignity and luxury amidst nostalgia, in ways that suit their lifestyles.

Designer Profile

Anna Nishigori
Design Division, Large-scale Facility Design Department, Designer
After studying interior architecture in the UK and obtaining her MA, Anna Nishigori joined GARDE in 2017. She was involved in the concept planning, schematic design, and construction documentation for the Kyoto Candeo Hotel and a new hotel in Osaka. Utilizing the interior architecture techniques she learned in the UK, she has been involved in various projects both in Japan and overseas, with a focus on hospitality design.

Facility Overview

Name: CREVIA Ogikubo
Location: 2-4-6, Amanuma, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
Completion Date: March 2024
Owner: ITOCHU Property Development Co.
CREVIA Ogikubo official website: https://www.itochu-sumai.com/ogikubo/

Previous work by GARDE can be found at the following link:
https://garde-intl.com/top.php?lang=en#