Project

粤海天地 (Yue Hai Tian Di), situated in the bustling Guangzhou CBD: Zhujiang New Town, amidst towering skyscrapers, is an expansive commercial complex comprising eight buildings and OutMall, enveloped by lush greenery. It stands as the newest addition to the Teemall　commercial facility brand, aiming to provide visitors with a haven where they can unwind and indulge in luxurious experiences.

GARDE has taken the lead in various aspects of the project, including interior design, graphic design, concept development, design supervision, and more.

Design Goal: HARMONY

By seamlessly blending the elements of “people” and “nature,” the architectural and interior designs converge to craft a serene forest oasis within the commercial complex—a tranquil space where visitors can unwind and rejuvenate in utmost comfort.

Design Concept: NATURE

The architectural design draws inspiration from the iconic Ayers Rock, renowned for its colossal monolithic structure. Embracing the essence of nature, the design concept revolves around the three elemental forces of “earth, wood, and water.” These elements infuse the rest areas, enveloping customers in a natural ambiance as they partake in shopping and leisure pursuits, providing a serene retreat amidst the bustling commercial environment.

Each of the shapes, rhythms, and diversity of the design elements are composed to express various landscapes and scenes of nature, bringing vitality and diversity to a quiet and sophisticated commercial facility.

Designer’s Message

Through the seamless integration of architectural and interior design elements, we have curated a dynamic and aesthetically pleasing environment that embodies a cohesive facility. Our aim is for visitors to encounter the striking presence of the rock-inspired exterior design, evoking a sense of awe-inspiring volume. Furthermore, with the addition of captivating lighting effects during nighttime, we enhance the spatial presentation, offering visitors an even more immersive and creatively enriched experience.

Designer’s Profile

Yu Ohata
Design Division, Design Department, Chief Designer

With extensive experience in designing and overseeing large-scale commercial projects in China, he has made significant contributions to the field. Having transitioned to the Hong Kong office and the Asia Pacific Division, he has played a pivotal role in diverse projects spanning conceptual design to supervision. Notable endeavors include the renovation of the Grand Shopping Center in Harbin, China, the environmental design of PARKSON Department Store in Malaysia, and food and beverage design initiatives. His expertise and dedication continue to shape innovative and impactful design solutions across various regions.

Facility Information

Project Name: 粤海天地 (Yue Hai Tian Di)
Project owner: Guangdong Yuehai Land Holdings Limited.
Owner Design Management Team：杨冰、李文丹、黄骏豪、梁炜麟
Project Location: No.21 Zhujiang West Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, China
Design area (commercial): 30,000㎡

You can also find more information about GARDE’s past projects here.

THE APOLLO, a modern Greek restaurant from Sydney, Australia, created by Jonathan Barthelmess and Sam Christie, opened in Ginza in 2016. Eight years after its opening, the restaurant continues to be very popular.

GARDE was responsible for the interior design and construction at the time of opening and is currently involved in the maintenance and renovation of the restaurant.

The interior features large glass windows and a skeleton ceiling, creating an open and spacious impression.

The interior, with its attention to detail, including marble countertops, arm lighting, and warm wood furniture, is consistent with the head office in Sydney, creating a chic and cool appearance.

Healthy Greek cuisine is prepared with fresh ingredients, olive oil, vegetables, and seafood. At THE APOLLO, guests can enjoy Greek cuisine with a twist, where tradition is blended with a beautifully modernized menu.

■THE APOLLO
HP: http://theapollo.jp/
Address: 11F, TOKYU PLAZA GINZA, 5-2-1, Ginza, Chuo-ku Tokyo

Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, a global leader in digital reality solutions that integrate sensors, software, and autonomous control technologies, is dedicated to advancing the world towards a sustainable future.

GARDE is honored to oversee the interior design, graphic design, construction management, and furniture selection for the renovation of Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence’s Tokyo office.

Feature Wall Reflecting the Brand Identity

In the reception area, the first space to greet guests, a feature wall has been crafted to immerse visitors in the corporate brand experience. Drawing inspiration from Hexagon’s diverse range of services in the industrial sector, the feature wall combines perforated metal panels, ribbed wood stained in corporate colors, and specially textured plastering.

Creating a Comfortable and Flexible Workplace

In response to the evolving work dynamics post-COVID-19, we transitioned from fixed seating to Activity Based Working (ABW) at new workplace. ABW empowers employees to choose their work time and location based on their tasks and preferences, fostering flexibility and productivity.

Our goal was to rejuvenate internal communication and productivity by establishing a hybrid workplace conducive to diverse activities. To achieve this, we designed collaboration spaces, solo workstations, a café, and a pantry within the workplace area, forming a dynamic “new communication space.”

Furthermore, we enhanced the ambiance with walls adorned in graphic sheets featuring corporate colors and custom wallpapers inspired by the corporate logo. These elements not only reflect client’s brand identity but also contribute to creating an inspiring and cohesive work environment.

Selecting Environmentally Friendly Materials

In line with the client’s commitment to sustainability, our office design integrates environmentally friendly materials throughout. This includes pendant lighting crafted from recycled and natural wood, 100% recyclable carpeting, and PVC tiles sourced from recycled flooring materials, emphasizing our dedication to minimizing environmental impact.

To further enhance the workspace, greenery has been strategically incorporated. Not only does this add a touch of nature to the office environment, but it also promotes relaxation, reduces eye strain, and boosts productivity. By bringing elements of the outdoors indoors, we aim to create a workspace that not only supports employee well-being but also fosters a deeper connection to nature.

■Designer Profile
Nobuyuki Ueno
International Design Division, Office Department, Chief Designer
Joined GARDE after working for a domestic design firm, where he was involved in a diverse array of interior design projects, including offices, hotels, and commercial facilities. He also gained experience in interior design at an Australian design firm. He consistently strives to propose innovative activities and values, always approaching his work with a global perspective.

■Scope of work
Interior Design, Graphic Design, Construction Supervision, Furniture Selection

■Property Information
Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence Office Design
Completion and Handover Date: 2023/ 10
Floor Area: 1026㎡

■About Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence
Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence provides data-driven solutions from design to engineering, engineering to metrology to support customers in manufacturing even smarter products.
HP：https://h-mi.jp/lp-company/

Image Credit: Kenji MASUNAGA

Louis Poulsen is a Danish lighting brand with a rich history, founded in 1874.

The brand has operated a contract showroom, but the opening of the world’s first company-operated flagship store, “Louis Poulsen Tokyo,” in Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, is garnering attention as a space accessible to a broader range of customers.

As part of the store’s transformation into a flagship establishment, GARDE was entrusted with local architecture, project management, and construction.

Taking inspiration from traditional design, materials, and coloring, the store embodies the new brand identity of Louis Poulsen, revamped in January 2023. Adorning the exterior wall near the entrance is the newly installed logo, representing the initials “LP” for Louis Poulsen. Additionally, the three-shade lamp, one of the brand’s most iconic and innovative designs, is elegantly showcased.

Immerse yourself in this enchanting new store and indulge in the high-end lighting crafted with passionate craftsmanship, high-quality materials, and innovative design.

To explore more about the Louis Poulsen Tokyo Store, please visit the following link.
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000021.000061855.html

Louis Poulsen Tokyo Store
Address: AY Bldg. 1F & 2F, 3-2-2 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Business hours: 11:00-19:00, open year-round

Event website: https://www.louispoulsen.com/ja-jp/private/about-us/tokyo-store
Official website: https://www.louispoulsen.com

Image Credit: Louis Poulsen

Yanji Department Store, the area’s top revenue earner and one of Yanji City’s most prestigious department stores, has initiated a floor-by-floor renovation project. Following the 4F men’s floor discussed in the previous article, we will now introduce the 2F ladies’ fashion floor. GARDE was responsible for basic planning, basic design, implementation design, design supervision, and lighting design.

Click here to read an article of 4F men’s floor renovation project.

Design Concept and Key Words for 2F Ladies’ Fashion Floor

The concept behind the renovation of the 2F ladies’ floor of the Yanji Department Store is “Luxury from bold & delicate.”
The three keywords “Simple, Elegant, and Playful” are essential to express this concept. The entire floor is composed of simple, elegant, feminine and soft forms. We designed the floor with the expectation that it will be a fashion floor supported by the younger generation, by creating simple yet playful accents in shapes and colors, and by providing a mechanism that allows visitors to enjoy moving around the space.

Floor Highlights 1：Sparkling event spaces

On the ladies’ floor, the limited-time Pop-Up event space plays an important role in encouraging visitor circulation. Therefore, the design was created with an eye toward showcasing the area as a glamorous and appealing area on the floor.

The ceilings of the multiple Pop-Up spaces are all designed differently to give each a different spatial concept and light effect. By creating change within a simple space, we designed it so that visitors can enjoy every aspect of the floor without getting bored.

Floor Highlights 2：Charming Lingerie Area

The lingerie area has garnered positive feedback from both clients and tenants. The slit design was implemented to evoke a sense of semi-private space for each tenant while fostering a unified atmosphere throughout the entire area. The hexagonal shape of the pipes in the slit area increases the number of surfaces, and the play of light reflection creates the impression of sparkling and twinkling lights.

To further enhance the spatial ambiance, a wall and fitting room were incorporated in the middle section. This adjustment made the lingerie area more prominent on the second floor, successfully meeting the client’s request to maximize the utilization of dead space.

Consequently, a lingerie area that exudes a warm and feminine aesthetic was successfully created.

Designer’s message：After Completion of the Entire Renovation…

The commercial market continues to display a trend of channel diversification, notably with online consumption surpassing offline consumption. Conversely, there is a counter-trend towards online fatigue, leading to a rediscovery of the pleasures associated with offline consumption. Offline experiences encompass not only buying but also understanding, conversing, and physically interacting with products, offering a diverse range of encounters. Indoor design plays a crucial role in enhancing these experiences, transforming them into enduring memories, and prompting customers to revisit the space.

Yanji Department Store is committed to ongoing transformation, aspiring to become an even more cherished facility. We anticipate that the local community will follow its evolution with interest and support.

Designer Profile

Akihisa Wakayama
Design Division, Large-scale Facility Design Department, Chief Designer

After working on the design of large-scale commercial facilities at a domestic design firm, he joined Garde in 2021.While designing mainly large commercial facilities such as department stores, he has also worked on many specialty stores. He is currently working on a wide range of projects mainly in Asia.

Property Information

Name: Yanji Department Store 2F Ladies’ Fashion Floor
Official Opening: August 18th, 2023
Location: No.608 Guangming Street, Yanji City, Jilin Province
Design Area: 7600㎡

You can also find more information about GARDE’s past projects here.