Project

Rituals, a European Wellbeing and Lifestyle Brand Launched in Japan for the First Time GARDE Participates in the Opening of the First Domestic “Rituals Aoyama Store”

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/

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GARDE Celebrates the Grand Re-Opening of Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store

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

GARDE for ‘CREVIA Ogikubo’ Offers a Retro-Modern Common Space Where the Present and the Past Harmonize

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#

GARDE For『粤海天地 (Yue Hai Tian Di)』 A High-Quality Commercial Experience in a Tranquil Space Concealed in the Heart of the City

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.

GARDE For “THE APOLLO” Modern Greek Cuisine from Sydney in a Chic Interior

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

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