You might be familiar with the Japanese culture of capsule hotels, just think of the recently demolished Nakagin Capsule Tower, an iconic piece of architecture from 1972 once located in the luxury shopping district of Ginza.
Most recently, a new type of capsule, or better, a pod, has sparked conversation on both YouTube and TikTok, where influencers first started reporting their experiences. Very quickly, design magazines have picked up on “giraffenap”, the sleeping pod.
Different from capsule hotels, this special pod is not meant to be used at nighttime. The creators advisenot taking a nap after 3 pm as it can interfere with nighttime sleep. Instead, the pod is designed for a refreshing 20-minute power nap at midday.
By a combination of the Japanese eye for detail and design technology, each giraffenap standing sleeping pod consists of cushioned parts that support the head, buttocks, shins, and soles. By targeting these four points, users can enter a nap state without compromising relaxation and posture.
The pods also come in two styles to best support different surroundings: Spacia, with a sleek and futuristic design; and Forest, with a Japanese aesthetic of lattice-style woodwork. Both are equipped with dimming lights, ventilation, and power outlets to charge devices while napping.
As companies increasingly focus on employee wellbeing, we believe this is an interesting solution to implement in offices. It’s recommended to have a safe space where people can take a brief rest when needed, by recharging creative batteries and without compromising nighttime sleep.
An auditory interior called “Synclee” was successfully completed through the joint development of three companies: the media lab “Laatry”; the brand “LinNe,” created by the collaboration of “Nanjo Kobo” (Nanjo Workshop) known for producing Kyoto Buddhist bells (“orin”); and “Bench Work Tatenui,” a company with expertise in Kyoto woodwork techniques.
Driven by Laatry’s concept of “transmitting and harmonizing” and the combination of “traditional techniques and the workshop’s unique materials”, the sound produced by “LinNe” aims to harmonize with modern lifestyles, encouraging people to enjoy music freely. The result of this collaboration is “CYCLEE,” which has already been showcased in various environments such as galleries, museums, hotels, temples, and public spaces.
“Synclee,” derived from this sound installation artwork, is designed and crafted by an atelier with expertise in Kyoto woodwork techniques. This made the product gain attention both domestically and internationally for it seamlessly fits into any space.
Likewise, GARDE has brought various collaborations to life in its previous space design projects. Harmony in design, varying from classical to modern spaces, is crucial, and the choice of “appropriate design” for audio equipment is sought after in this case.
In this regard, Synclee’s aesthetics harmonize effortlessly regardless of Japanese or Western, classical or modern influences. This product, which places emphasis on the harmony of sound quality and form, is therefore to be considered a rare and exceptional creation.
Furthermore, integrating the latest audio equipment into a traditional Japanese room poses challenges, making Synclee an outstanding product. Its digital yet analog operability, its collaboration with a workshop specializing in the important Buddhist instrument “orin,” and other aspects make it an endlessly fascinating creation.
OpenFashion, Inc. has announced the results of its design contest with the theme of “Attire for Countdown Parties in the Metaverse.”
The three selected designs will be released as avatar-wearable items on the metaverse platform “ZEPETO” by the AI-powered fashion brand “accelerando.Ai.”
COCO WARP, the metaverse space produced by GARDE, allows users to control a similarly future-themed avatar. It is made for activities like art appreciation, audio-visual experiences, music, and virtual conferences. In this virtual space, you can enjoy creations that incorporate designs and functionalities that would not be possible in the physical world.
The metaverse, with its acceptance of diversity, is becoming an integral part of our culture and lifestyle. It is transcending the virtual realm, blurring the lines between “virtual” and “real.” A future in which we increasingly utilize this new space is coming.
For further information, please visit the following link.
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000075.000012284.html
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.
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.
Under the condition of a low ceiling height, making it challenging to incorporate large lighting and three-dimensional designs, a ceiling mirror was introduced to generate a sense of depth and three-dimensionality. To create an eye-catching design, suspended lighting with randomly varied lengths of reflection was utilized. The lighting incorporates a mix of gold and silver to prevent a monotonous appearance. The outcome is a three-dimensional Pop-Up space exuding a feminine delicacy and sparkle.
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.
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.
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.