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.
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.
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.
GARDE attended the press event for Lladró Japan’s Autumn/Winter collection announcement, continuing its long-standing relationship with the brand. This season, Lladró showcased its 2024 Autumn/Winter collection at two of Japan’s premier design events: “DESIGNART TOKYO 2024” and “ELLE DECOR DESIGN WALK 2024.”
As a pioneer in porcelain art blending Spanish tradition with innovation, Lladró presented its new collection at COSENTINO CITY TOKYO under the theme “In & Out Space for Life: Interior & Exterior Decor from Spain.” A particular highlight was the limited-edition piece “You Choose One -150” by artist Javier Calleja, which captivated visitors with its playful characters such as “Boy,” “Devil Cat,” and “Angel Cat.” These unique creations bring a sense of whimsy through art. Other new pieces were also unveiled for the first time in Japan, showcasing Lladró’s exceptional craftsmanship and design, resonating deeply with attendees.
The event also featured an online conversation with Ms. Nieves, the Creative Director from Lladró’s headquarters in Valencia. Originally from Valencia, Spain, Ms. Nieves joined Lladró in 2019 and has since contributed to numerous creations. During the talk, she shared insights into her background and the inspirations behind her work, offering attendees a rare glimpse into the creative process. Her passion and deep affection for Spanish tradition provided a deeper understanding of Lladró’s pieces.
Following the event, guests enjoyed a special Spanish culinary experience, with tapas, paella, and wine served. This offered attendees not only a richer appreciation of the Lladró brand but also an enjoyable immersion into Spanish food culture.
―LLADRÓ―
A Spanish luxury porcelain art brand.
Since its founding in 1953, every Lladró piece has been meticulously crafted by hand at its workshop in Valencia. From design and modeling to carving, etching, and painting, a team of skilled artists and designers preserves the original techniques and craftsmanship, blending over 4,000 shades to transform porcelain into true works of art.
Lladró’s collections, including its special “High Porcelain” pieces, embody the pinnacle of artistry and are featured in prestigious art museums around the world. The brand also collaborates with renowned designers and contemporary artists to create modern art pieces, available in over 120 countries. Continuously evolving with the times, Lladró enriches lives by promoting a high-quality, sophisticated lifestyle.
Official WSebsite： https://www.lladro.com/
GARDE is celebrating its 40th anniversary by launching the “Metaverse Award for Regional Revitalization.” This award recognizes initiatives that contribute to the revitalization of local communities.
The award aims to support the growth of local economies and cultures by combining demand from local governments with the creative power of designers to promote regional attractions through metaverse technology. Creative ideas for regional revitalization will be accepted on the dedicated GARDE website starting November 1, 2024.
A New Stage of Local Revitalization
In recent years, local governments have faced numerous challenges, such as population decline, aging demographics, and shrinking local economies. Traditional approaches alone often fall short in addressing these issues, which is why new solutions leveraging digital technology—especially innovative technologies like the metaverse—are gaining traction. The metaverse allows local attractions to be showcased in virtual spaces, reaching a broader audience at a low cost.
Moreover, addressing local issues requires collaboration beyond local governments; it calls for the involvement of creative individuals with fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. Through this award, we believe local governments can gain new insights into solving challenges while benefiting from expertise in local branding and design perspectives. We aim to provide creators with opportunities to contribute to local regions by applying their creative talents, while also supporting the discovery and development of new talent.
Fusion of Local Revitalization and Metaverse
With the evolution of digital technology, the metaverse—a new virtual space—has attracted worldwide attention. The metaverse is more than a platform for entertainment and interaction; it holds the potential to create significant value for society, the economy, and regional communities. Regional revitalization faces numerous challenges, such as depopulation, stagnant local economies, and the preservation and promotion of traditional culture and natural resources. To address these issues, we must harness the power of digital technology to share local attractions globally and generate new value.
This project aims to leverage the metaverse platform to rediscover the appeal of rural areas in a digital space, creating new connections between suburban and urban areas—and even reaching audiences overseas. At GARDE, we aim to design spaces and experiences within the metaverse that embody the spirit of local regions, offering visitors an interactive and immersive experience. Through these experiences, we hope to inspire increased interest in rural areas and create new opportunities for in-person visits, allowing visitors to virtually engage with local culture, traditional crafts, and natural resources in a near-realistic way.
GARDE will explore the potential of metaverse technology by applying its extensive experience in luxury space design—gained mainly in urban centers—toward the revitalization of rural regions. This approach aims to offer a fresh perspective on metaverse projects, which currently report a 10% success rate, opening new avenues for regional revitalization. Our goal with this award is to drive innovation in regional revitalization by merging digital technology with creative ideas, contributing to solutions for local challenges. We are committed to supporting highly effective projects with potential collaborations with local governments.
●Call for Ideas●
The award invites ideas on a wide range of themes, including:
Tourism Development
Sports Promotion
Sales of Specialty Products
Promotion of Settlement
VR Work Experience
Other innovative ideas for regional revitalization
●Application Overview● Theme: Proposals on achieving “regional revitalization” using “metaverse technology.” Application Period: November 1, 2024 – April 30, 2025 Eligibility: Open to individuals or groups, with members high school age or older, residing in Japan as of November 1, 2024. All members of a group must meet these criteria, and joint applications require consent from all group members. Entry Limit: Each applicant (individual or group) may submit only one entry, either independently or in collaboration with a municipality. Application Requirements: Applicants must agree to the Rural Metaverse Award Application Guidelines when submitting. Award Structure: Grand Prize (1 winner): 3,000,000 yen Outstanding Performance (1 winner): 1,000,000 yen Local Government Prize (4 winners): 250,000 yen Judging will primarily take place privately within GARDE. The award ceremony details will be announced later.
●Schedule●
Application Period Begins: November 1, 2024
Application Deadline: April 30, 2025
Winners Announcement: May 15, 2025
Award Ceremony (tentative): Late May – Early June 2025
♦Comment from Representative♦
“In recent years, the rapid evolution of digital technology has enabled new experiences that blend the real and virtual worlds. The metaverse, among these advancements, holds immense potential to surpass the concept of virtual space and become a platform for social and economic activities. Particularly in regional development, the metaverse draws attention as a tool that transcends geographical boundaries, promotes local attractions domestically and internationally, and creates new value.
At GARDE, our aim is to support new community and business models by crafting spaces within the metaverse that are deeply connected to local communities. Drawing on years of experience in spatial design, we launched this project to explore how local culture, climate, and traditions can be expressed in the metaverse to generate fresh value. This project not only contributes to local community creation but also seeks to identify future creators. Through encounters with innovators capable of generating boundary-breaking ideas and designs, we aspire to unlock new possibilities for showcasing regional appeal and elevating local areas in the digital space.”
— Award Producer, Misawa
SThree Tokyo’s office design, led by GARDE, was completed two and a half years ago. In collaboration with SThree Tokyo, we are pleased to present this post-completion report as a joint article on the office design.
About SThree
SThree is a global recruitment firm specializing in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields, with 44 offices across 12 countries, starting with its first office in London.
The Tokyo office, which serves as the headquarters of its Japanese subsidiary, opened in 2012. In 2022, the year marking the company’s 10th anniversary, the office relocated to its current location. The new office provides a home-like environment where approximately 130 employees work.
Office Overview & Concept
SThree Tokyo’s office is located in a modern building next to the iconic Kabuki-za Theater, a symbol of the historic Ginza district. The office design thoughtfully embraces and respects the unique blend of historical and modern elements that define its surroundings, with a concept centered on fusing “traditional Japanese culture” with a cutting-edge, STEM-inspired design.
Subtle expressions of traditional Japanese culture were incorporated throughout, such as wall art depicting waves inspired by Katsushika Hokusai and accent walls featuring the Seigaiha (blue ocean waves) pattern. At the same time, design elements inspired by STEM, like neon lights and minimalist spotlights highlighting the brand logo at the entrance, add a modern, innovative touch.
To reflect SThree’s brand message of “Diversity & Inclusion,” the design also integrates “Western” influences, nodding to the company’s roots.
Introduction and Usage of Office Equipment
1. Adoption of Equipment Suited to the Working Style
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, SThree Tokyo has adopted a hybrid work style, blending in-office work with remote work from home. The office facilities have been designed not only as a functional workspace but also as a hub for communication, creating an environment where employees are motivated to come into the office.
For example, multiple areas have been created to suit different types of work and purposes, allowing employees to select their preferred workspace. This flexibility enhances work efficiency and supports various work styles.
2. Social Area with Diverse Uses
The social area, designed to reflect the company’s British roots, is equipped with a billiard table, pub bar, and poker table, creating a relaxed communication space. This area is not only used for internal gatherings but also serves as a venue for various events that invite clients and other participants.
For example, SThree hosts networking events for individuals who have changed jobs through the company, career events organized by client companies, engineer meetups, and other activities aimed at fostering a community for professionals working in the STEM field.
3. Highly Customizable Layout
Since the office was handed over, modifications have been made to enhance communication by removing partitions between individual desks and introducing popular height-adjustable desks. The layout is highly flexible and can be customized on a case-by-case basis, incorporating feedback from staff to improve both functionality and comfort in the workspace.
SThree Workers Share Their Experiences of Working in the Office
We interviewed several SThree employees to hear their thoughts and impressions about daily life in the office, offering insights into what it’s really like to work in this space.
Pierre Dobrzykowski
Affiliated with Progressive Recruitment
Joined the company in 2021
“I appreciate the flexibility of the Oval Office, as there are various desk options to suit different needs. When I want a change of atmosphere, I make use of the social area. The office is thoughtfully designed, with attention to small details like the convenient placement of power outlets throughout. Additionally, the social area naturally encourages conversations with others, providing a great opportunity to connect with colleagues I don’t typically work with.”
Celia Xu
Affiliated with Huxley
Joined the company in 2023
“I think one of the best aspects is the ability to change my seat based on the purpose of the day or my mood. For instance, I can choose a cubicle-style seat on days when I have many video conferences and need to focus, or opt for a more open desk when the whole team is in the office and we’re collaborating.
It’s also a great asset when conducting interviews for our own recruits, as we can showcase the company’s appeal by giving them a firsthand look at the office.
We once had a client company use our social area as a venue for an event they were hosting. I felt very proud when we received positive feedback from participants, saying they had a great time in such a wonderful space.”
Nao Kamiya
Affiliated with Real Life Sciences
Joined the company in 2021
“This year, the layout of my desk changed slightly, with the removal of partitions, making the space more open. We typically sit together as a team, and this change has really benefited our work by making communication much easier.
The multi-purpose social area is also very user-friendly, not just for internal events but for hosting external guests as well. I feel that it has lowered the barriers to planning and organizing events, making it much more convenient.”
Nimesh Hewawasam
Affiliated with Computer Futures
Joined the company in 2023
“The desk installed this year features a larger monitor compared to the other seats, and it’s frequently used because it’s incredibly user-friendly. Additionally, the height-adjustable desks allow me to stand while working, which helps me change up my routine and boost productivity.
The social area is also used for various non-work-related activities, such as regularly having lunch, or unwinding after a long week with colleagues during Friday’s after-work drinks.”
Office Space Drives Company Growth
Creating a workspace that is not only functional but also appealing to employees has a direct impact on job satisfaction, which in turn influences the company’s overall performance.
“Sales have increased since the office relocation,” says SThree Marketing Manager Ms. Horiuchi.
When the move was planned, employee input and ideas were gathered, and these were incorporated into the office design through collaboration with GARDE’s designers. This approach has helped align the company’s direction, and the enhanced communication within the improved office space has boosted individual productivity, leading to stronger business performance.
Above is an introduction to SThree Tokyo’s office space, where the fusion of STEM concepts and traditional Japanese culture is clearly visible. We look forward to witnessing their continued success in the years to come.
Employee image courtesy of SThree.
GARDE Design Magazine features our project portfolio along with the latest trends and events in architecture, design, and art.
For more information on our project portfolio and the latest updates, please visit our official website.
From October 18 to November 2, 2024, GARDE Gallery is hosting a solo exhibition by contemporary artist Tomomi Taoka, titled “COODE ’24: FRUiTS JUICE DRINKS (+ OLD SPICES).”
Held at the gallery inside GARDE’s headquarters, which is known for its numerous art and spatial design projects, we spoke with Taoka about her creative process and her connection to fashion culture, a major influence on her work.
We also interviewed the exhibition’s curator, art critic Mare Isakari, who shared his expectations for this show.
The Importance of a “Present” That Embraces the “Future” in Lasting Art
Curator Mare Isakari began by explaining that because paintings endure for generations, it is important for them to continuously “reborn” as times change. He expressed his hope that people would focus on the “contemporary” aesthetics reflected in Taoka’s works, and through this exhibition, he wishes to bring her art to a wider audience.
What is the Origin of the Unique Concept of “Creating Paintings Through Coordination”
When creating her works, Taoka draws inspiration from Harajuku street fashion, where even items with little standalone value can gain significance through coordination. She applies this same concept to her art, combining paintings with three-dimensional objects or repurposing old works, using unconventional methods that break away from the traditional norms of painting.
No matter how far she strays from the conventional, Taoka explains that just as “clothing remains clothing,” her work is “still a painting in the end.” By updating traditional values, she presents her art in a way that doesn’t require specialized knowledge to appreciate, allowing each individual to enjoy it through their own personal sense of beauty.
These works, which possess a unique charm precisely because they break free from conventional boundaries, are best experienced in person. We invite you to visit the gallery during the exhibition period and fully immerse yourself in the art.
For more information on the artist’s profile and the exhibited pieces, please click here.
Tomomi Taoka Solo Exhibition “COODE ’24 : FRUiTS JUICE DRINKS (+ OLD SPICES)”
Dates: October 18 (Fri.) – November 2 (Sat.), 2024 (Closed on Sundays and holidays)
Hours: 11:00 – 18:00
Venue: GARDE Gallery (NBF ALLIANCE Building 4F, 5-2-1 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
Admission: Free
URL: https://www.art-adf.jp/
GARDE Design Magazine features project showcases, trends in architecture, design, and art, as well as event information.
For project portfolios and the latest updates from GARDE, please visit our official website:
