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Not Followers of Knowledge Created by Others: A Curriculum for Developing Innovators of Knowledge

Nestled in a quiet corner near the bustling Omotesando Crossing in Tokyo, the Graduate School of Social Design Studies stands as a modern architectural landmark. Established as a professional graduate school, it nurtures experts in three fields—Communication Design, Practical Education, and Social Design. Since its founding, the school has focused on adult learners, consistently providing education that integrates theory and practice to cultivate individuals capable of driving transformation within society and organizations.

Many of GARDE’s business initiatives are realized through contributions to social and business design, making education and talent development in this area particularly vital.

On this occasion, we spoke with Professor Ryuji Kawayama, Provost and Dean of the Graduate School of Practical Education, who also guided us through the campus.

In the next section, we will introduce the distinctive approach to Recurrent Education offered by the Graduate School of Social Design Studies.

Professor Ryuji Kawayama, Provost and Dean of the Graduate School of Practical Education, Graduate School of Social Design Studies

Recurrent Education refers to lifelong learning that continues even after completing formal schooling. At this graduate school, students not only study “theory,” as one would at a typical business school, but also pursue research themes through “practice,” similar to seminar activities commonly conducted in graduate programs. In addition, by linking learning with local communities, the program cultivates not mere “followers” who simply absorb the accumulated knowledge of predecessors, but “leaders and creators” who are able to generate new knowledge themselves.

Furthermore, the school is currently the only graduate institution in Japan where it is possible to earn a qualification as a Certified Social Educator (Shakai Kyōikus hi).

Through a diverse curriculum offered primarily online, students can learn alongside peers from across Japan—from Hokkaido to Okinawa—while also having the option to study offline at the Omotesando campus and other locations nationwide.

The degrees that can be earned include:

• Master of Social Design Studies (Professional)
• Master of Communication Design (Professional)
• Master of Practical Education (Professional)

Exterior Design and Campus Art, Watched Over by a Sacred Tree

Finally, we present images of the exterior design, the artworks placed throughout the campus, and the sacred tree on the grounds that stands as a symbolic presence.

A distinctive aesthetic that combines a minimalist exterior structure based on straight lines with a variety of organic elements.

Artworks are displayed in the common areas, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a contemporary art gallery.

A Campus Designed to Embrace the Symbolic Sacred Tree

The school buildings are arranged around the symbolic sacred tree, which sits in quiet dignity at the heart of the campus.

On Saturday, October 4, and Sunday, October 5, the Graduate School of Social Design Studies will host its Open Campus. In addition to a campus tour, visitors will have the opportunity to experience hybrid-style classes and join roundtable discussions with current students to get a firsthand sense of life at a graduate school for working professionals.

For more details, please visit the following links:
Graduate School of Social Design Studies Official Website: https://www.socialdesign.ac.jp/
Open Campus 2025: https://lp.socialdesign.ac.jp/opencampus_2025
GARDE Official Website: https://www.garde-intl.com/
GARDE Design Magazine: https://www.gardedesignmagazine.com/

In recent years, renowned luxury brands such as Hermès, GUCCI, and Tiffany have increasingly opened cafés and restaurants.
In this article, we explore why luxury brands are entering the F&B industry and what’s driving this movement.

Recent Trends Among Luxury Brands

Overseas, brands like FENDI and Armani have launched hotels, while in Japan, Bulgari Hotel Tokyo opened in 2023. These spaces allow guests to enjoy the brand’s worldview, offering a unique experience distinct from traditional luxury hotels and becoming aspirational destinations for consumers.
Today’s consumers are shifting from material consumption to experiential consumption—seeking intangible values like experiences, emotions, and empathy.
Following this hotel trend, cafés and restaurants have become essential venues where brands can express their identity through space and menu, allowing visitors to engage with the brand’s essence in a more familiar setting.

Expressing the Brand World Through All Five Senses

Luxury brand cafés and restaurants are meticulously designed to embody the brand’s aesthetic and worldview.
From interior design, tableware, and music to the cuisine itself, every detail reflects the brand’s unique philosophy.

For example, the world’s first café restaurant by a luxury brand located in Shinsaibashi, Osaka, features a serene design in line with the brand’s identity.
The second branch, in Tokyo’s Ginza district, is characterized by a fresh and vibrant design inspired by the building’s exterior, offering a different take on the brand experience.
At both locations, signature brand products are displayed at the entrance as part of the décor, while elements like napkin holders and latte art feature the brand’s iconic designs.
These thoughtful touches elevate the sense of luxury and reinforce the brand’s presence throughout the customer experience.

AMI PARIS also opened “LE CAFÉ AMI” as a limited-time pop-up on Omotesando.
The first floor served as a dine-in area where guests could enjoy the AMI PARIS brand world, while the second floor offered branded merchandise.
The space served not only as a café, but as a deeper brand experience, strengthening emotional connection with the brand.

If a Brand Café or Restaurant Catches Your Eye, Be Sure to Visit

Luxury-brand cafés, restaurants, and hotels provide an approachable way to experience a brand’s world.
While entering a high-end boutique may feel intimidating, these cafés and restaurants can offer a gentler entry point into the brand.
We hope these unique spaces inspire you to visit a physical store and enjoy the brand’s universe firsthand.

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

Nishijin-ori, a textile tradition passed down for over a thousand years in Kyoto’s Nishijin district, is renowned for its intricate craftsmanship and timeless beauty, with a history spanning more than 1,200 years. Internationally, this form of weaving—referred to broadly as “textile”—has gained attention in the field of spatial design, with prestigious brands such as Dior, Chanel, Hermès, and Cartier incorporating it into the interiors of their boutiques.

Innovative Applications of Nishijin-ori in Spatial Design

With its diverse techniques and intricate patterns, Nishijin-ori is now being reimagined as a contemporary interior fabric. For example, Watabun Co., Ltd., known for its expertise in obi weaving, has expanded its craftsmanship into the creation of interior textiles such as tapestries and art panels. Works like “Full Moon” and “Sand Ripples” skillfully incorporate the fukure-ori technique—one of Nishijin’s signature methods—bringing out a sense of depth, texture, and luster that transforms the fabric into an artistic centerpiece.

In addition, the brand KYOGO, developed by Kaji Orimono Co., Ltd., offers interior fabrics that blend traditional Nishijin weaving techniques with contemporary design. At its exhibition in ESPACE DENSAN, a Paris-based showroom in France, the brand showcased a wide range of products—including wallpapers, fabric panels, cushions, and shades—garnering high praise from international audiences.

Creating New Value Through Upcycling

Efforts to incorporate modern sensibilities into traditional materials and techniques are gaining attention—particularly through upcycling initiatives. One notable example is the collaboration between PLASTICITY, an upcycling brand that repurposes discarded vinyl umbrellas, Mori Hideshoku Co., Ltd. (a producer of Kiryu textiles), and creator Emi Arihisa. Together, they have developed and released a multi-shoulder case inspired by Kiryu-ori, reimagined through innovative redesign.

A Future Shaped by the Fusion of Tradition and Modernity

Nishijin-ori continues to evolve by merging time-honored craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibilities with contemporary design and technology, creating new forms of value.

One such example is Momono Hachian in Atami, located in the prestigious villa district of Kasuga-cho. Formerly an annex of a long-beloved ryokan, the 85-year-old building had been abandoned for five years before being restored and renovated into a curated hotel. In this revitalized space, Nishijin-ori fabrics designed by Jotaro Saito are used for the sofas and black salon chairs, achieving a refined balance between tradition and modern style.

However, due to a lack of successors in Japan, the overall kimono market has shrunk to one-fifth of its size over the past 30 years, and the market for high-end obi textiles—central to Nishijin-ori—has declined to just one-tenth. In response, more ateliers have begun embracing mechanization in a bid to preserve their craft.

We hope that the renewed attention on Nishijin-ori’s limitless potential will help convey its value and ensure its continued legacy for generations to come.

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

Timber architecture is once again gaining global attention for its potential to reduce environmental impact, promote sustainability, and drive innovation in design.

In this article, we explore the appeal and functionality of timber construction, while highlighting its future potential in Japan through concrete examples from both domestic and international projects.

Reducing Environmental Impact and Promoting Sustainability

Wood is a renewable resource that absorbs and stores carbon dioxide during its growth. Compared to materials such as steel or concrete, it requires significantly less energy to produce, leading to a substantial reduction in environmental impact over the entire building lifecycle. Additionally, because wood continues to store carbon even after it is used in construction, it is gaining attention as a valuable contributor to climate change mitigation.

Technological Innovation and Design Potential

Advancements in timber construction technology have made it possible to realize high-rise buildings and complex architectural designs. Notably, ¹CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber), ²prefabrication techniques, and hybrid structures that combine wood with other materials are expanding the possibilities of timber architecture.

Wood not only offers visual warmth but also excels in humidity control and insulation. As a result, timber buildings provide comfortable, healthy living environments, with expected benefits such as relaxation and stress reduction.

¹ CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber): Panels made by layering boards with their grain direction oriented perpendicularly.
² Prefabrication: A method in which building components are processed and assembled in advance, typically off-site in a factory setting.

Global Examples of Timber Architecture

Innovative timber architecture projects are also underway around the world. In Sydney, Australia, construction is in progress on Atlassian Central, a hybrid timber structure that will reach 182 meters—making it the tallest timber building in the world. The building combines timber with steel framing, achieving both reduced environmental impact and striking design.

In Germany, the Urbach Tower has garnered attention for its use of self-shaping timber, utilizing the natural shrinkage of wood during drying to create an innovative and dynamic form.

The Future of Timber Architecture in Japan

Japan, one of the world’s most forest-rich countries, has a long-standing tradition of timber construction. In recent years, the use of modern engineered wood materials like CLT, along with the integration of traditional joinery techniques and contemporary technologies, has continued to evolve.

Regulatory reforms, advancements in construction technology, and regional revitalization efforts are further expanding the possibilities for timber architecture across the country.

Notable Examples

• HULIC &New GINZA 8 (Tokyo)
  Located along Ginza’s central avenue, this commercial facility spans 12 floors above ground and one basement level, and is Japan’s first building to feature a 12-story timber frame structure. It incorporates the latest in timber construction technology, including Moen Wood columns and beams, as well as CLT-based seismic damping walls.
  [Source: takenaka.co.jp]
• Port Plus (Tokyo)
  An 11-story fire-resistant building constructed entirely from timber, Port Plus uses CLT for the structural components of walls, floors, and roofs. CLT is also utilized throughout the interior, including ceilings, staircases, and furniture. Developed as an in-house training and accommodation facility, it showcases new possibilities in timber architecture.
  [Source: clta.jp]

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