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Canvas of PLANS & DRAWINGS
Where Aesthetics Become Atmosphere: GARDE’s Art of Spatial Alchemy
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Outsiders LA, Courtesy of GOCA by Garde
Project Spotlight: GOCA – A Bold Creative Leap into the Heart of New York's Art Scene
To mark its 40th anniversary, GARDE is turning a fresh creative page – not with a flagship store or a bold architectural statement, but with art. In a move as unexpected as it is inspired, the design powerhouse has opened its first gallery abroad: GOCA by GARDE, right in the beating heart of New York’s Chelsea district. Known for shaping some of the world’s most refined spaces, GARDE now shifts its gaze from interiors to ideas, creating a new home for Japanese and Asian artists to find a global audience.
Chelsea, once a scruffy stretch of warehouses, has grown into a world capital of contemporary art, where converted spaces now pulse with colour, concept, and critique. GOCA slips neatly into this eclectic mix – not just as another gallery, but as a cultural bridge, connecting East and West through a shared language of creativity.
For its debut, GOCA presents “KAN-SHA BOUQUETS!”, a solo exhibition by Yuta Okuda, one of the most promising figures in Japan’s Neo-Pop scene. His latest works, part of the Flowers series, are a visual tribute to gratitude – rich with movement, layered with emotion, and ablaze with vibrant colour. These aren’t quiet still-lifes; they’re electric meditations on joy and appreciation, wrapped in the artist’s signature blend of delicacy and daring.
GARDE’s affinity with emerging talent isn’t new. For over a decade, it has nurtured creative voices through its global design projects. With GOCA, that commitment finds a more permanent stage. Here, amidst the clatter of Chelsea’s ever-revolving art carousel, GARDE introduces something different: a space that speaks softly, yet purposefully, of tradition, innovation, and cultural cross-pollination.
This isn’t just a gallery. It’s GARDE, reimagined – designing not just the world we move through, but the ideas that move us.
Hotel Hankyu Gran Respire Osaka, Courtesy of Garde
Hotel Hankyu Gran Respire Osaka, Courtesy of Garde
Project Spotlight: Hotel Hankyu Gran Respire Osaka — A Tranquil Urban Oasis Rooted in Nature
In the heart of one of Japan’s most ambitious urban regeneration projects, Hotel Hankyu Gran Respire Osaka emerges as a serene haven where city and nature coalesce in perfect harmony. Located within the South Tower of Grand Green Osaka, this sophisticated hotel brings to life the vision of “Natural State” – a concept deeply rooted in tranquillity, organic textures, and the gentle rhythm of greenery.
Developed over six years as part of the vast Umekita redevelopment north of JR Osaka Station, the hotel reflects a new paradigm of urban living: “Osaka Midori Life” – an inspired fusion of greenery and innovation. Overlooking Umekita Park, one of the largest urban green spaces directly linked to a major transport hub, the hotel invites guests into an immersive retreat. Despite its metropolitan setting, it offers an atmosphere of quietude and calm, with nature at its core.
GARDE’s design embraces this spirit throughout. Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows frame verdant views, flooding interiors with natural light and creating a sense of effortless openness. Earth-toned materials, real timber features, and carefully curated lighting schemes – tailored to evoke different moods at morning and night – underscore the connection to the outdoors. From the lush, living façade at ground level to the soft textures and neutral palette of its interiors, the hotel embodies a subtle, sophisticated dialogue between built space and botanical beauty.
The journey unfolds across several carefully designed zones: the guest lounge on the 6th floor provides semi-private spaces for repose, while the exclusive 27th-floor club lounge delivers a moment of pure architectural theatre. As the elevator doors open, guests are met with an awe-inspiring view across the Osaka skyline – a scene enhanced by a suspended art installation that echoes the glitter of city lights and starlit skies. It’s an experience both grounding and uplifting.
With direct elevator access to Umekita Onsen Ren Wellbeing Park, one of Kansai’s largest wellness facilities, the hotel seamlessly integrates hospitality and holistic health. Whether guests seek restful restoration or energetic inspiration, the hotel’s name – Gran Respire – says it all: grandeur, rest, and renewal.
Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store, Courtesy of Garde
Project Spotlight: Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store Grand Re-Opening
In a bold reimagining of what the modern department store can be, GARDE has been entrusted with the entire concept design – both interior and exterior – of the Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store’s complete renovation. Scheduled for a grand reopening, the new vision marks a significant departure from the traditional format.
At the heart of this transformation is the theme of “Inclusion” – a forward-thinking concept that invites a new kind of retail experience. Moving away from the segmented structure of men’s and women’s floors, the new layout offers a fluid and open environment where friends, couples, and families can shop together, without boundaries.
GARDE’s design approach introduces the refined architectural concept of “Maison” (the French word for “house”), bringing to life a sophisticated yet welcoming ambience that echoes the comfort and elegance of a well-curated home. Each floor will embody a balance of class, sophistication, and art, creating a unified space that feels both elevated and inviting.
This project is a clear reflection of the company ethos – merging cultural insight, aesthetic excellence, and innovative thinking to reshape the way we live, work, and shop. As always, the aim is not only to respond to the moment but to anticipate the future, crafting spaces that resonate today and remain relevant tomorrow.
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