Design Ambient

Design Ambient

Design Ambient featuring great design, architecture, fashion, graphics and innovation from across the globe.

 

Work at Nagasaki

Work at Nagasaki is a coworking office set on the tenth and eleventh floors of a building in the old city center of Nagasaki, Japan. The two floors cover 4,500 square meters and are joined by a grand staircase that also serves as an open seminar room during events. The tenth floor holds a reception area, an event space and an open office. The eleventh floor holds closed offices and a meeting room with a wide view. Local materials such as Isahaya stone and Sendan wood were used, and a steel counter of 5.5 meters was made with shipbuilding methods.

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Mangrove Garden

Mangrove Garden is an office interior for a global financial institution in Hong Kong. The project covers 54,000 square feet across three storeys. Each level has a central hub inspired by a mangrove garden, with tropical plants and structures that recall mangrove trees. Flexible seating around each hub supports teamwork and social interaction. Site-specific artworks by local artists encourage engagement. Repurposed furnishings and bio-based finishes were selected for responsible material use. The colour scheme reinterprets the signature brand red with a wider palette.

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Ferrying

Ferrying is a compound bookstore set on two floors and covering 1500 square meters. The layout follows the logic of a traditional water town block, where a river connects areas for books, goods and salons. Small bridges, village houses, miniature squares, octagonal pavilions, wooden boats and a pixelated Qilin figure shape the interior. Contemporary elements are added, such as parametric subway train lines, an augmented reality experience and a tea area. Simple local materials keep the construction budget low, including cement self-leveling, terrazzo, clay bricks and granite.

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Geneus DNA and GATTA

Geneus DNA and Gatta is a multifunctional retail interior that combines personalized genetic testing services with a cafe. The name Gatta comes from the four DNA bases A, C, G and T, symbolizing personalized health. The project occupies two adjacent units of 6 by 5 meters, totaling 60 square meters. One side offers genetic testing, while the other serves coffee. Stainless steel, transparent polycarbonate, curved lines and LED strip lighting create a futuristic look. The open layout guides visitors from science to comfort, making testing feel less intimidating.

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Embraced in Recycled Steel

Embraced in Recycled Steel is an office interior built with recycled steel supplied by Kyoei Steel. Angle steel, rebars, and flat bars are left exposed to emphasize material strength and texture. Structural elements that are usually concealed become aesthetic focal points. Barcode and QR code motifs extend across wall finishes and stair railings, linking the space to the company identity. Steel ceiling louvers hold seamless linear LED lighting that highlights the motifs. The interior shows the potential of repurposed materials in a contemporary workplace.

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Rinn Kyoto Miyagawasuji Hitotose Aki

Rinn Kyoto Miyagawasuji Hitotose Aki is a hotel interior located on Miyagawa-suji, a street in Kyoto that keeps a traditional streetscape. The design follows the strict local rules on building colors, shapes and styles. The lighting plan leads guests from dim light at the entrance to brighter rooms, and indirect lighting reveals the texture of the walls. Washi paper made with a local paper artist is used in several ways, including kakishibu treatment, koyori twisting and fukuro-bari layering. The aim is a calm and warm space for comfortable stays.

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