Oceano Headquarters in Foshan, China, by Lamo Design, exhibits innovative architectural design with its “China Jade” material application, strengthening brand identity and cultural confidence.
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Project Background: Embracing Oceano’s Vision
Oceano, a leading brand in high-end custom home solutions, envisioned a headquarters that reflects its innovative spirit and commitment to Chinese culture. Lamo Design was tasked with creating a powerful brand space, using Oceano’s industry-first “China Jade” product series as the primary design material. This strategic choice aimed to promote a new era of national cultural confidence while establishing a unique and impactful headquarters. The design adheres to the principle of addressing a specific strategic issue within each space. Lamo Design considered Oceano’s business development needs, particularly in attracting investors and welcoming guests. By showcasing the flexibility and diverse applications of “China Jade” in various settings, the design highlights the material’s quality and cultural depth, fostering brand identity and driving business growth. Oceano’s evolution from a “high-end ceramic tile customizer” to a provider of comprehensive spatial solutions reflects its commitment to innovation in material and technology. This growth demanded a clear brand voice in the headquarters’ design, which is precisely what Lamo Design sought to achieve. The project exemplifies architectural design’s potential to create spaces that are both functional and narratively rich. Oceano’s journey of growth and innovation, fueled by advancements in product and technology, necessitates a firm and consistent brand voice to navigate changes in the market. When external voices fluctuate, the significance of a stable core becomes paramount. Starting with the proposition of “high-end ceramic tile customization,” Oceano has broadened its horizons beyond traditional “tiles.” Through relentless material and technological advancements, a growing product range, and a keen aesthetic sense, Oceano now offers broader possibilities concerning spatial ambience and aesthetic evolution. Hence, the upgrade of Oceano’s headquarters needed to delve into the essence of the brand’s development, empowering both user experience and business growth. The collaboration between Oceano and Lamo Design centered around creating a headquarters that embodies enduring vitality. By aligning spatial logic with operational needs and the brand’s commercial trajectory, the design seamlessly integrates user experience with the brand’s growth path. This integration is achieved by imbuing the space with adaptability, ensuring its continued relevance and appeal. The result is a multi-faceted environment that blends social interaction, reception functionalities, and impactful product showcases. This integration of function and aesthetics is a hallmark of successful architectural design, ensuring that the space serves its intended purpose while also providing a memorable experience for its users.
A Dramatic Entrance: Setting the Stage for Oceano’s Story
Located in Foshan, a city known for its appreciation of design and lifestyle, Oceano’s headquarters benefits from a vibrant design landscape that fosters a pursuit of both quality and aesthetics. Lamo Design seized this opportunity to position the headquarters as a dynamic intersection of artistic expression and pragmatism, weaving a compelling narrative through the space. Given the site’s limitations, the design team employed innovative architectural design solutions to enhance the entrance area. Mirrored ceilings create an illusion of vertical expansion, transforming a potential constraint into a striking visual element that embodies Oceano’s forward-thinking vision. The narrative begins with a dramatic entrance that captures the essence of Oceano’s journey. Drawing inspiration from the extraction process of jade, a material deeply rooted in Chinese culture, the design incorporates rough stone textures to echo the transformative nature of raw materials. This concept aligns seamlessly with Oceano’s brand identity, emphasizing the evolution from raw potential to refined elegance. The juxtaposition of tradition and modernity, roughness and refinement, nature and artifice becomes part of the brand’s dialogue, enhancing the space’s narrative depth and cultural significance within the realm of architectural design. As the brand’s headquarters, the space needed to cater to a clientele primarily composed of distributors and designers. Striking a balance between a welcoming reception area and an impactful brand showcase was crucial. Lamo Design achieved this by incorporating distinct public spaces capable of hosting frequent interactive events. The entrance hall, as the first point of contact, was designed as an immersive space that immediately draws visitors into the Oceano narrative. The designers incorporated ample grey space to serve as a spiritual haven, conveying a sense of positive energy and reinforcing Oceano’s brand values. Furthermore, the element of “water” was introduced to soften the hard textures of ceramic tiles and stone, creating a sense of fluidity and movement. The interplay of light and shadow on the water’s surface evokes a feeling of prosperity and good fortune, creating a multi-layered experience that caters to visitors’ emotional expectations and underscores the space’s unique identity within architectural design.
The Beauty of Material: Crafting a Unified Aesthetic Language
While creative variations can be captivating, enduring beauty resonates deeper. Lamo Design’s approach to architectural design focused on activating the inherent beauty of materials, crafting an authentic and tangible experience for the Oceano brand. This involved a delicate balance between spatial considerations and functional requirements, ultimately influencing visitor perception in a subtle yet powerful way. One of the key challenges was to showcase the diverse range of Oceano’s products, each with unique textures and expressions, using a cohesive aesthetic language. The design team achieved this by carefully categorizing and organizing the materials, presenting individual samples in a flexible and adaptable manner. This modular approach allowed for a dynamic display that caters to different product lines and application scenarios. The designers also created artistic sculptures that complement the overall spatial ambience, enriching the visual experience and linking the different levels of the headquarters. At the heart of commercial architectural design lies the creation of interactive scenarios between brands and consumers, influencing purchasing decisions. Lamo Design’s primary focus was on meticulously orchestrating the interplay between spatial experience, products, and people. Through a thoughtful integration of lighting and structural elements, multimedia interactions, product displays, and lighting installations were seamlessly blended, creating memorable brand touchpoints that resonate with visitors. Moreover, the design deliberately avoided overly specific formal relationships, opting for simple yet powerful compositions that stand the test of time and resist fleeting trends. The strategic use of light interventions creates opportunities for contemplation, adding another layer of depth to the visitor experience and demonstrating a nuanced understanding of how lighting can shape perception in architectural design.
Continuing the Spirit: Oceano’s China Jade and the Essence of Chinese Aesthetics
Oceano’s “China Jade” series pays homage to nature’s raw beauty with its subtle textures that evoke a sense of authenticity and connection to the natural world. Lamo Design’s architectural design responded to this by reinterpreting the material’s form and texture, creating spaces that resonate with the deep-seated Chinese admiration for jade’s preciousness and the noble qualities it represents. The resulting symmetrical matrix exudes a strong sense of order, conveying national pride and offering a contemporary interpretation of traditional Eastern aesthetics. A long corridor extends from the entrance hall, serving as a transitional space that highlights the unique qualities of “China Jade.” Its transparency, warmth, and natural feel are accentuated, creating a sense of spiritual continuity. Natural light filters in from the outdoors and through the ceiling, illuminating the corridor and enhancing the serene atmosphere. The introduction of artistic installations and curated furniture pieces further reinforces the spatial ambience. Contemporary material applications and the heritage of classic Chinese aesthetics converge within the rectilinear layout. The patterns of the ceramic tiles evoke a sense of flowing thoughts, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the material’s profound inner essence. This approach to blending traditional and modern elements is a testament to Lamo Design’s mastery of architectural design, demonstrating how cultural heritage can be seamlessly integrated into contemporary spaces.
Unity without Distinction: Empowering Spaces through Functional Integration
While commercial spaces benefit from artistic expression, they also need to address the practical needs of users, creating a welcoming and functional environment. Lamo Design carefully considered this aspect of architectural design when planning the Oceano Headquarters. The spatial layout was strategically divided to balance artistic and functional zones, seamlessly connected by circulation paths. Oceano’s products were cleverly integrated into the narrative, creating a dynamic experience as visitors transition through the space. The ways in which high-end ceramic tiles can enhance daily life are intricately linked to both functional requirements and the emotional connection users establish with their surroundings. The headquarters features distinct spaces – a living room, a tea room, a meditation area, and an open kitchen – that are interconnected yet maintain their individual character. This approach, coupled with the use of independent layouts and security measures, ensures that adjustments within one area do not disrupt the overall visitor experience. This meticulous attention to detail and functionality is a hallmark of thoughtful architectural design, ensuring that the space adapts seamlessly to the needs of its users. The design showcases the diverse applications of ceramic tiles, emphasizing their versatility and adaptability to different scenarios. By breaking down the fixed relationship between people and space, the design encourages users to interpret the space freely, allowing the richness of the materials to shine through. This emphasis on user interaction and the creation of adaptable spaces underscores the forward-thinking approach of Lamo Design, demonstrating how architectural design can empower users to shape their experiences within a given environment.
Showcasing Oceano’s Comprehensive Solutions: Bathrooms and Beyond
Bathrooms, as a primary setting for ceramic tile applications, play a significant role in residential design. Lamo Design recognized this importance and dedicated a prominent section of the headquarters to showcase Oceano’s comprehensive bathroom solutions. By categorizing different products and employing a modular approach to their presentation, the design allows visitors to envision real-life applications and understand the brand’s capabilities in a tangible way. This demonstration of Oceano’s expertise in bathroom design highlights the brand’s commitment to providing holistic solutions that cater to the diverse needs and preferences of its clientele. Furthermore, to support Oceano’s expansion plans and retail network growth, the design incorporates flexible elements that can be adapted to different regional contexts. Distributors can select tailored solutions based on their specific needs, considering factors such as space limitations, product range, and spatial configurations. This adaptability ensures that the brand’s expansion strategy is both efficient and effective, allowing Oceano to reach new markets with ease. This strategic approach to design demonstrates a deep understanding of the practical challenges faced by businesses in the architectural design industry. By creating adaptable solutions that can be tailored to different contexts, Lamo Design ensures that the Oceano brand can effectively communicate its message and showcase its products in a variety of settings.
Ensuring Flawless Execution: The Importance of Process and Detail
To guarantee the successful realization of design concepts, the headquarters incorporates a dedicated zone that showcases Oceano’s meticulous approach to materials, craftsmanship, and details. This area serves to instill confidence in potential customers by demonstrating the brand’s commitment to quality and precision. By using products as the fundamental building blocks and creating interactive scenarios, the space reinforces brand identity while engaging visitors’ senses. This approach underscores the importance of transparency and authenticity in architectural design, allowing users to gain a deeper understanding of the brand’s values and commitment to quality. An integrated sample display area and a long table provide a dedicated space for designers to explore and compare materials, offering a hands-on experience that highlights the brand’s attention to detail. The designers aimed to demonstrate the transformation from raw materials to finished products, showcasing Oceano’s expertise in all stages of the production process. This transparency not only builds trust but also showcases the brand’s dedication to innovation and its ability to provide comprehensive solutions that meet the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship within the architectural design industry.
