On 1st of May, the very first shop of Good Design Award, the “GOOD DESIGN STORE” opened at PMQ, Hong Kong.

What is PMQ?

PMQ is a commercial facility to improve the creative industry of Hong Kong as a hub. Among all 8 government projects for creative industry promotion, PMQ was the first one be completed, also saved the historic building of Central District, which also called the “Conserving Central”. Several years ago, Hong Kong Design Centre, which have been in long friendly relations to, introduced us a plan of PMQ, and we thought about to launch a PR project in here for Good Design Award since then. Presently the stage of pre-open, nearly 2 to 3 shops inside of PMQ are opening. After the grand open by the end of June, studios (shop space also), restaurants, event space “cube” produced by 100 selected designers, creators will be full opened in business.

 

The name of “PMQ” is from “Police Married Quarters”, a total of more than 100 dwelling unit spaces in two buildings that separated by the side of Hollywood Road, and Staunton Road. PMQ is renovated without dismantling this building and used the dwelling unit as studio. Before the “Police Married Quarters”, this place also located Central School, Sun Yat-sen, founding father of China, was graduated from that school. And this place has an important historical background for Hong Kong. The remains are stored in the basement of the courtyard space of the current PMQ, and tour facilities will be completed soon.

As the very first originating base for Good Design Award, we were honored to own such a memorable and expected place. And only because of its history which long as Good Design Award and G Mark, that make us feel familiar.

 

GOOD DESIGN STORE as selling store and show room for Good Design Award and Japan Design was established for information dispatch. About 80 products were placed in the shop, and we also scheduled for replacement of products several times a year. Function as gallery, promotion place for winning company and designers are also in consideration.

Hiromura Masaki, jury of Good Design Award, designed the VI of GOOD DESIGN STORE. On the left top, where he placed G Mark, it means to shine like sun as the symbol of design that been loved by people for long time in this very first oversea store. And we hope more people will get to know about G Mark through this logo.

General Store of Hong Kong charges VMD and space design. To be able to do G Mark promotion in PMQ, the people that lead the creative industry of Hong Kong accepted us. They intuitively thought to create a store that feels "interesting & wants", that's when we met General Store in such a case. General Store has collaboration to creators in New York, Tokyo, London and Hong Kong, and also an interior store of modern and classic antique rare, in that sense and sophisticated view of the world of its own that mixed the old and new, they also engaged in a variety of space design. Their store is conveniently close to the PMQ, has become a place where designers visit in often already.

 

They designed the space by considering combine the identity of G-Mark and the respect to the location of PMQ with "design subtraction" of Japanese design. 27m2for store space and 17m2 for gallery deterred it won’t be a big store in any way, however with their design we received a beautiful and functional display place. Gallery has a scenic backdrop cityscape of Hong Kong pencil buildings with a blue sky in background.

Select selling product in store is done in collaboration between JDP and General Store. We focus on products with elements that feel "quality of G-Mark" and "quality of Japanese design" among the award-winning products and select by their texture, sophistication, integrity, and appearance. In addition, we also selected from Long Life Design Award that people can easily feel the "good of the G-Mark", especially focus on tools and stationery. We believe you will find your interest on G Mark in our GOOD DESIGN STORE.

On May 1, it was opened in advance the time of 18:00 since many people came to visit. An opening reception held under the strong support of General Store, and offered with Japanese highball and Katsusando, also the DJ with equipment provided by Vestax, it turned to a lively party that continued until midnight. Hong Kong government officials and other relates who provided us assistants, designers, media, and Japan design rubber, so many people came that more than we expected. They watched each product carefully and purchased, we were so surprised by their highly interests. That made a great successfully opening evening. Also, like this evening that gathered designers and numbers of people from Japan, Hong Kong and companies, we are appreciated to have such a place for GOOD DESIGN STORE, for JDP as well, a place to give birth to new project and new idea in the future.

 

 

Future version

For the next step of GOOD DESIGN STORE, in accordance with the grand opening of PMQ, Good Design Award jury Naoto Fukasawa will be invited to Hong Kong and participate a co-organized seminar with PMQ and HK Design center on July 11. Addition, the whole month of July, in the GOOD DESIGN STORE Gallery, will be held to showcase the Good Design Award product that Fukasawa has worked on, named "Naoto Fukasawa meets GOOD DESIGN AWARD".

We will execute the plan to introduce Japanese design including the Good Design Award thereafter. Japanese staff that detailed information of Hong Kong will also resides in the store, please visit by all means and occasions and feel free to contact us. No matter companies or designers, we are looking forward your contact regarding the use of our gallery in PMQ.

GOOD DESIGN STORE
H401, Block B, PMQ No.35 Aberdeen Street Central, Hong Kong
Tel. +852 2857 5338
Fax. +852 2546 5138
E-mail gds@g-mark.org
www.facebook.com/gooddesignstore 

Writer: Masunabi Kawaguchi/JDP
Translator: Xiaolin He/JDP