Gemdale · Cosmo Sales Center / TOMO DESIGN

Architects: TOMO DESIGN, TO ACC
Area: 1,200 m²
Year: 2022
Photography: Kevin
Lead Architects: Uno Chan, Xiao Fei
Architects Team: Daniel, Reed, Bao Fu, Ice, Calum
Design Team: Tin, Maple Zhang, Ho Ching, Amber
Interior Design: Uno Chan, Xiao Fei
Decoration Design: Tin, Maple Zhang, Ho Ching, Amber
Technical Support: G.art Lighting Design (Shenzhen)
Materials: Textured coating, aluminium plate, glass brick, marble, wooden floor, stainless steel
Client: Gemdale Corporation (East China Region)
City: Nantong
Country: China

TOMO DESIGN has conceived the Gemdale · Cosmo Sales Center in Nantong as a spatial interpretation of GOGO MALL, a concept developed for a new generation of urban elites. The project reflects the themes of leisure, commerce, and refined living through a series of interconnected zones that unfold like a daily narrative. Each area corresponds to a moment of the day, from sunrise to night, offering distinct atmospheres shaped by arc-shaped geometries, artistic installations, and material contrasts. The design integrates local cultural references, particularly Nantong’s coastal setting, with international lifestyle aspirations, creating a commercial space that merges property sales with experiential retail and social interaction. Blending motifs of yachts, waves, and urban vibrancy, the center offers not only a functional venue for property display but also a curated environment of fashion, art, and community. Through this layered approach, TOMO DESIGN positions the sales center as both a brand statement for Gemdale’s COSMO series and a symbolic environment for the sophisticated lifestyles it seeks to inspire.

Beyond favoring specific materials, I thrive on tailor-developing materials for unique projects — this zero-to-one creation process not only solves distinctive design challenges but delivers unparalleled satisfaction through breakthrough innovation.
Interview with Uno Chan of TOMO DESIGN

Gemdale · cosmo sales center / tomo design

Rather than presenting itself as a conventional sales center, the Gemdale · Cosmo project by TOMO DESIGN reimagines the typology as a contemporary urban forum where commerce and culture converge. Conceived under the theme of GOGO MALL, the design takes inspiration from Nantong’s coastal context, weaving associations of water, yachts, and flowing waves into a spatial sequence that mirrors the rhythm of a day.

The entry establishes the commercial character through luminous glass brick walls and a bold installation of stylized smiley faces that convey an optimistic outlook. Arc-shaped geometries recur throughout the project, as seen in the reception desk, metal backdrops, and suspended floral compositions that lend the interiors a sculptural presence. These curved elements set a tone of fluidity that continues across the various programmatic zones.

Retail displays and café areas merge into a unified environment where boutique commerce and property marketing intersect. Textural choices, such as woven leather and polished metal, heighten the sense of refinement. Installations like a brass-leaf tree filter natural light into the seating areas, creating atmospheric moments of repose. The project also introduces child-friendly spaces where abstracted motifs of waves and nature encourage imagination, ensuring inclusivity within the luxury setting.

The mezzanine tea lounge, conceived as a yacht-inspired deck, underscores the maritime narrative while offering a retreat for intimate gatherings or cultural activities. By incorporating flexibility for performances, baking demonstrations, and social salons, the design allows the space to evolve beyond its initial commercial function.

Through a careful orchestration of materials, lighting, and artistic expression, TOMO DESIGN transforms the sales center into an experiential landscape. More than a venue for property transactions, it serves as a stage for the lifestyles envisioned by Gemdale’s COSMO brand, aligning the aspirations of urban elites with the energy and elegance of contemporary Nantong.