Archives

aman festive

 

every sunrise is a promise of renewal. this year with aman, we guard the sun’s sacredness, taking time to appreciate intimate moments under one sky. narrated across contemplative illustrations, each property’s story is captured as ephemeral snapshots overlaid on delicate textural hues of the sky as the festive character traverses space and time. from hatsuhinode in aman tokyo to amanyara’s junkanoo dancing, every illustration celebrates unique sun-soaked or moonlit rituals surrounded by rich culture and abundant nature.

these visual stories spring to life across ink and screens, from limited edition greeting cards to ethereal animations that carry the same delicate nuances expressed through the tactility of paper and meticulous handcrafting of animated movement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

uncle ming’s

steeped in the spirit of the city, a space that creates a dialogue with the surrounding architecture through a geometric language laying the foundation of a spectacular cityscape. like a house of light suspended in the sky, uncle ming’s guides people towards its trove of fine whiskies, taking guests on a journey of discovery as they unbox the treasures within.

formed by simple, rectilinear shapes and realised through soulful materials, the den unfolds as an enigmatic cubic volume. light is refracted by rippled glass, detailing the walls with shadows and slow, orderly movements that exalt into a quiet allure. minimal yet sumptuous, the spatial experience encapsulates the essence of the city’s polarity.

craftsmanship is celebrated through raw, tactile executions of the brand identity, and a logotype that is a typographical expression of joinery – a hallway between an architectural drawing and a mysterious signature. above the dusky skyline, amidst a luscious bouquet of oak and smoke, spirited conversations and aromatic encounters await.

aki hotel

 

accor hotel’s m gallery is a storied collection, boasting over 100 boutique hotels, each with a unique tale to tell. among these exceptional properties is aki hong kong, a giant prism nestled between the low-rise historical buildings and towering skyscrapers of wan chai. it’s a place to pause amid the hustle and bustle of the vibrant neighborhood, offering a quintessential modern hospitality experience with a zen hideaway, a stark contrast to the never-sleeping environment of the bustling commercial area.

despite the district’s intensity, aki hotel’s identity design language responds with a need for calmness, reflecting a guest’s experience once they connect with the building and its interiors. the graphic language draws inspiration from the japanese boro, a textile art form that grew out of medieval necessity (ぼろ), where history is woven into a cultural statement. reinterpreted as a contemporary narrative, the identity system is a tactile vocabulary that unites an atmosphere, a metropolis, and the people. it’s an expression of human resilience, a tool that engages the audience with its cultural and geographical context. the pattern suggests a map, highlighting its location, the hotel’s building attributes, geometry, and materiality, as well as a collection of touchpoints that stimulate thought and dialogue, provoke response, and enhance understanding of its context.

 

 

 

 

 

 

singapore penthouse

a house in the sky amongst concrete skyscrapers and lush greenery, this penthouse sits in harmony with its surroundings like a treehouse. having studied the personalities and routines of the family of four, we created private and social spaces accordingly. the existing architecture of the apartment provided a platform on the upper floor that serves as a protective canopy for the social space below, and to highlight this characteristic, the upper floor is wrapped in warm timber strips to evoke the nestled, elevated feeling of a treehouse.

different levels of privacy are created through the flexible windows and shutters, which can be opened or closed to expose or conceal the space. to reflect the more dynamic purpose of the ground floor living and dining room spaces, transparent materials and a lighter palette are used, and the entire glass façade can be opened up to the terrace, blending indoor and outdoor living.

with the main living area naturally lit through expansive windows, most of the lighting efforts are decorative or uplights used on landscape and wooden trellises.

 

marketing suite

containers are multifaceted; a strong symbol of a logistics company and a celebrator of sustainable architecture. its modular construct naturally allowed us to use 4 containers to create 6 different spaces as a marketing suite, with the flexibility to adapt to an evolving site. we maximised the opportunity to have extensive glass openings, which allows potential clients to have an overview of the surrounds. the layering of timber and glass softens the features of an inherently industrial product, establishing harmony amongst nature whilst bringing in light and tropical backdrops into the space. at the end, the build can be collapsed and transported, leaving minimal imprint on the original landscape.

the fleming

we were tasked to redesign and rebrand the fleming hotel, originally opened in 2006. a new take on the architecture, interior, products, and identity transformed the fleming into a 66-room boutique hotel that is a true reflection of hong kong. occupying a building from the 70s’, the hotel stands in wan chai close to victoria harbour front. the multilayered design concept draws inspiration from the location and history, leveraging Hong Kong’s maritime heritage and 70s’ industrial era to create a cultural, social and efficient character. one landmark that embodies these three elements is the star ferry — having connected people across the harbour for over a century, it is a piece of hong kong’s collective memory and identity. the star ferry, a unique and elegant icon of Hong Kong’s past and present, became the foundation for every design detail, including the custom designed furniture and lighting. nostalgia is further evoked by colours and scents: Carmine reds and bottle greens — hues seen on the hull of Hong Kong’s ferries, fishing boats, delivery trucks, and temples —and apothecary-inspired toiletries and custom aroma of sandalwood and amber notes, to deliver an authentic sense of place.

photographs by: dennis lo & judy chen