Author: admin

scents of dao

over the last 5,000 years, the teachings of shen nong, the father of eastern restorative herbal medicine, have been crafted into a precise methodical philosophy centred around the body’s balance and free-flowing energy systems.

adopting these learnings into the modern day, scents of dao was formed.

just as the moon circles the earth and the earth the sun, human bodies are energy systems that abide by the act of diurnal living. scents of dao unites two key elements, the sun and the moon, characterised through the merging of the two chinese symbols to become an anchor for day to night rituals that create natural harmony in our cyclical lives. this is the practice of balance and the discipline of opposing forces which create a harmonious tranquillity to our natural state.

to practice scents of dao, is to pay tribute to the healing properties of nature.

photographs by: vita mak & judy chen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

grand majestic sichuan

defined by seductive extravagance through a contemporary filter, grand majestic sichuan is a space of glamorous escape. blind tigers on the emblem nod to the exclusivity and freewheeling spirit of the roaring 20s. it is a tantalising lounge for the high-flying younger generation with a sophisticated eye for modern art in a classy yet high octane setting.

in this irresistible experience, connoisseurs will indulge in spicy sichuan classics, reinvented, all served in whimsical tablewares as the perfect canvas for this visual feast. more is more in this maximalist eatery, a sensory dining experience where the opulent interiors and bold flavours are in an intoxicating two-step.

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

goodman westlink

echoing the rugged beauty of its verdant surroundings, substance’s interior work for goodman westlink is an exemplar for sustainable, modern logistic centres. the spatial concept is anchored on usability, flexibility, and integrity, enabling it to deftly respond to diverse users, from office executives to truck drivers, from visitors to valued clientele.

taking after the organised systems that power logistics, we methodically excavated and repurposed the resources available at our location. wood is reborn as structure and furniture; soil and minerals from the land transform into terrazzo and stucco that clads floors and walls. striking a delicate balance between industry and nature, a living workspace emerges — one that aims to give as much as it takes.

hinting at crown shyness — a fascinating phenomenon where tree crowns delicately avoid touching — our brand identity for greenroof signifies a canopy of intertwining paths, reflective of how our spaces find rooting and inspiration in its natural context.


chalet nê

sheltering an itinerant family of four with roots in the east and west, chalet nê celebrates and encapsulates the warmth, sense of community, and artistry of east asian mountain cultures from its perch in the french alps. reflecting local building techniques and a sensitive gathering of resources from the chalet’s natural context, we symbolise the reverence early mountain tribes held for nature and its living denizens.

a steep cascade of pitched roofs topped with local larch wood shingles recall the peaks of the alps and himalayas, while ancestral stone wall patterns and intricate carpentry define the stalwart walls upholding the cavernous roofs. doorframe entrances and balustrade carvings pay homage to the drukgyel dzong monastery in bhutan, complemented by the la chaux plaster tempering the grain of the space’s reclaimed wood panels.

true to its savoyard name, chalet nê serves as a nest, ready to recharge its inhabitants for their next journey into exploration and discovery.

the ravine

 

nestled within the heart of ubud’s forests, a space intertwines architecture, nature, and culture to form a residential landmark that transcends the boundaries of the natural and the man-made. named after the steep gorges that shape the area, the ravine captures the reverence of bali for its landscape, standing as an offering of gratitude towards the culture that has breathed it into existence.

the beauty of this secluded abode sits in its layers – intricately designed architecture with a foundation of brick, stone, and concrete softening into wood, bamboo, and leaves. every line and shape pays homage to balinese craftsmanship, with bespoke furniture and lighting inspired by the silhouettes of the region’s heritage of wood carving and traditional instruments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the library

as a curated library of vast automotive treasures, it is designed with the intent of strengthening the thread that cultivates the avid spirit for driving. fuelled with endless motion and the purest exhilaration, this place introduces an aura of stillness. capturing moments of excitement within a split second and honouring it in all its glory.

home to priceless cars and memorabilia, we aim to celebrate its air of history and unfold the fruitful narrative within. this notion has formed the backbone of our design approach and has allowed us to communicate the beauty of automotive design into the details of the space. inspired by the mechanical nature of cars, we have opted to engineer the space with mobility design in mind. each component and part that has been fittingly integrated within, can be easily assembled and disassembled to the user’s whim. deriving an unparalleled level of modularity, while maintaining an exquisite fit and finish.

our vision was to package this without losing the level of immersion we were seeking for. so we ventured out and experimented with materiality to craft a hall of infinite reflections, utilising polished stainless steel panels to create a visual journey that seamlessly plays with light and forms. exemplary of our attention to detail, we proceeded to recognise what is fundamental to the essence of a car. with cabinetry handles inspired by the ones adorned on a zagato and lounge chairs that pay homage to the ferrari dino, our design creates a platform to preserve the beauty of the past and celebrate the emotions of the future.

Stratégie

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pour vous installer
dans vos marques.

Maxime Dautresme

at the root of maxime dautresme’s story is passion—a family’s passion for creativity and travel. growing up, he was surrounded by asian antiquities and works of 20th-century masters. on his father’s side, a great-uncle, a tireless captain of overseas courier crossings, fascinated by the forgotten treasures of the middle kingdom. his uncle francis, a talented photographer, a renowned aesthete and precursor, was equally inspired by china, and in 1965 decided to revive the millennia-long asian savoir-faire by opening a concept store in paris displaying his 60 years of profound love for the poetry of asian daily life. his mother, the daughter of brazilian painter cicero dias and goddaughter of pablo picasso, lingered in his grandfather’s atelier, submerged by his prolific work and colourful character. this was a place that saw leger, matisse, picasso, miro, and calder come together in sleeplessness. maxime himself had an itinerant childhood in brazil, korea, japan, france, and the usa, which helped him develop a keen eye for beauty and culture.

maxime creates contexts for imaginative ideas. the integrity and detail of his work reflect his professional journey: a technical grounding in architecture and a creative pedigree with agencies working on a diverse collection of accounts. he has a deep understanding of the design process at every stage. his ability to communicate using visual language is uniquely engaging. he started his career joining the prestigious christian de portzamparc atelier of architecture in paris, and later spent several years in new york, miami, shanghai and hong kong with tbwa, ogilvy & mather and ddb. in 2011 he established the branding and design consultancy agency substance in hong kong, now with a presence in paris and stockholm.

the stories he produces have a vibrancy and exoticism and encourage the consumer to participate. as part of the experience, he likes to leave appealing decorative clues and mementos, which hint at an intriguing tale. these visual triggers stimulate the imaginations of the people who see them, helping them engage in their own creative way, by filling in the gaps in the story. a love of research and historical style has given him a deep respect for the past. having lived in hong kong for almost a decade, he has contributed to the revival of its distinct culture by creating nostalgic and authentic pieces with contemporary flair.

awards & honors:
bronze, spikes asia
merit, one show
silver, digital media awards
winner, red dot product design
winner, red dot communication design
winner, perspective’s 40 under 40 award, interior design category winner, most original refit, monocle travel top 50 awards
winner, best hotel interior, international property awards (asia pacific) winner, best new bar, the bar awards singapore 2018
winner, international restaurant branding and interior, restaurant & bar awards
winner, best of the best, professional interior design, hotel & resort, a&d trophy awards 2018

Florian Michaux

florian, started his graphic design career freelancing for local brands in the usa, canada and australia. in 2002, he returned to paris to open his own firm, substance, where he created and produced art shows along with brand identity and online/offline digital interfaces for the likes of cointreau, quiksilver and galeries lafayettes. whilst at substance, he also served as art director at leg, creating concepts and digital brand campaigns for ​google, nike, mtv, eurostar and sfr.

the instinct to again work globally inspired his move to hong kong where supports substance’s expansion into the asian market. he continues to work between paris and hong kong combining his passion for graphic arts and user experiences into the digital landscape. florian currently serves as substance’s founder and digital creative director.