Intelligent Design
The young and rising talent from Hong Kong, André Fu, answers questions about life, inside and outside, as a designer and an architect 139
ith the addition of Lasvit—a Czech lighting manufacturer known for its beautiful handblown glass—to the extensive list of Bika Living’s partners, the name André Fu instantly came to the fore. André Fu Living, only two years old yet already successful, collaborated with Lasvit to create the modern TAC/TILE lighting series with simple aesthetic, natural materials and understated elegance. His idiosyncratic design style has won admirers and projects since Hong Kong’s The Upper House opened in 2009. As of last year, among many other honours, André has been named as Designer of the Year by Maison&objet Asia and is on his way to become the world’s next big thing. Here, he talks to Indonesia Tatler.
You once mentioned that “becoming the space around” is core in your works. Could you please elaborate? I have always put emphasis on the evolution of luxury into an era in which high-end customers are thriving for experiences that are thoughtful and highly genuine. In that context, I believe that a well-curated space should allow the customer to fully immerse themselves into a place that they feel at ease and emotionally connected.
Do you have any other design aesthetics and principles? How do you stay true to them while appealing to the mass market yet remaining timeless? I believe in the quality of experience. In other words, my design principles focus mainly on the design narrative of the project and the experience of the guest in mind. I trust this genuine focus on the experience itself should remain a core value that should stand the test of time; I like to consider a sense of honesty in my works.
Do you plan to expand your businesses outside of AFSO and AFL? AFSO is my studio that focuses mainly on spatial designs and hospitality, whilst André Fu Living is a niche lifestyle brand that seeks to celebrate the art of artisanship. There are key initiatives to expand the perimeters of both brands within their offerings; for example, André Fu Living will be unveiling a brand new outdoor furniture collaboration in 2018.
Were you to choose any place in the world to build anything you want, where and what would it be? Please elaborate. Marrakesh: I admire its distinct juxtaposition of the East and the West, and also its unique mystical quality.
How do you measure success? Where do you envision yourself in the next 10 years or more? I believe that success is merely a notion in itself. I should hope that I shall continue to create works that could continue to evolve and delight those that enjoys my creations.
Outside of being a designer, is there another profession or passion you’d like to explore? That job would be a horticulturalist. I am a frustrated landscape designer in some ways.