Design Definition
Architect André Fu, Maison&objet Asia Designer of the Year 2016, shares how he is expanding the scope of his spatial works with tangible objects
hink of some of your favourite interior architecture to come out of Singapore, Asia and the world in recent years, and the man behind them is probably André Fu. Notable projects, including the award-winning The Upper House in Hong Kong, The Opus Suite at The Berkeley in London and The Clifford Pier restaurant at The Fullerton Bay Hotel in Singapore, have earned the Hong Kong-based, Cambridge-educated architect such international praise as “Asian design sensation” and “design wunderkind”. This year, he’s named Maison&objet Asia Designer of the Year, which coincides with the launch of his lifestyle brand André Fu Living. The first product is a scent called Fargesia, after a type of Asian bamboo, formulated by renowned Argentine perfumer Julian Bedel of Fueguia 1833. He will be launching a collection of Cooper & Graham bathroom fixtures that oozes “modern Asian urbanity” at the Maison&objet Asia trade fair (from March 8 to 11, at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre). Fu explains, “I want to challenge myself and see if I can embrace something that can equally perpetuate the kind of sensibility that is evoked in my spatial works and whether they can be translated into objects that are more tangible in spirit.” He tells us more about his new endeavours.
Tell us about André Fu Living’s “collection by collaboration” concept.
It’s very much a curated retail experience. I’m either working with brands with a great heritage and they want to inject something new into their language of expression, or businesses that are more artisanal in spirit, more boutique sized. We’ve seen growing interest since the launch and I am very curious about how the brand will evolve. This is a new journey for me in many ways.
Fargesia captures a tactile essence of your work. How can scent enhance the design of a space?
In my works, I explore the emotional connection of space with the person. Scent, in many ways, displays this spirit. People would have expected me to come up with a reed diffuser or candle. But we’ve decided to go with eau de toilette as it’s a bit of an unknown factor for me, and even more of a challenge. The idea is to use materials that I’ve used in my designs and translate them into a smell. The notes of Fargesia are very crisp and fresh. We’ve used bamboo with The Upper House in Hong Kong, and the recent Kioku restaurant in Four Seasons Seoul. So I guess in terms of integration, it’s meant to be an extension and celebration of materiality of my spaces.
What are you currently fascinated by and how is it influencing your work?
I’m very interested on the impact of social media on design. The moment a new hotel opens, it will be Instagrammed and hashtagged—that kind of information is instantaneously sent globally. But, while technology allows creativity to travel, at the same time people might have forgotten that great design ought to be experienced. It’s very easy for young design talents to get the misconception that great design is purely driven by the success of images.
What is a space that is the epitome of design?
I love the work of Carlo Scarpa, the gardens he does are amazing. Villa Savoye by Le Corbusier is another brilliant example of contemporary architecture, and the Barcelona Pavilion by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe is another. What do I like about them? Perhaps it’s the tactility of the works, and the clarity in the expression of architecture.
What would be your ultimate design project?
A theatre for performance art. Again, it’s the interaction of that play of audience versus performer, that’s another aspect that I’m very curious about.