JJ Acuna Hits Pause

Based out of Hong Kong, JJ Acuna of Bespoke Studio is the consummate cosmopolitan. He speaks with Indesign about the changing face of hospitality and design across Asia Pacific amidst the global pandemic pause.

What are the origins of Bespoke Studio?

I was a director at a Hong Kong architecture firm, and after a decade of corporate projects in mainland China, took a year’s sabbatical. In that time, I designed three restaurants for friends and found it a very soulful experience. It was so cathartic to see people enjoying smaller, more personal spaces I’d made, and each made it into international magazines! So then I began my studio in 2015.

What keeps you busy these days?

Aside from some great new restaurants opening in Tokyo, Macau and Manila, we’re seeing a boom in residential work. Since no one’s travelling, people are reassessing their space. I think those who enjoy our restaurants become curious about how that lifestyle perspective might translate at home. It’s a real fusion of design programming for this generation of clientele.

How has COVID-19 impacted local design and hospitality in Hong Kong?

The food scene is still going strong. In Hong Kong, no matter how dangerous Coronavirus is, or protests are, people will forever be sociable. We can’t invite friends home to our tiny flats, so bars and restaurants are here to stay. Design-wise, we’re moving away from fixed features like booths, providing loose seating options instead, so venues can observe proper social distancing.

Tell us how you have navigated the pandemic pause?

We’ve just finished a hotel for Four Seasons Macau entirely through conference calls! I used to fly once a month for work whereas now I question, ‘Is this travel necessary?’ Working remotely is kinder to the environment, but there’s no substitute for experiencing context in person. Designers rely on serendipity to create.