DESIGN FOR LOVE
Karr Yip, founder of ADO, on celebrating the company’s 20th anniversary and designing for love ADO創辦人葉憬翰分享「為愛而設計」的創作理念
Founder of ADO, Karr Yip, believes that focusing solely on beauty in design is superficial. “Design should possess not only visual appeal, but also communicate a deeper significance by expressing a positive message to the project,” he explains.
ADO was founded 20 years ago and has since expanded to a team of about 60 people, overseeing three brands. ADO CASA specialises in local high-end residential projects, ADO WORK focuses on commercial and o ice spaces, and ADO CULTURE manages hotels, catering, cultural exhibitions as well as other related projects. The acronym ADO stands for art, design and o ice, a nod to its core values.
In Cantonese, the word ADO sounds almost like “one way”. Yip stresses the significance of ethical considerations in design, asserting it’s important for success in the industry.
“In simple terms, we must act consciously. When working on a project, we should envision it as if creating for our loved ones. We should always think about the other party, focusing not simply on short-term gains, but also nurturing long-term relationships,” he says.
“Residential projects typically span six months to a year, requiring us to immerse ourselves in our clients’ lives and comprehend their needs.
“Residential design goes beyond spatial planning to bring people’s如果設計僅追求美感，一切實在太膚淺。ADO創辦人葉憬翰(Karr Yip)認為：「除了視覺的衝擊，設計更可以為項目賦予意義，表達美善的訊息。」
ADO成立至今20年，集團旗下現擁有三大品牌:ADO CASA專注於本地高尚住宅項目、ADO WORK專注於商業及工作空間，而ADO CULTURE則針對
酒店餐飲文化展覽等項目，團隊約60餘人。ADO代表甚麼？Karr起初以ADO
為公司命名，A代表Art藝術，D代表Design設計，O代表O ice，簡單直接。
ADO中文譯名「一道」，Karr解說：「以設計的道，道是指道德，簡單
來說，就是憑良心做事，用心對待每個項目，想像是為親人而設計，處處為對方著想，不是只看眼前利潤，要看長遠關係。住宅項目為期起碼半年至一年，我們需要走進客人的生活，了解他們的需要。」
他認為：「住宅設計不只是空間規劃，而是實踐他人的夢想，關於家庭和諧。商業空間設計，客戶則有商業目標需要實踐。我們必須花時間和客戶
溝通，了解項目的核心。」ADO團體為了清楚了解客戶家庭每位成員的生活需要，避免某些家庭成員強勢主導，他們有時會採用工作坊(Workshop)形式
收集每位家庭成員的意見。
他說：「我們訓練管理層同事和客戶做朋友，遇上問題時不是在對錯上推卸責任，而是著眼於項目的核心價值，站在客戶立場去思考問題，和客戶建立互信關係。」
擁有善良品格才是Karr聘用人材時優先考慮的因素，而出任ADO管理層
的同事必需樂於助人，善於用心溝通，能站在他人的角度思考，因為設計，
dreams to life and promote family harmony. On the other hand, commercial space design focuses on helping clients achieve their business objectives. It is important that we dedicate time to communicate with clients in order to fully grasp the essence of the project.”
To get a clear understanding of a family’s di erent individual needs, and to prevent any one member from dominating, ADO Group sometimes uses workshop formats to gather input from each person.
“We train our management colleagues to develop a friendly relationship with clients,” Yip says. “So when issues arise, we focus on the core values of the project over assigning blame, viewing problems from the clients’ perspective, and fostering a trusting relationship with them.”
Having a good character is the primary factor that Karr considers when hiring talent. Colleagues in management should be willing to communicate and show empathy towards others, and customers, as design inherently involves collaboration. The aim is to promote a “design for love, build for relationship” culture internally and externally.
ADO has gone through 20 long years. “In the first 10 years, we operated like a normal architectural firm, working on many building projects and public infrastructures. I poured myself into work, and I, like many traditional Chinese men, wrongly believed that my work ability directly translated to the ability to navigate marriage.
“As issues started cropping up in my marriage, I felt like I was sinking into despair with no clue how to fix things. But then, out of the blue, one of my Christian friends showed up at the o ice and started praying out loud for me. I was a bit embarrassed at first, but oddly enough, I felt this uplifting energy taking hold of me.
“I have focused on residential designs for over a decade, aiming to enhance family connections through thoughtful home layouts. No matter how successful someone may be, without support and acknowledgement from family, what is the meaning of it all?”
Yip is an architect, designer and artist whose works have won numerous prestigious awards in Hong Kong and internationally. In 2010, he received the Hong Kong SME Award (small and medium enterprises), earning recognition from various sectors of society. In 2021, he was honoured with one of Hong Kong’s Top Ten Service Brand Awards. Currently, ADO has over 60 employees and handles projects worth an average of HK$150 million per year.
He is the author of the book “Building Love”(築．愛), which mainly discusses how art and design can repair or reconstruct various relationships by creating emotionally rich spaces that provide people with unforgettable experiences.
The book mentions projects such as the Chinese University of Hong Kong Alumni Association Conference Centre; the stand rails at the Sha Tin Racecourse; Hong Kong Design Resource Centre; YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel and Recreation Hall; Fanling Library; Ma On Shan Children’s Library; Mong Kok Post O ice; and the Tuen Mun Sludge Treatment Facility.
In addition to cultural and residential projects, Karr frequently volunteers in dormitory projects for the homeless. In recent years, he has focused on the issue of elderly living. Apart from researching local retirement environments and facilities, he is actively preparing for the development of the largest 3H senior vacation wellness and medical community in Hengqin, adhering to the philosophy of “Design for Love.” Every design element takes into deep consideration the experiences of the elderly and their interpersonal interactions. Within a mere 800 square feet of residential space, there are already over 50 details designed specifically for the elderly. The entire community incorporates approximately 100 recreational spots, creating a space that fosters intergenerational harmony. Karr says, “I hope the elderly can embark on a new life here and truly live for themselves.”
Karr greatly admires the Southern European style. He says, “Although Portugal may not have dazzling modern landmarks, every building and space is designed with exceptional quality. Southern European designs often utilize natural stone and solid wood, preserving their natural textures and qualities. They are not extravagant or obsessed with flawless perfection but rather exude a casual and natural ambiance that brings a sense of relaxation and comfort. It represents a relatively timeless design attitude.” Karr adds, “ADO has participated in some projects in Portugal, and our Portuguese branch is currently in the planning stage, enabling the company to have a more international outlook.”
Looking ahead, ADO will participate in some self-developed real estate projects to gain greater design autonomy and integrate their philosophy into the projects. Additionally, ADO will create its own brand of design details, such as furniture, handles, metal accessories, artworks, etc., and apply them to their projects, enhancing brand recognition and consistency in design language. ADO has implemented quality control from the factory, standardizing the entire production and construction process. Their team will continue to approach projects with heartfelt dedication, “building tight-knit lives” and providing customers with profound experiences.
“Residential design goes beyond spatial planning to bring people’s dreams to life and promote family harmony”
本來就是以人為本的。Karr希望在公司內外建立Design for Love, Build for Relationship的文化，一起築緊彼此生活。
ADO走過20年漫長歲月，他回憶著說:「頭十年，我們如一般建築師樓，做過許多建築項目和公共建設。我全情投入工作，如許多傳統中國男士一樣，誤以為工作能力等同處理家庭關係的能力，漸漸地我的家庭出現了問題，整個人沉下去，無法自救。後來有一位基督徒朋友來到公司為我大聲祈禱，起初我很尷尬，但我感受到真誠禱告的力量，通過一段時間的輔導，走出情緒低谷。自此，我決定多參與住宅設計，希望透過規劃及溝通，改善人們的家庭關係。」他補充:「一個人有多少成就，但沒得有家人認同及陪伴，又有何意義?」
Karr是建築師、設計師和藝術家，作品屢獲多個香港及國際大獎的殊榮，曾任兩屆香港設計師協會主席，香港各主要設計比賽的評審及顧問，在2010年獲香港最佳中小企業大獎，受到社會各界的肯定，Karr帶領的ADO並於2021年獲得 香港十大服務名牌，現在ADO有60多名員工，經營平均每年1.5億的項目。
他曾撰寫著作《築．愛》，內容主要講述如何透過藝術及設計，重建各種關係，從而建造富情感的空間，為人帶來深刻難忘體驗。書中提及的項目包括香港中文大學校友會會議中心、修頓球場看台扶手、香港設計資源中心、YHA美荷樓青年旅舍及生活館、粉嶺圖書館、馬鞍山兒童圖書館、旺角郵政局、屯門污泥處理設施等。
除了文化及家居項目，Karr也經常義務參與給露宿者的宿舍項目，近年，Karr關注長者居住問題，除了研究本地養老環境和設施外，也在橫琴積極籌備亞洲最大型3H長者渡假養生醫療社區，貫徹Design for Love的理念，每個設計都深入考慮長者的體驗和與人際之間互動，僅800平方呎的住宅空間內已經有50多項為長者而設的細節，整個社區設計了約100個玩樂點，塑造長幼共融的空間。Karr說:「我希望長者在這 展開新的人生，真正的為自己而活」。
Karr非常喜愛南歐風格:「葡萄牙雖然沒有耀眼的現代地標建築，但每個建築、空間都設計得非常有質感。南歐的設計多用天然石材和實木，保留自然紋理和質感，不浮誇，不追求完美無瑕，隨意自然，反而令人感到輕鬆舒適，
是相對永恆的設計態度。」Karr說:「ADO曾在葡萄牙參與一些項目，葡萄牙分公司也已經在籌備中，讓公司視野更加國際化。」
展望未來，ADO會參與一些自主開發房地產項目，換取自由度更大的設計主導權，將理念融會貫通在項目內。另外，ADO也會製作自家品牌的設計細節(design details) ，例如家具、把手、金屬配件、藝術品等等，並應用在自
身的項目，提高品牌識別性及貫徹設計語言。ADO從工廠開始做品質管理，標準化整個生產及施工流程，他們的團隊會繼續由心出發，「築緊彼此生活」，為客戶帶來深刻體驗。