Archives

house of shinsegae

house of shinsegae reimagines department store conventions through the lens of 1950s mid-century heritage—an architectural manifestation of shinsegae’s ambition to redefine the department store as a lifestyle platform. we designed spaces for lingering rather than mere transaction—curated wine libraries, intimate tasting salons, and a gastronomic journey that balances contemporary appeal with legacy.

at its core, the design translates the physicality of a home—intimate, layered, and soft—into a retail environment where ritual replaces routine. while styling a department store with a residential experience is rare globally, the result will remain meaningful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

central tower family office

 

this family office pays tribute to an era when design balanced restraint with indulgence. functionality meets flair, infused with the warmth and intimacy of a private residence.

the design transforms a compact layout into a layered volume. soft daylight filters through glass bricks, illuminating shared spaces while maintaining privacy. a timber and fluted metal canopy anchors the interior, fostering connection while defining boundaries. lush terrariums add moments of natural tranquility amidst the drama of hong kong’s urban rhythm—an organic feature that doubles as a natural air filtration system.

our identity work is expressed through an embroidered family crest: a textured emblem of swallows and cherished objects, symbolizing humility, wisdom, and legacy. this is more than an office; it is a living narrative—a timeless reflection of purpose, passion, and pride.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

nasayem

blessed by the constant and ever present breeze of saadiyat island, nasayem—an arabic term meaning “gentle winds”— is a private residence that recognises wind not as an external force to resist, but as a co-creator in the built environment. inspired by the resilience, adaptability, and artisanal legacy of desert tribes, the design harmonises communal gathering with intimate retreat, creating a sanctuary that balances connection and solitude.

the colour palette and materiality draws directly from the desert landscape—neutral, natural, and quietly expressive, inviting balance and harmony. handmade teak latticework screens inspired by bedouin geometric motifs define thresholds between public and private realms while modulating transparency and airflow. a double-height central courtyard serves as a central gathering space and passive cooling system, while the open mezzzanine above establishes visual and spatial connections.

nasayem is a testament to sensory storytelling, light, wind, and heritage converge. it is a retreat that honours its roots while embracing a living narrative of place, memory, and the gentle persistence of the desert’s breath.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

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.


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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the year of the ox

admired for its indispensable role in china’s agricultural society, the year of the ox is a celebration of its diligence, integrity, and honesty. we designed five red packets to honour the five grains in ancient china – wheat, broomcorn, rice, foxtail millet, and soybean. wrapped in a packaging that embodies the ox itself, the packets are tucked neatly into a blizzard book mechanism that serves as a carrier for all the stories within.

the idyllic scenes depicting agricultural life are set against the backdrop of ge ba, an unassuming textile artform from the countryside. reminiscent of cubist paintings, the featured ge ba are from the personal collection of françois dautresme, a prolific art collector who amassed over 7,500 items during his 35 years of travel, exploration and discovery in china, and more notably, the beloved and inspiring uncle of substance’s founder maxime dautresme.