The André Fu Studio aesthetic is defined by its blending of eastern traditions and modern European flair, as well as a quiet, effortless, minimalist elegance. But at the heart of it all, it is about the people, says Fu.

“Many people consider design to be something driven by style, colours and forms,” he explains. “But for me, I think it’s that the human-centric aspect of design has been the core of my work.” He acknowledges that typically people might perceive the aesthetics of his work as “calming” and “understated”—but for him, it is also about creating an environment that puts people at ease.

“When a space is well-designed, you feel that you’re well taken care of when you go in,” he says. “When the architect or designer thinks of you as a person, or how you would experience what they have created or curated, you become the focus.” When designing a hotel room, for example, he asks his team to imagine being the guest walking into the space. “I would say: where would you sit or put your luggage? How would you turn on the lights?” There is “no magic to it”, he says, “but you’d be surprised how these very simple things might be overlooked because you’re overwhelmed by the design you’re trying to achieve.”

When the occupants of the space are top of mind during the design process, they also become the heart and soul of the place. “People think of the hardware in the things I design, but what gives them life is people going to dine at the restaurant and experiencing it,” he says. “I’m now sitting with you, and there is nobody else in the room— but indirectly, I’m interacting with a lot of people: people dining at Louise, Estro; having a drink at Salisterra [at The Upper House].” He sometimes likes to keep an eye on the hotels and restaurants he has designed too: “I do enjoy going back and seeing how it has matured, whether it’s working well.”

Persistence has also been the key to his work, he adds. “You have to believe in what you believe in—if not, you deviate. Once you start to deviate, the heart and the soul of the project will be gone.” It comes in different ways: in sustaining “that drive, that momentum”, in the design process in the studio; and in staying aligned with the original vision: “knowing what you want to achieve and being persistent with it”.

NOW READ

Can AI impact architecture? Hong Kong airport architect Norman Foster says it cannot

Designer and architect Nelson Chow on the importance of knowing how to dream

Industry veteran Victor Lo on how good design can transform cities and enhance people’s lives