As the creative set descends upon Hong Kong for Art Basel’s annual presentation in the city, an increasing amount of satellite fairs, events, and activations have earned these final days of March a proper “Art Week” classification. While this influx of activity tends to remain art-focused—unlike the fair’s Miami counterpart, which has grown to attract global leaders in fashion, music, hospitality, design, and more—the city boasts a vibrant creative landscape steeped in a rich cultural heritage from which such interdisciplinary initiatives could certainly grow. After Art Week Hong Kong, and ahead of Salone in Milan next week, we’re looking at five Hong Kong Designers to keep on your radar.
Joyce Wang Studio
Courtesy Carna by Dario Cecchini.
Joyce Wang Studio is an interior design practice with offices in Hong Kong and London whose portfolio ranges from homes and hotels to private members clubs and coworking spaces. Founder Joyce Wang, an MIT and RCA graduate, draws upon her architectural and materials science background to develop spaces that evoke cultural and emotional connections.
Recent examples of her deftly and deeply detailed design language include The Magistracy Dining Room, a collaboration with Black Sheep Restaurants where Wang restored and reimagined Hong Kong’s former judicial house into a luxurious, old-London-like dining environment. Nearby within the highly anticipated Mondrian Hotel, Wang opted for a warmer, more maximalist feel at CARNA by Dario Cecchini, one of the city’s latest Michelin-awarded restaurants.
LAAB
The interior of comma, LAAB’s community space for coffee, art, and architecture, courtesy of LAAB.
LAAB is a multidisciplinary design studio known for its innovative approach to architecture, interiors, and public space. Led by Otto Ng and Chun Hang Yip, the studio explores the intersection of technology, sustainability, and design. Their projects often employ advanced fabrication techniques and environmentally conscious materials.
In 2024, the firm was charged with designing Hong Kong Eco-Pavilion at Maison&Objet Paris, constructed using 3D-printed bricks made from recycled PET bottles and aluminum. The firm works flexibly at a variety of scales. For example, their recent completion of Mosu, the restaurant at Hong Kong’s M+ Museum, includes a cohesive interior design down to the custom pendant lights, tables, and chairs, produced in conjunction with Stellar Works. Last year the firm also started commaa—a cultural space that connects people with specialty coffee, art, and architecture.
Sim-Plex Design Studio
Courtesy of Sim-Plex Design Studio.
The designers at Sim-Plex Design Studio have mastered the art of small-space living. In response to the city’s ultra-tight apartment footprints, the company develops transformable, flexible, and multifunctional design solutions to maximize the utility of spaces. Founded by architect Patrick Lam, the solutions present an innovative balance of function and aesthetics.
In a recent project, the design studio converted a double-height living space into a meditation loft, complete with an automated electric stair and mood lighting. Outfitted with smart home technology, eco-friendly materials, and sustainable construction, each efficient design intervention is thoughtfully and carefully considered.
New Office Works (NOW)
Courtesy of NOW.
New Office Works (NOW), co-founded by Paul Tse and Evelyn Ting, is an architecture and design studio dedicated to contextual and community-centered design. Their projects span public spaces, commercial interiors, and residential environments, with an emphasis on connecting historical narratives with contemporary design solutions.
A recipient of the prestigious Architecture Masterprize and recognized in Architectural Record’s 2024 Design Vanguard, the young practice recently completed a striking new addition to Hong Kong’s waterfront. The Cheung Sha Wan Pier Canopy provides a shaded public gathering space while echoing the area’s industrial heritage. Designed to echo the informal aggregation of boats once docked along the harbor, the undulating steel canopy offers shade and shelter while utilizing a varied-height design to create opportunities for passive cooling and cross-ventilation. During the day, sunlight filters through the gaps, casting dynamic shadows, while at night, the illuminated structure forms a glowing silhouette above the water.
NC Design + Architecture Ltd. (NCDA)
Courtesy NC Design + Architecture Ltd.
NC Design + Architecture Ltd. (NCDA) is an architectural design studio specializing in residential, commercial, and hospitality projects. Their multidisciplinary approach spans interiors, bespoke furniture, product design, graphic design, and the development of exclusive brand narratives.
A recent example of this story-telling approach is the Garden Pavilion, a VIP Lounge located in the heart of Hong Kong’s shopping district. The project features two distinct areas: a public sculpture garden characterized by a flowing ivory landscape, and a private VIP Lounge defined by a series of elegantly curved ivory walls. The undulating forms and marble details evoke the serenity of nature. The plastered ceiling, etched with patterns reminiscent of raked gravel in a sand garden, and the sculptural sconces and tables resembling garden rocks, further blur the line between natural inspiration and architectural expression.
