Curated Design: The Aesthetic Development of Simon Chong
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Our principal, Simon Chong, firmly believes that design is not merely a spatial arrangement, but a long-term dialogue with art. From selecting paintings of different styles in Shenzhen in his early years to collecting works by French painter André Brasilier, he understands that art can bring more than just aesthetics to design; it can bring atmosphere, identity, and enduring value. This collecting experience makes his designs more like curatorial works ; each space is not just "arranged," but "narrated," finding a new balance between life and culture
Art has always been an integral part of Simon's design philosophy. More than a decade ago, he made it a habit to incorporate painting and sculpture into his projects, and he visited galleries and museums around the world during his travels, accumulating sensitivity to different styles and cultures. He recalled, "Back then, there weren't many places to buy paintings in Hong Kong, so we specifically selected them from painting companies in Shenzhen. Although their paintings weren't very expensive, they had many different types and styles, which greatly helped us express a space."
The process of collecting also became a way for him to deepen his understanding of art. He exchanged ideas with friends who shared his love of art, discussing painters and styles from different countries, and broadening his horizons through these conversations. "Because I share the same interests with this friend, we would go to see paintings together and become familiar with different types of works." This continuous observation and learning allowed him to more keenly capture cultural differences and aesthetic details when designing. His first important acquisition was a work by the French painter André Brasilier . "When buying paintings, we need to understand the artist's ideas and background, and his paintings will show different changes in each period." He frankly admitted that collecting is both a personal hobby and a careful investment. This attitude allows him to balance aesthetics and long-term value when collecting.
Years of collecting and observation have gradually permeated his design philosophy. He believes that designers who lack an understanding of art cannot truly grasp the needs of a space. In his works, art and design intertwine, forming a curatorial mindset: each space tells a story and perpetuates culture. This mindset extends to his proposed "refined luxury": luxury is not about external accumulation, but about conveying an inner atmosphere. " The 'refined luxury' concept is both a spirit and temperament; it uses both Eastern and Western aesthetics in its elements to convey a restrained yet stunning feeling." Even minimalist spaces can showcase this refined luxury through their atmosphere.
"Designers should build upon their own expertise, expressing mature Western design techniques in a space according to our needs." This cross-cultural perspective allows Simon to find resonance within his team across different contexts. Looking to the future, he believes designers shouldn't just follow trends, but rather create unique projects with limited resources. "People's aesthetic awareness is awakening today, and future interior design should be more personalized and diverse, but this requires designers to create it themselves."
Simon 's story extends to a design philosophy: design is curation, and collecting is cultivation. He uses art as the soul of his spaces, making design more intimately connected to the details of life and culture. The next time we enter a space, we might ask ourselves: What is the "curation" here ? And how does it become a part of our daily lives?
