Akira Back Four Seasons Seoul Andre Fu
Cover The interiors of Akira Back Seoul, at the Four Seasons Seoul (André Fu Studios)

Hong Kong's brightest minds have left their mark on some of the most beautiful buildings and interiors in Asia and beyond

It must take a lot of ingenuity to work with the dense urban setting and produce buildings, hotels, offices and living spaces that balance functionality with aesthetics, all while maximising limited space. Somehow, despite these challenges, Hong Kong continues to be one of the world’s most unforgettable cities, with a skyline as dynamic as it is iconic.

Little wonder that architecture and design in Hong Kong is known around the world, and its brightest minds have begun to leave their mark on some of the most beautiful buildings and interiors elsewhere in Asia and beyond. While their styles vary widely, Hong Kong’s leading architects and interior designers seem to have some commonalities: there is a shared focus on sustainability, a drive for constant innovation and a fluency in the language of comfort and luxury. 

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André Fu , founder, André Fu Design

Tatler Asia
Andre Fu Studio
Above André Fu , founder, André Fu Design

Designer André Fu skyrocketed to prominence with the success of Hong Kong’s Upper House Hotel in 2009, despite being a young designer with a small studio who lacked hospitality experience at the time. His signature style, a blend of comfort-forward minimalism and elegance, established him among the elite in high-end design, with a portfolio that now includes luxury hotels like Kerry Hotel, St Regis, Fullerton Bay, Andaz, and Waldorf Astoria, showcasing his ability to create spaces that exude a sense of tranquility. Fu’s résumé now includes collaborations with Louis Vuitton, significant contributions to the Hong Kong Palace Museum, and his own brand, André Fu Living, all of which underline his multifaceted impact on the design landscape.

Read more about André Fu on Asia’s Most Influential

Tony Chi, designer

Tatler Asia
Tony Chi
Above Tony Chi, designer

Renowned designer Tony Chi, born in Taiwan and based in New York, has left an indelible mark on the global hospitality landscape through his decades in the industry. See, for example, his work on the interiors of Rosewood Hong Kong and Rosewood London, the Mandarin Oriental Guangzhou, or the Andaz properties in Tokyo, Shenzen or New York: all of which are stunning representations of Chi’s talent for melding understated luxury with comfort, while also reflecting a powerful sense of place.

Read Tony Chi’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential

Betty Ng , founder, COLLECTIVE

Tatler Asia
Betty Ng Collective HK
Above Betty Ng , founder, COLLECTIVE

At the architecture firm COLLECTIVE, founder Betty Ng leads a diverse team across Hong Kong, Madrid, and London. Conceptualised as a studio that “practices design as a methodology, instead of a style”, Ng’s visionary approach ensures each project—which includes Valextra Honolulu, ONS New York and  Christie's APAC Headquarters—is a unique masterpiece. Ng’s dedication to arts and culture is evident through her teaching at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and collaborations on significant projects like Art Intelligence Global's gallery. A graduate of Cornell and Harvard, she holds roles in architectural committees, exemplifying her influence in global design, education, and cultural development.

Read more about Betty Ng on Asia’s Most Influential

Rocco Yim, principal, Rocco Design Architects Associates

Tatler Asia
Rocco Yim Architects
Above Rocco Yim, principal, Rocco Design Architects Associates

As the principal of Rocco Design Architects Associates, Rocco Yim has helped sculpt Hong Kong’s iconic skyline with his work on many of the city’s most recognisable buildings. With over 100 projects locally, including the Central Government Complex in Tamar and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, Yim has an equally impressive portfolio in mainland China, having worked on the Guangdong Museum, the Baoan Cultural Complex and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen. “I’m interested in making use of architecture to improve the working of the city. We work for the greater good,” Yim told Tatler in 2021. “We can’t just concentrate on our own little piece of work; we have to look at how it influences its surroundings and creates opportunities for its neighbours.”

Read Rocco Yim’s full profile on Asia’s Mot Influential

Joyce Wang, founder and principal, Joyce Wang Studio

Tatler Asia
Joyce Wang Studio
Above Joyce Wang, founder and principal, Joyce Wang Studio

Renowned interior designer Joyce Wang is known for luxury and innovation, with her eponymous studio spanning Hong Kong and London. Renowned for iconic projects like Mott 32 and the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park penthouse, her creativity extends globally: the studio has completed work on the Magarigawa Club, a new luxury driving club for car enthusiasts in Japan, along with Mott 32 outposts in Cebu, Sydney and Dubai. Wang and her team are working on the Rosewood San Francisco, one of their biggest projects to date. Closer to home, Wang created Dockside Dairy on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront and collaborated on the restored Central Magistracy in Tai Kwun. The studio, not limited to interiors, has also unveiled Flint, a stunning collection of Italian-made terrazzo accessories, lighting, and furniture.

Read more about Joyce Wang on Asia’s Most Influential

 


Tatler Asia’s Most Influential is the definitive list of people shaping our world today. Asia’s Most Influential brings together the region's most innovative changemakers, industry titans and thought leaders who are driving positive impact in Asia and beyond. View the full list here.

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