Driven by a desire to create deeply personal environments, Amanda, founder and creative director of AMP Design Co, views design as a thoughtful translation between space and its inhabitants.
“It goes beyond the celebration of aesthetics,” she explains. Rooted in the belief that culture must always be celebrated, she now hopes to take this narrative-driven approach beyond individual projects, with an aspiration to bring designers together and elevate Asia’s rich design heritage globally.
Please tell us about your firm?
With over two decades of experience, AMP Design Co is a boutique studio operating across Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. At our core is the philosophy of “Fusion Design”—an approach that integrates a client’s personality, lifestyle, and aspirations into a cohesive spatial narrative. By blending Southeast Asian influences with contemporary sensibilities, we treat every project as a unique story, creating immersive, human-centered environments that resonate on a deeply personal level while maintaining timeless relevance.
When translating the rich heritage of Southeast Asia, how do you ensure the final design feels alive and modern?
For me, heritage is not a style to be applied, but a story to be interpreted. The goal isn’t to replicate the past, but to distill what makes it meaningful—whether that is proportion, materiality, or craftsmanship.
I approach projects by identifying the essence of cultural references—like Southeast Asian spatial layering, rich textures, or indoor-outdoor living—and reinterpreting them for contemporary lifestyles. By balancing this heritage with the client’s unique identity, it becomes one layer of a broader narrative, ensuring the space feels personal rather than thematic.
What are the challenges in translating a client’s personal journey into a space that becomes their unique legacy?
The biggest challenge is translating intangible elements—like memories, values, and aspirations—into physical spaces that feel authentic rather than imposed. Clients often express preferences in fragments, requiring careful listening and the ability to read between the lines.
Another challenge is balancing personal expression with spatial coherence. Not every meaningful reference should be translated directly; my role is to distill, edit, and prioritize.
Finally, there is the question of longevity. By focusing on underlying principles like proportion and materiality rather than fleeting trends, we shape a legacy that feels deeply personal yet refined enough to endure beyond changing tastes.
Which city provides the most inspiration for your designs?
It’s difficult to pinpoint just one. I have always been drawn to the intricate craftsmanship and history of Asian architecture, and fascinated by how merging cultures and colonial influences created distinct aesthetics like Peranakan and Nanyang.
Cities like Penang, Singapore, Melaka, Hong Kong, and Melbourne resonate with me. I am particularly inspired by places where classic architecture coexists with contemporary urban life—where heritage shophouses sit alongside modern interventions.
What’s next for you?
I want to look beyond individual projects and explore how design from this region can have a stronger collective presence. Asia holds an incredible depth of culture and history, but it is often expressed in fragmented ways. My aspiration is to bring Asian designers together through collaborations, products, and shared platforms. I want to help move Asia closer to the epicenter of the global design conversation, creating a unified voice that reflects our diverse backgrounds. Ultimately, it’s about shifting perceptions—positioning Asian design as globally relevant and leading in its own right. After all, culture is never outdated; it should always be celebrated.
Ready to be the next Top 50 and stand out among SEA’s most notable designers?
