The creative process of each project is a journey in itself.
André Fu, founder of André Fu Studio and André Fu Living, is the go-to designer for luxury hotels such as the Upper House in Hong Kong, renowned for blending Eastern and Western influences. The University of Cambridge-educated designer has had another stellar year, launching several projects and furniture lines, including the much-anticipated Capella Taiwan.
What does design mean to you?
To me, the creative process of each project is a journey in itself. In some ways, I describe it as my idea of “travelling” – to immerse myself in the culture and the dynamics of a destination that I may or may not be familiar with, and to eventually navigate a narrative to tell a story of the location through my designs.
How did you view the Taipei market and how was the experience?
I still recall flaneuring around local neighbourhoods and wandering into the lush tree-lined Dunhua North Road where the hotel fondly resides. I was absorbed by the poetic environment – an antithesis to the urbanity one might typically perceive of Taipei. My vision translates relaxed luxury into a quietly curated private mansion, incorporating contemporary touches and cultural nuances. Echoing the spirit of this “modern mansion” – I have conjured up an intricate dialogue between bespoke luxury and a cultural legacy with a vision to carve the space into a serious of intimate pockets – each articulated with design accents, yet linked with a thread of shared aesthetics. I would describe my interpretation of Taipei’s essence as manifesting in the interplay of urban dynamism and moments of contemplative stillness, a duality woven seamlessly throughout the hotel.
I would describe my interpretation of Taipei’s essence as manifesting in the interplay of urban dynamism and moments of contemplative stillness, a duality woven seamlessly throughout the hotel.
How does the hotel reflect your relaxed luxury style?
I believe I have never considered “relaxed luxury” as a style – it is merely a pursuit for authenticity in my designs. Within the hotel experience, I am longing to create a dialogue between familiarity and unfamiliarity – and a genuine feeling the hotel truly evokes a poetic dialogue with the city of Taipei – perhaps I could describe it as a way for me to connect with the city and expresses how I see Taipei.
Any other projects that are meaningful?
The Emory in London, the Waldorf Astoria Osaka, and the St. Regis Shenzhen Baoan.
André Fu Studio
andrefustudio.com
