André Fu is the go-to designer for luxury hotels, having crafted iconic properties in Hong Kong such as The Upper House and St. Regis Hong Kong. Known for weaving local cultural elements into his work, his latest Dusit Thani Bangkok stands as a prime example. Fu also has a role to play in furniture design through collaborations with luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, while helming his own label, André Fu Living.
What does luxury mean to you, and how is this definition reflected in the design and experience of this hotel?
Dusit Thani Bangkok is indeed our proudest project of 2024. We started with a vision to create a hotel that seeks to celebrate Thai culture on the global stage, and together with Dusit’s creative team, we dug deep into the history and heritage of the original property that opened in 1970 to define its spirit and determine how we could translate this into a contemporary new skyscraper with my personal language of “relaxed luxury”. To me, this project captures a turning point for Thai hospitality.
What has 2024 meant to you?
It has been a demanding year for me both physically and mentally as we have had various key openings that have spanned multiple cities, including Bangkok, London, Taipei, Hong Kong, Osaka, Aix-en-Provence and Shanghai. I have also been more cautious with my wellbeing – taking some personal time to allow myself to rejuvenate, explore and spend quality time with friends.
Can you name a book, movie, or music track that has significantly inspired your designs?
I have always enjoyed the music by Italian composer Piero Piccioni – it transports me into a cinematic world of wondrous charm.
It’s been impossible to ignore the surge in artificial intelligence this year. How do you see this game-changer shaping – or disrupting – the interior design industry?
I am fully aware of the influence of artificial intelligence, yet I have kept my approach to design authentic. I guess it will eventually integrate into design programmes to generate basic frameworks, which could then be refined.
Are there any new projects in the pipeline?
2025 will mark the 25th year of my studio – with a number of key projects, including Osaka’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel, the Capella Taipei, and the St. Regis Bao'an Shenzhen.
