In a short span of 10 years, Andre Fu has blazed a trail in the Asian design scene with one high profile project after another. And when one considers that Fu launched his career with studio AFSO while still at UK’s Cambridge University in 2000 – where he read architecture – his accomplishments take on new gravity.

A Bespoke Journey chronicles some of his most important works. “I have always called my career in design a journey, but more importantly, I would describe each of my projects as unique – be it the process, or ultimately when customers enter to discover their own sense of journey,” says the fresh-faced Fu.

Andre Fu’s first book, A Bespoke Journey. Photo courtesy of AFSO

“The book contains 12 of my most significant projects to date. I hope that the book will also provide the reader with an understanding of the way I approach my designs, and the sensitivity that is provoked within.”

Nadaman Japanese restaurant in Shangri-la Hotel, Tokyo. Photos courtesy of Nacasa & Partners

Fu became an international sensation with an early project designing the Opia restaurant in Hong Kong’s boutique hotel Jia. Since then the ’boy wonder’, as he has been called, has followed this up with a string of other significant commissions – restaurants Nadaman and Azure, as well as large hospitality projects such as the design of Singapore’s Fullerton Bay Hotel and Hong Kong’s The Upper House.

The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore. Photo courtesy of Michael Weber

“I have always described myself as an approach driven, rather than a style-driven designer. My designs are conceptualised through an in-depth discussion with the client – to share the overall vision. I believe that a good design should always tell a story,” says Fu.

He goes on to describe what he calls ’the fourth dimension’ in interior design. “It’s the emotional aspect of design – the moment when a 3-dimensional space is able to provoke a certain emotion within.”

Clifford restaurant in The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore

Fu shares that his new book has given him the opportunity to reflect on what he has achieved in the last 10 years, which he says, will help him to “consider the direction” to take his future work.

“I am entrusting myself with the challenge to define a language that better describes luxury in China today – I shall explore this through a line of projects that I am currently working as a collection. A collection that will be unveiled in the next 3 years,” he continues.

The Upper House, Hong Kong. Photo courtesy of Michael Weber

Fu is also collaborating with trendsetting lifestyle store Lane Crawford in Hong Kong on a massive 25,000 sq ft project called The Shoe Library, an in-store concept that will be unveiled later this year.

AFSO
afso.net

Hero image courtesy of Ed Reeves