CLAD people
Andre Fu
Founder, AFSO - project St Regis Hong Kong
Design practice AFSO have created interior spaces at the St Regis Hong Kong, a recently opened resort that has been likened to a “curated mansion”.
Located in the city’s Wan Chai district, the 27-storey flagship – the first venue from the St Regis Hotels and Resorts hospitality group to debut in Hong Kong – features 129 guest rooms and suites as well as a pool, bar, tea room, terrace, and a health club with spa and gym amenities.
On-site dining outlets include the L’Envol, a French eatery; and Rùn, a restaurant specialising in Cantonese cuisine.
“The overall idea was to create a curated mansion that would recall both the New York of the original St Regis and the culture and heritage of Hong Kong. I wanted to go deeper than the stereotypical concept of lanterns, junks and temples and tap into my own memories of the city,” Andre Fu told CLAD. “I was born in Hong Kong and so designing the St Regis made me question exactly what my home town means to me.
“With the extensive proportion of solid grey marble and bronze utilised throughout, there is a strong sense of masculinity and boldness that somewhat embraces the New York Gotham aesthetics to me. The injection of sage greens, emerald and burnt orange in high gloss lacquer and the expressive artwork from the likes of Hong Kong artist Chris Huen and the intriguing canvas work of Donna Hunca contribute to a flair that I am seeking to conjure – the feeling of a personally curated mansion.”
The hotel’s main showpiece – a vibrantly coloured, WPA-style mural that hangs behind the bar – illustrates the city’s international legacy as a nucleus of trade and commerce.
From climate change to resource scarcity, Exploration Architecture uses biomimicry to address some of the world’s major challenges. Its founder tells us how
