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Hung’s current focus is furniture design, which might seem like quite a radical change
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Architect Alan Hung founded his own studio in 2018 after working for a decade on large-scale projects like international conference centres, mixed-use retail and office towers, residential towers and single-family homes.
Hung worked for internationally renowned architectural firms like Coop Himmelb(l)au in Vienna and UNStudio in Shanghai. In Vancouver, where he’s been based for the past nine years, he was senior associate at Arno Matis Architecture. It’s fair to say he knows his buildings.
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A switch
Hung’s current focus is furniture design, which might seem like quite a radical change. This was motivated by a feeling that he was becoming less engaged with the world of design over the last number of years. He decided to focus on smaller-scale furniture and products as a starting point for becoming more immersed in design.
Once he embarked on this journey, Hung says he quickly realized the vast potential and countless ideas he could bring to life:
“In 2022, I set a personal challenge for myself: to conceive a new design every week, which I named “Design Vitamin Weekly.” By the end of the year, I had created 32 unique designs, ranging from proposals for B.C. electric vehicle decals, vases, dinnerware, and beer bottles to my friend’s office renovation, a pendant necklace for my wife, lamps, chairs, tables, outdoor sculptures and more,” he says.
Hung is currently working on several furniture design projects in collaboration with brands in Italy and Japan. These designs will be debuted at furniture fairs like Salone del Mobile and ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair).
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It’s not about size
Hung says he does not want to restrict himself to one particular type of design or project scale. For him, it’s about coming up with innovative solutions.
Exhibiting in France
Hung’s Ging collection (a chair and table crafted from solid wood that took three years to perfect) was unveiled at Maison and Objet in Paris earlier this year.
“What sets these pieces apart is their organic esthetic and the meticulous attention to detail in the joints, designed to be almost invisible,” he says.
Hung used advanced CNC (computer numerical control) technology and traditional woodworking for the Ging collection.
It’s a collection that embodies his design philosophy (combining the latest tech with traditional methods) and reflects the evolving landscape of contemporary furniture design, says Hung.
Inspired by…
The world around him, he says. Flowers, while out walking and the free movement of the river.
Every aspect of his life offers an opportunity for creative exploration, says Hung, and taking an interdisciplinary approach to design fuels his passion and drives him to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
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Hung says he’s definitely inspired by architecture. Though his current focus is furniture design, there’s priceless value in creating spaces and structures that leave a lasting impact on people’s lives.
“If the right opportunity presents itself, I would eagerly return to architectural projects, bringing with me the fresh perspective and creative energy that my furniture design journey has provided,” he says.
Accolades
Since launching Alan Hung Studio, Hung has been awarded the Gold Award in the Muse Design Award, the Feeel Design Award, the A’ Design Award, and the Red Dot Award in 2021, 2022 and 2023, including the prestigious Best of the Best Award in 2022.
He was also named Western Living Furniture Designer of the Year Award this year.
“I am deeply grateful for these recognitions and remain committed to delivering outstanding work,” he says.
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