Interviews with Marty Chou

I have worked in architecture field for 18 years. I started out as an intern designer in major architecture firms in Taiwan, and gradually, switch to smaller scale design-led studio to work on both architecture and interior design. Since 2013, I started my own practice.

Architecture is the only subject that I’m interested in when I applied University, although I had no clue what that is about back then. My interest in designing space grew gradually, especially during the time when I was studying master degree in Columbia university in New York, where I searched my identity as a designer and trained my eyes through photography.

I draw a lot. Pen, sketchbook, tracing paper is my essential tools when design. It is the quickest way I can put down my vision and revise it as I may. I try to keep my design simple. If one line can do, there won’t be two. And lastly, I try to be clear. If I can be as simple as possible, then the message in the design should be clear and understandable.

I love the beginning of design phase, because everything can be tested and it is exciting. The middle is mixed with enjoyment and anxiety, because I am often on the brink of finding solution of everything. Satisfaction at the end happened when I found the way of transforming function into art.

I think being an Asian and had lived in both eastern and western continent influence me psychologically and culturally. I learn that we are all equal and at the same time so different, which allows me to open up my vision and at the same time knowing what I should be focusing on.

I don’t think too far. I focus on what I have right now, and to do my best, for every opportunity I come across. And I hope one day, I could design my own house on a piece of land, for my family.

Focus on the necessary, and abandon the rest, when you design. Always question yourself: “what, and why, am I design for?”

Don’t copy. Be Original.

Fixing problems on site for one project, while thinking about possibilities of design for other projects. That is my daily routine. There is never a boring business day…

I do not follow trend, because it is destined to be outdated.

A good design should appear clear conceptually without a designer explaining.

I stop my design when there is nothing I can subtract and the remaining are the most necessary, and yet everything is harmonious and beautiful as a whole.

KT apartment. It is my 2017 residential interior project. It has an unconventional space arrangement for a young couple in a limited 60 square-meter space. There are not many materials and it is mostly a white space with wooden floor, but you can feel the freedom of space and flowing of light, which give you a sense of being in a bigger space. It is a small project, but it is the optimum solution given its limited given condition and available resources.

Peter Zumthor is my favorite architect/designer. His design is simple and yet rich. One can not see trend in his design, but only timelessness. And If I could talk to a past architect, I would want to talk to Le Corbusier.

I live in Taipei, Taiwan now. Having lived in both eastern and western continent, and now back to my home country, I found Taipei to be an extremely livable city, although it is not the most beautiful place on earth. It is a mixture of good and bad, which give me opportunity to be part of the force to make it a better place.

I work alone at this point. My projects are small interior projects, mostly dwelling. I treat my client with honesty, and hope they treat me back the same way, because I think that is the only way we can work together to complete a “home”. If I would have a partner or colleagues, honesty is what value the most to. And most of all, albeit all the hard work and tedious issue we face, we have to be optimistic and stay happy, in order to produce good design.

I think everyone should contribute to their society in their own way. I did my service by spending time teaching Architecture in University, to foster the young, and hopefully one day, they will contribute to the greater good too.

Being a designer today is very competitive. Participating award and competition is a good way to learn where you are and where you may be in the design field. This is the first time I participated in A’Design award, I hope it can give me better exposure to the world and open up new opportunities in the future.

In the beginning, the owner of this apartment, an elegant and beautiful lady, told me: “I’d like to live in a place, where its ambiance is ambiguous, less like a home, more like a sanctuary in dream, where I could be isolated and indulged with my on-going collections in this timeless, sacred space.” During the design process, she obtained a new collection, a mermaid statue. Its serene quality caught me and my mind started to evolve around her.

I wanted the Mermaid to become the focal point and anchor of the space, the tone of the ambiance, and the source of the material palette for the space. So at the end, the entire space is the extend-dimension of the Mermaid.

I hope it can be shared with people who love it around the world.

6 months for design phase.

It is commissioned solely to me.

This design is custom-made to this particular client.

I design this particular type of work because the client has unique taste and she trusted me that I can deliver what she asks for. And most of all, this design language is something I have not try before.

This design is custom-made to this particular client.

Usually, design tends to add and accumulate ornament, this design elevates ornament as spatial inspiration.

The name of this residential interior design, The Mermaid, is inspired directly by the owner’s collection, and it is also the spatial inspiration of the design.

Pen and sketchbook.

I try to be simple and clear.

Simple and clear.

We spend a lot of time testing and selecting the right materials and approach to achieve the mermaid-inspired palette and atmosphere. The color palette is seemingly monochrome, but it is actually filled with a hint of vivid colors. The atmosphere is seemingly light and airy, but the space is actually formed by a series of heavy masses and rigid geometry.

This is my first time designing space with ornament and classical language. I learn a great deal of how to use ornament not merely as decorative object, but elevate it to be the space-driven concept.

I received my bachelor of architecture in University of Toronto, Canada, and Master of Science in advanced architectural design from Columbia University, New York, USA.

I am interested in how people interact with space, and how space could alter or improve our life.

My interest of architecture and space grew during my study, and it had since become my passion.

I design architecture and interior space. I am interested in creating residential space, and I would like to work on more of residential interior space or single-family-house architectural design.

Work hard.

A good designer makes beautiful design. A great designer creates inspirational design.

When you can see a clear concept without the designer explaining.

A good design balances function and form, and it elevate and stimulate our senses and mind.

I would design a house for my family.

The dream project I haven’t yet had the time to realize is my own house.

I don’t have a secret recipe, but I do try to keep my design simple and straight-forward.

I am very inspired by the work of Peter Zumthor and David Chipperfield.

Peter Zumthor’s Therme vals spa. It is so simple but so rich.

KT apartment. It is my 2017 residential interior project. It has an unconventional space arrangement for a young couple in a limited 60 square-meter space. There are not many materials and it is mostly a white space with wooden floor, but you can feel the freedom of space and flowing of light, which give you a sense of being in a bigger space. It is a small project, but it is the optimum solution given its limited given condition and available resources.

I think a good designer should be able to present their concept in an understandable and perceivable manner, so I work very hard to make my design simple and clear.

If I hadn’t become a designer, I would have become a teacher.

To abstract function into art.

My family is my biggest supporter.

Self-discipline and constant observing help me improve as a designer.

Lack of technical knowledge and cultural understanding, poor time-management and naïve communication skills.

Designer should present their work in keeping with their design concept.

More residential design is coming soon. And I am hoping to keep creating new housing concept and dwelling environment.

I wish my ultimate goal as a designer is to share the thought with people and the developers that there are so many ways of living, and to embrace new possibilities of how we could live in urban environment.

Exceptional design quality.

Creative design solves problem, so as society’s issue.

An unconventional small family apartment space.

KT apartment. It is my 2017 residential interior project. It has a unconventional space arrangement for a young couple in a limited 60 square-meter space. There are not many materials used and it is mostly a white space with wooden floor, but you can feel the freedom of space and flowing of light, which give you a sense of being in a bigger space.

I think the design field has evolve to a point where there is no more diversity but only similarity due to the inevitable globalization. Designers and clients might need to focus more on the basic, in order to find new path.

Not for the rich, but for the necessary.

It usually takes 6 months to finalize a design.

I start with studying the given site condition and analyze client’s need.

Simple and clear.

I think trends set the designs nowadays, which I am opposed to.

Technology can only help our life to a point where things became easier and move convenient, but it can not solve everything.

CAD, Photoshop.

Color, materials and light, their harmonious balance is crucial to create the ambience of space.

Anything they are interested in.

I would be interested in knowing the back story of how they come up with the concept of the design.

Someone who can help me run the company, so I can concentrate on design.

My client’s personality and interests are influential on my design.

Work hard and try new things.

Albert Einstein.

My favorite color is white. My favorite food is Taiwanese local food. My favorite season is winter.

A design problem solved could make my day. A client’s smile could make my day.

Not obvious.

Co-exist with other being in the universe.

My work, and what my work focuses on, which is the beauty of simplicity.

I received my bachelor of architecture in University of Toronto, Canada, and Master of Science in advanced architectural design from Columbia University, New York, USA. My interest of architecture and space grew during my study, and it had since become my passion.

My studio is dedicated to pursue the art of clarity and the beauty of simplicity in architecture.

To abstract function into art.

Residential space.

KT apartment. It is my 2017 residential interior project. It has an unconventional space arrangement for a young couple in a limited 60 square-meter space. There are not many materials and it is mostly a white space with wooden floor, but you can feel the freedom of space and flowing of light, which give you a sense of being in a bigger space. It is a small project, but it is the optimum solution given its limited given condition and available resources.

A outdoor swimming pool of a hotel resort.

I love wood and stone, natural material.

When I get enough sleeping hour.

To simplify the complicated, and the harmony of space and light

Mostly calm, but sometimes anxious.

Satisfied.

When you can see a clear concept without the designer explaining.

Clear concept.

Make more with less, and do none if necessary.

I think the design field has evolve to a point where there is no more diversity but only similarity due to the inevitable globalization. Designers and clients might need to focus more on the basic, in order to find new path.

My inspiration mostly come from the people I design for. Their distinct personality plays an important part of my inspiration.

Simplicity. I’m fascinated with doing more with less, not in an extreme minimal way, but in a more relax way. Space with simple line create a profoundly serene experience.

I live in Taipei, Taiwan. It is a modern city with its own chaos. I strive to be counter of that because of that.

Extensive communication.

Study the designer's work before selecting.

I try not to be led by the clients, instead, come up with an abstract spatial solution that solve the clients’ practical needs.

Eams LCM, Uniqlo Clothing, mac book pro, iphone, and my daughter's lego.

brainstorming 24 hrs.

The responsibility of shaping today’s world is in your hands

We are 24 hrs living in our dream, and it is exhausted.

Simplify and Clarify.

The eye of seeing.

Pen and sketchbook.

Always being chased by time. So we got to learn to stop and move on.

As long as it takes, Sometimes 3 months, 6 months, or longer.

Can you get me a designer discount?

My practice with Ho+Hou studio architects.

All private clients.

Design task with open minded clients are the work I enjoy most. Because they aren’t afraid to try new thing, which give me freedom when I create.

I wish to diversity my project type, and keep designing.

I develop my design myself.

An unique residential project for a young couple with very distinct mind-set. I have full support from them to create another unconventional residential space, it is unlike anything we have seen and I am very looking forward to it.

website: www.martychou.com

email: m.chou@martychou.com