Marty Chou

Specialized in Interior Design.

Marty Chou

About Marty Chou

Marty Chou received his Bachelor of Architecture in University of Toronto, Canada in 2002, and Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design in Columbia University, New York, USA in 2005. Since 2016, he has been teaching architecture design studio in NTUT, Taipei, Taiwan. “Marty Chou Architecture” was founded in 2013, and has since been dedicated to pursue the art of clarity and the beauty of simplicity in architecture. Works are published in international media and have won the 2017 TID award and 2018 WIN Award

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Interior Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs
  • Interior
The Mermaid Home

The Mermaid Home

Interior Design

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Interview with Marty Chou

Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
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.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
My studio is dedicated to pursue the art of clarity and the beauty of simplicity in architecture.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
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.
What makes a design successful?
When you can see a clear concept without the designer explaining.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
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.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
My inspiration mostly come from the people I design for. Their distinct personality plays an important part of my inspiration.
How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
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.
Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
I live in Taipei, Taiwan. It is a modern city with its own chaos. I strive to be counter of that because of that.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
I try not to be led by the clients, instead, come up with an abstract spatial solution that solve the clients’ practical needs.
What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
Eams LCM, Uniqlo Clothing, mac book pro, iphone, and my daughter's lego.
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
Always being chased by time. So we got to learn to stop and move on.
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
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.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
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.

Designer of the Day Interview with Marty Chou

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
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.
How did you become a designer?
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.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
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.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
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.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
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.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
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.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
Focus on the necessary, and abandon the rest, when you design. Always question yourself: “what, and why, am I design for?”
What is your day to day look like?
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…
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
A good design should appear clear conceptually without a designer explaining.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
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.
What is your biggest design work?
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.
Who is your favourite designer?
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.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
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.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
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.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
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.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
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.

Extended Interview with Marty Chou

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
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.
How did you become a designer?
I am interested in how people interact with space, and how space could alter or improve our life.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
My interest of architecture and space grew during my study, and it had since become my passion.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
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.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
A good designer makes beautiful design. A great designer creates inspirational design.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
When you can see a clear concept without the designer explaining.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
A good design balances function and form, and it elevate and stimulate our senses and mind.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
The dream project I haven’t yet had the time to realize is my own house.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
I don’t have a secret recipe, but I do try to keep my design simple and straight-forward.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
I am very inspired by the work of Peter Zumthor and David Chipperfield.
Who is your favourite designer?
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.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
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.

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