Ada Ng’s World of Interiors
26 October 2022
CAN Director Ada Ng has over 17 years of professional experience in architecture and interior design. She has demonstrated diversified and comprehensive design capabilities, including large-scale retail complexes, high-end office towers, repositioning projects, and aviation sectors. Championing a belief that design is all about the quality of life, Ada strives to adopt a humancentric design approach that combines practicality and aesthetics, creating a multidimensional experience for visitors to explore and enjoy.
She has been actively involved and led the team to deliver numerous award-winning projects in Asia, including the Ring in Chongqing, the Elements in Hong Kong, IFC Shanghai, Hysan Place, etc. Her design is widely recognized by clients, and she is an influential designer in the industry. Today, we are thrilled to invite Ada to share her world of interiors, explore her design insights and daily life, and witness the power of women’s design.
1. What makes CAN’s Interior Design unique?
Interior design is a broad-ranging profession taking into account all aspects of planning and designing architectural and interior spaces in the built environment. As the carrier of international and human life, it also includes humanities, psychology, society, science, and other factors.
Interior design involves architectural space and environment, and also involves humanities, psychology, society, science and other factors behind it. It is the carrier of interpersonal and revitalizing life. CAN advocates a macro-thinking to carry out the design process. We carried out a thorough site analysis and set a unique brand identity for the entire project, providing a seamless and consistent experience from architecture to interiors and signage. We not only aim to create high-quality public spaces, but also to invigorate the community with culture and bring unique environmental experiences. We tell stories through design and satisfy people’s visual touch and interactive experience.
Our team has a diverse background, drawing on the experience and integrating the innovative thinking of the younger generation. We share unique perspectives and interests in the needs of social phenomena and create tailor-made and forward-thinking design solutions.
2. What will the interior design trends be like in the future?
COVID-19 and climate change have dramatically changed consumption habits, consumer behaviors and attitudes. It has brought a focus on function and flexibility on top of aesthetics as we navigate a new normal. A key trend is for interiors that reflect a greater appreciation of nature, and seamlessly integrated the indoor and outdoor landscape. In order to meet the public’s pursuit of a better life, from the relationship between scale and space, distance, use of materials, to the style of the main atrium and the human touch of the nursery room, the future commercial design will further focus on humanized design, creating a more vibrant living scene and commercial space.
Commercial interior design is a carrier of the city, playing a key role of gathering the public and promoting the prosperity and revival of the city. The value of the shopping mall is no longer limited to the display of goods, but also offering engaging experience that go well beyond traditional shopping. Customers have greater need for public spaces in which to socialise and congregate. Such trends are forcing the mall operators to rethink how they conceive and operate their properties. The developer’s brand image will become increasingly distinct, creating a unique commercial and artistic space based on a specific theme.
3. You studied architecture and further your studies in stage design, how do you think this affects your perception of holistic design?
I graduated from the University of Hong Kong with a degree in architecture, and later furthered my studies in stage design in the UK. Based on architectural thinking, I strive to deliver interior design that brings a comfortable space with humanistic care and experience.
Stage design emphasizes the atmosphere and artistic conception created. It is necessary to have a thorough planning to meet the dynamic needs of different shapes and sizes for different situations. It also adopts a holistic approach to stagecraft that considers all elements of the production design. Besides reflecting to the region, society and history and culture of the script, the stage, costume, lighting, and sound effects are required to be integrated, to pursue the overall visual effect.
Such idea is very similar to our design philosophy of adopting a holistic approach. CAN advocates a macro-thinking to carry out the design process. From architectural design to interiors and environmental graphics and branding, the cross-disciplinary team creates an elevated experience for each design to create a three-dimensional environment.
4. What is your inspiration in life and where do you find it?
I love to play and explore new things. Besides sketching, I like to explore different places with my family and friends, participate in a wide range of activities. Nature is constantly evolving; it is also a main source of inspiration.
I am a mother of two children, and when caring for them, I constantly think about how to create a happy, safe, and livable space for them from their perspective and needs. Their curiosity and imagination have inspired me to push the boundaries of design and enrich the color of the real world. Shopping malls are now positioned as the ‘town center’ of a community, we are progressively seeing more sophisticated kids zone which help activate the space. Play facilities are a key driver and drawcard for families, we consider different details to enhance the vitality and interactivity of shopping malls, to benefits retailers through increased dwell time, increased sales and growth, and overall shopping centre perception.
5. With the expanding interior design team, what is your advice for young designers?
My team is a group of young, passionate, and dynamic designers. I appreciate their versatility, they have lots of interests including coffee brewing, water sports, skateboarding, cooking, planting etc. The are strong advocates of “sharing”. Sharing and communicating with each other is the source of design inspiration from life. I am exceptionally proud of the great chemistry within our team interactions. Staying on top of current trends helps to understand the needs of the public. Interior design needs acute attention to detail, and at the same time meet people’s needs and hobbies for the purpose of creating a comfortable, practical, and healthy living environment. I will encourage young designers to continue to develop their broad interests and explore more. Designers can only integrate art and nature into the designs when they have experienced the connection themselves.
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