Born in Indonesia and raised in Singapore, Amanda Gunawan knew that she needed to be an architect by the point she was 10 years senior, and he or she rigorously mapped out her journey from then on. Journey was a key factor of her enrichment as she thought-about varied buildings whereas learning on the Southern California Institute of Structure (SCI-Arc). One explicit constructing, nonetheless, made an enduring impression.
Gunawan analyzed the Tama Artwork College Library in Japan by way of books and pictures, however to view it in particular person, she needed to make a 45-minute trek throughout a rainstorm. But nothing may have ready her for the expertise she had on the website. “I had by no means felt extra impressed to change into an architect,” she says. “Seeing the immense effort from each stakeholder attain such a stage of perfection – and understanding it was achievable – stuffed me with a way of assurance not like something I’d ever felt earlier than.”
The Los Angeles-based design and construct agency OWIU Design (Solely Means Is Up Design) was based in 2018. The brainchild of Gunawan and Joel Wong, the duo and their workers tackle a spread of tasks, from furnishings design to interiors and landscaping.
On the studio, there may be little distinction between work and residential areas, which fosters camaraderie among the many group. Even team-building is relaxed, with actions going down on the kitchen counter inside the workplace. It’s no shock then that OWIU Items, the agency’s housewares line, started as an off-the-cuff pastime when the staff signed up for a membership at a close-by ceramics studio.
“Our inside design shoppers started requesting particular ceramic items for his or her houses, so increasing in that course simply made sense for us,” Gunawan notes. “Earlier than we knew it, everybody grew to become so invested, and what began as petite customized tasks was tons of, and finally, 1000’s of orders. All of it occurred regularly and felt very natural.”
At this time, Amanda Gunawan joins us for Friday 5!
Beniya Mukayu is a shocking ryokan (Japanese-style inn) situated within the Ishikawa Prefecture of Japan. What units this place aside is its deep dedication to artwork and design. Staying right here seems like being in an artwork museum, with each factor thoughtfully curated to create a novel expertise of residing with/ being surrounded by artwork. The ryokan options each constant and rotating installations by famend Japanese artists like Kenya Hara and Tatsuo Miyajima, mixing artwork with on a regular basis life like having fun with breakfast beside a relaxing set up, or enjoyable in a library the place the set up is a part of the environment. The interiors are full of designer furnishings and objects are scattered all through the rooms and shared areas, including to the aesthetic enchantment. It’s each a calming and provoking place and I at all times have such a memorable expertise. To not point out this ryokan has one of the best kaiseki meal (coursed Japanese model dinner) of any ryokans I’ve been to. The pictures are each taken by me.
Picture: Official Berlin Marathon
2. Operating
Operating is an integral a part of my life and has very a lot formed me into who I’m right this moment. It’s a fixed in my life – it’s there, it’s accessible for me. I can do it each time I need, wherever I need, so long as I’ve obtained a pair of sneakers. In that means, it’s virtually meditative. Once I’m operating, I really feel like I’m transported to a unique world, a type of vortex the place I’m alone with my ideas and fully in tune with my physique. It’s taught me a lot about life, bringing me face-to-face with a few of my hardest however most critical, truths. Operating brings out components of myself I may not at all times discover and helps me perceive myself higher. It’s constructed my sense of consistency and belief via self-discipline and a dedication to complete mighty. Nevertheless it’s additionally taught me to be forgiving, to keep in mind that, like operating, life is a journey with ups and downs. The important thing isn’t to maintain rating, however to benefit from the course of.
On that observe, I’m completely obsessive about the model ON. I’m proud to say I used to be an early adopter – I first found them after they had a petite sales space at a 5K run I joined in Singapore. I obtained my very first pair of ON sneakers there, and I’ve been hooked ever since. I’ve often “cheated” on that pair with different manufacturers and at all times find yourself coming again. The model has developed a lot since then, and it’s effortless to see why. They consistently shock their followers, pushing the boundaries within the operating world with cutting-edge expertise and a few of the coolest merchandise. Their selection of celeb endorsements is so spot-on, and their artistic artistic campaigns are at all times tremendous contemporary. Not even exaggerating – I’ve purchased round 20 pairs of ON sneakers through the years and satisfied a bunch of my associates to leap on board too. And actually, regardless of having so many pairs, I’m at all times nonetheless bought on the latest launch as a result of every one has a brilliant frigid design I’ve by no means seen earlier than.
That is the final word useful resource guide for something and all the pieces associated to residential tasks. Watching Native Venture movies has change into a part of my wind-down routine earlier than mattress – their content material is so superbly shot and calming. They curate a collection of essentially the most gorgeous tasks on the market and seize them in a means that’s virtually poetic, with a cinematic contact. Their espresso desk books are a few of my favorites – I’ve them each at dwelling and in my workplace, and I flip via them each time I want a fast dose of inspiration. It’s additionally my default present for folks after I want to seek out one in low discover.
Flos is my absolute favourite lighting firm proper now! I’ve obtained seven of their lights simply in my dwelling alone. They create useful artwork via lighting, remodeling any house into one thing that seems like a museum, with every bit resembling an artwork set up. I like sitting at dwelling, simply taking within the view of my Flos items. Their lights undergo an in depth course of from idea to launch, with a lot consideration poured into perfecting each element, and it actually reveals.
Once I first noticed Chidy’s art work, I knew I needed a bit for my dwelling. His artwork is daring, lively and deeply evocative whereas remaining uncomplicated exploring themes of human connection. Each bit evokes uncooked power with layered textures. It was one factor to see his work on a pc display screen and one other fully completely different expertise seeing them in particular person, in all of its grandeur, with all the little intricacies and particulars rigorously hidden behind the daring strokes.
Picture: Justin Chung
Picture: Justin Chung
Picture: Finbarr Fallon
Picture: Justin Chung
Picture: Finbarr Fallon
Picture: Alexandra Lopez
Picture: Nastassia Brukin
