The young and ardent duo behind Hong Kong-based 4N Architects brings their vision of timeless designs to the local F&B industry, writes Christie Lee.
November 10th, 2014
Danny Ng and Sinner Sin met in the early 2000s when they were both studying architecture at the University of Melbourne, yet it wasn’t until 2009 when the idea of setting up their own design firm germinated. The first project that 4N Architects nabbed was the residence of a fellow colleague, followed swiftly by a restaurant that their friend had opened. “2011 was really our turning point, when we took on the design for one of Café Deco’s restaurants,” Ng, one-half of the dynamic duo says. Having lent their eye for aesthetics to the interiors of some 30 restaurants in Hong Kong and mainland China, 4N Architects are known today for their time-honoured designs that are firmly rooted in the founders’ awareness of space.
What sets 4N Architects apart from other Hong Kong design firms?
I can’t say we have developed a distinctive style yet, but there is a great synergy between Sinner and I and it comes through in our projects.
How do you approach your projects? What is the key thing you look out for?
Spatial design is key to restaurant design as it has a huge impact not only on the way that the staff and patrons interact, but the flow of energy within the space. I’d also say that our design leans towards the ‘international’ and is relatively masculine, so there are a lot of black and hard surfaces.
What are some challenges specific to restaurant design?
Open kitchens are a huge thing in restaurant design right now but it also presents certain challenges, lighting being one. Kitchens tend to be equipped with cooler florescent lighting while incandescent bulbs, which emit a warmer glow, are used in dining areas. Different cities also have different industry regulations.
You mentioned ‘international’ style. As designers how do you negotiate between the local and international?
By saying that our designs are ‘international’, we aren’t trying to reject anything local. In fact, Hong Kong culture is in itself a hodgepodge of cultures due to the colonial legacy left by the Brits. I think it’s a problem confronting all designers and architects: as the world become more globalised, how do we avoid this sameness that might be spreading across most if not all the cosmopolitan cities. I don’t think anyone has an answer to that yet.
What are some upcoming projects?
Going forward, we hope to expand into movie theatres and luxury hotels. We’re also in talks with the Urban Renewal Authority on a possible collaboration.
4N Architects
4narchitects.com
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
Savage Design’s approach to understanding the relationship between design concepts and user experience, particularly with metalwork, transcends traditional boundaries, blending timeless craftsmanship with digital innovation to create enduring elegance in objects, furnishings, and door furniture.
Marylou Cafaro’s first trendjournal sparked a powerful, decades-long movement in joinery designs and finishes which eventually saw Australian design develop its independence and characteristic style. Now, polytec offers all-new insights into the future of Australian design.
Channelling the enchanting ambience of the Caffè Greco in Rome, Budapest’s historic Gerbeaud, and Grossi Florentino in Melbourne, Ross Didier’s new collection evokes the designer’s affinity for café experience, while delivering refined seating for contemporary hospitality interiors.
Sub-Zero and Wolf’s prestigious Kitchen Design Contest (KDC) has celebrated the very best in kitchen innovation and aesthetics for three decades now. Recognising premier kitchen design professionals from around the globe, the KDC facilitates innovation, style and functionality that pushes boundaries.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
From the trailblazer of Spanish industrial design comes a new collection of recycled rugs – a powerful exploration of the concept of waste, a keen celebration of imperfection, and a new underfoot symbol of responsible design.
Drawing on the concept of a watering hole as a gathering place in nature, GroupGSA has rejuvenated Sydney Water’s headquarters located in Parramatta.