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ISSUE 08
$5 CAD¥500

SPECIALEDITION
HONG KONG

ISSN 2817-1276
June 3, 2023

www.merci-magazine.com

THE HINT IS IN THE NAME
Hint, the name of Keith’s retail space is aplay on the first four letters of Hintegro,
his company’s name, which is itself anintegration of his Chinese name HIN and
INTE for interior.

THE PERFECT BALANCE

Atsuro Tayama, Festival Walk, Hong Kong

Keith: A visionary interior designer seamlessly
integrating diverse talents. Lecturer, writer,
curator of exquisite homewares. Redefining
aesthetics, captivating discerning eyes.
The epitome of a modern design virtuoso,
elevating creativity and business to newheights.

THE MATHEMATICS OF DESIGNFor Keith, design is a thinking and problemsolving process… we think, we draw and we
produce prototypes to tackle the problems… This is just like doing integration inmathematics.

COLLABORATION WITH JAPAN

Gallery 29, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

HONG KONG
JAPANHong Kong interior designers come no more focused on the perfection of precision
than Keith Chan, founder of Hintegro. Keith is a designer whose detail-focused
approach has been honed over many years of study and practice.
Born in the 80s in Hong Kong’s Shatin, a new town – founded in the 70s - that also
grew up in the 80s, Keith cites the influence that Japanese pop culture had on him
during his student days in the early noughties at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
As a PolyU Design student, he was exposed to international design movements, themost impactful, drawing him to Japan.

A commission for a whisky bar in Wanchaibrought about Keith’s first collaboration withJapan where the prototype of the bar terrace- a traditional Japanese raked sand gardenwith water and stone elements – was madeto test-bed the installation in situ.

INTERVIEW

I was born and raised in Shatin. I take pride inbeing a ‘local boy’. My ‘local-ness’ gives me aflexible, adaptive perspective.

FROM MINIMALISM TO MAXIMALISM“One design firm that is leading the way
in creating stunning and functional living
spaces is Hintegro where a range of client
briefs from minimalism to maximalism arebrought to life.
THE HINT IS IN THE NAME | KEITH CHAN

“Curves give a sinuous flow toa space, signalling a welcome
to all who enter in.

“Squaring circles is a pleasure in life. Keith is a designer who relishes that challenge. A
growing awareness that Hintegro was spoken of as a practice that focused on residential
projects prompted Keith to expand the practice into hospitality and fashion retail,becoming the first Hong Kong
designer to be commissioned byAtsuro Tayama, the Paris-based
Japanese designer, who now has
three stores in Hong Kong. Keithachieved this given his growing
reputation for managing projects
in Hong Kong for clients, includingfrom Japan, for whom the heavily
regulated Hong Kong planningsystem needs expert navigation.
Keith relishes the synergies of thisdual-cultural working practice,citing the pleasure he gains fromworking alongside celebrated
Japanese interior and landscapedesigners whose appreciation of
his untangling the bureaucracy
is heartfelt. Residential remains

BY MERCI MAGAZINEP02ISSUE 08

Atsuro Tayama, Festival Walk, Hong Kong

Elegance and sophistication at Atsuro
Tayama, Festival Walk, Hong Kong whereHintegro has created a perfect balance of
natural materials and modern aesthetics inretail design.

THE PERFECT BALANCE
centre stage. A commission for a Hong Kong client’s home in Los Angeles led to a furthercommission for the client’s home in Hong Lok Yuen. Luxurious simplicity was the brief. From thesuper-scale of the pivot entrance doorway through to adobe-style hand-crafted stone walls andblue-tiled staircase risers, Keith and his team have achieved this and more.

F&B Design: Hintegro has created a bright and calming café experience
for local coffee brand Cupping Room’s new shop in Kwun Tong. Thecafé design pays homage to the history of Kwun Tong district andincludes Bistro Le Parisien.

The curve sees full expression in Gallery 29, the new Wanchai exhibition space where from thecapsule-like entrance to smoothly curved gallery walls, the curve is highlighted, the beauty of
the form inset-lit. The space is cool, futuristic and serves perfectly the work on show. Anotherproject where curves feature is in the French Bistro, part of the Cupping Room at APM, Kwun
Tong. The curve of the bistro bentwood chairs sets off an archway-framed mural that portrays
an international gathering of friends – including the designer – in a glorious evocation of the IRL
friendships the bistro will surely create.
Keith, a visionary interior designer, collaborated with UNION, the renowned Japanese door handle
maker, through Hintegro, a pioneering Hong Kong design practice. Keith witnessed UNION’s
close collaboration with designers during his visit to Japan in 2019. Keith decided to design his
door handle based on his cultural sensibilities and inspiration from this experience. Both Japanand Hong Kong revere bamboo, which represents “good being” and “good behaviour” in Chinese
culture. Keith’s design brought this symbolic material to life with meticulous craftsmanship. It wasa striking display at DesignInspire Hong Kong 2021, combining cultural symbolism with artistic
excellence, leaving attendees spellbound.

Preset / interval coffee bar

Graphite:
Hintegro’s design for Graphite furniture store that specialises in wood products
evokes perfectly a Japanese sensibility. From beautiful chairs and tables tounique decorative items, all are expertly crafted from the finest woods. Thisgem of a shop showcases the natural beauty of wood.

A recent project was for a whisky bar in Wanchai for a couple whose heritage combines India andJapan. The bar leads out on to a large terrace that has been landscaped as a traditional Japanese
raked sand garden with water and stone elements. The Japanese landscape designer was known
to Keith who was brought into the project to navigate permissions and - with his team - build
the garden. He describes the resulting teamwork as akin to a “bromance” with his team flying
to Japan to work on a one-to-one mock-up of the garden. The experience - including sharing
onsen - enhanced the experience of his team. Keith cites this unique time as a work/life highlight;
one that has enhanced and re-motivated him and his team to take on yet more of the complex,
precise projects that is the core of Hintegro.
Keith, an accomplished and versatile individual, embodies the rich tapestry of creative roles
established in Japan. It is Keith’s visionary talent that extends beyond traditional boundaries as aninterior designer. He seamlessly transitions from lecturer to writer to columnist to entrepreneur
to purveyor of fine homewares, many of which are sourced from Japan. Keith has strategically
positioned his Shatin-based business closer to his clients by establishing Hint in the vibrantneighborhood of Sai Ying Pun on Hong Kong Island. Keith’s company name is cleverly reflectedin the name “Hint,” which symbolizes his belief that design should be accessible and enjoyable
for all. As Keith continues to pursue his diverse endeavors, he weaves a captivating narrative thatcelebrates the essence of design and invites everyone to embark on a creative journey of theirown.
The concept for Hintegro took shape through Keith’s active involvement in the Hong Kong TradeDevelopment Council’s esteemed annual expositions. As a design ambassador for HKTDC, hisencounters with skilled designers and makers during his travels in Japan led to a compellingsuggestion: the establishment of a physical space to showcase their exceptional work. FromBY MERCI MAGAZINETHE HINT IS IN THE NAME | KEITH CHAN

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ISSUE 05

O N E STORY, ONE I NT E RVI E W

FOR ME, THE MOMENT IS NOW.
I have been at the helm of my company for over 11 years.
How did the name come about?
HIN is my Chinese name while INTE means interiorand INTEGRAL comes from calculus in mathematics,
in other words, integration. To me, design is a thinking
and problem-solving process in which we break down
the complicated problems into smaller ones. Then wethink, we draw and we produce prototypes to tackle
the problems. We test the prototypes by trial and error.
Finally, we synthesize them into a holistic design. This isjust like doing integration in mathematics.
Where did you train?
During my educational journey at Hong Kong Polytechnic
University, I was fortunate to immerse myself in avibrant world of creativity and innovation. As a student
of design at PolyU, I had the opportunity to explore
various international design movements, broadening myhorizons and expanding my design perspective.
How does being a born, raised and trained in Hong
Kong designer manifest in your work?
I was born and raised in Shatin. I take pride in being a‘local boy’. I feel that my ‘local-ness’ gives me a flexible,adaptive outlook. This has helped me to understand theneeds of overseas clients who want to take on projects
in Hong Kong. I have earned a growing reputation for
managing projects in Hong Kong for clients, includingfrom Japan. Overseas clients often find the heavily
regulated Hong Kong planning system hard to navigate.
What led to your profound influence from Japan?
During my tenure at Hong Kong Polytechnic University,
I was deeply influenced by Japanese pop culture, whichleft a profound impact on me. Since then, my fascination
with Japan and its captivating cultural heritage has onlyintensified. One aspect that continues to captivate meis the remarkable versatility and multifaceted nature ofindividuals in Japan, where professionals excel
not only in their primary roles but also in variouscreative pursuits.
The rich traditions, meticulous craftsmanship,
and unique aesthetic sensibilities of Japanesedesign continue to inspire and shape my creativejourney.
You are known for residential design. How did
you pivot into hospitality and fashion retail?
I came to realise that clients were aware of
our residential expertise, but not that we area versatile practice that also had much to offer
to commercial projects, including in hospitality
and retail. The time to pivot was swifter thanI imagined. We gave a nudge and received apositive response.
Designers are often known as solo players, but
you are known as a team-builder. How does coworking influence your design practice?
Over the years, I have built a great team in mydesign practice. We work together, sharing ideas
and working equitably. A recent experience found us
working together in Japan on the mock-up of a sandraked garden for a client. This gave us time to get to knoweach other really well – we even took onsen together. I
have described the deep respect that has grown between
us as colleagues as a bromance – without the romance,of course!
You also opened a retail space, which you named‘Hint’. How did this come about?
The idea came out of my becoming a design ambassadorfor HKTDC. Designers and makers I met on my travels
in Japan suggested that I open a shop to show theirwork. The name is a play on the first four letters of mycompany’s name. I also wanted to send out a clue tomy belief that everyone can enjoy design. We found theperfect space in Sai Ying Pun on Hong Kong Island, close
to where many of our clients live and work.

this idea, Hint emerged as a dynamic platform that
not only enables Keith to design and manufacture
innovative products but also fosters knowledge sharing
and creativity through design seminars. This venture
seamlessly merges Keith’s deep passion for design with
his unwavering commitment to nurturing emerging
talent within the industry, creating a vibrant ecosystemthat celebrates and promotes creativity. In passing on
his knowledge and that of his team, the format is open
house with a simple registration process. There is an ‘80s
history here: Le Cadre Gallery. when in its Causeway Bay
gallery space, offered design seminars and vernissages
where young designers met international design stars
such as Andrée Putman and Bořek Šípek.

“Hintegro is the first Hong Kong design practice
to work with UNION.

Having a retail space led you to design and manufacture
products. Is that the case?
Yes. We are proud of our products, including the Red
A Stool, which is a play on the Hong Kong market stallstool that everyone – living or visiting Hong Kong - knows
well. It is a simple, iconic piece of vernacular Hong Kong
furniture that is part of our past and present. We wantedto celebrate the stool and elevate it to a design piece.
Hint also enables us to offer design seminars. We arehaving a lot of what I would call serious fun at Hint.
What does the future hold for Hintegro?
We are exploring our first hotel commission. I am excitedabout the future for the practice and our retail space.
Both point in the direction of Japan. I feel a real affinity
for the country, its food rituals, arts culture and design
sensibility.

In my ongoing creative journey,
I am inspired by the boundlesspossibilities that Japan offers,
where individuals can explore
diverse fields and embrace endlesscreative passions.

“When did you found Hintegro?

Keith is now actively exploring the practice’s first hotelcommission with developers and hotel groups. Hintegro’s
expertise in residential design makes this an ideal next
step, given the importance of the ‘residential elementof the hotel bedroom’ to any successful hotel project.
A Keith Chan-designed hotel would be a dream; a true
integration of precision home making and hospitality.
The Hint is out!

BY MERCI MAGAZINETHE HINT IS IN THE NAME | KEITH CHANISSUE 08

FROM MINIMALISM TO MAXIMALISM

Hong Lok Yuen,
Tai Po, Hong Kong

Residential design has taken on a new level of significance in recent years,
as homeowners seek to create spaces that are both beautiful and functional.
Whether you’re drawn to minimalism or maximalism, natural materials or boldcolors, there’s a trend to suit every taste and every home. And as our lives
become more fast-paced and demanding, our homes have become more thanjust places to live – they’re sanctuaries of comfort and relaxation, where we canunwind and recharge.
One design firm that’s leading the way in creating stunning and functional living
spaces is Hintegro. Based in Hong Kong, with projects spanning across Japanand L.A., Hintegro is known for their passion for quality, attention to detail, andcommitment to sustainable design. Their designs are tailored to each client’s
unique needs and preferences, creating spaces that are both beautiful andfunctional. With a focus on natural materials and sustainable design, Hintegro’s
designs are not only aesthetically pleasing but also environmentally responsible.
At the heart of Hintegro’s designs is a dedication to the client’s vision. Theirteam of experts works closely with each client to understand their needs
and preferences, creating spaces that truly reflect their personality and style.
Whether you’re looking for a sleek and modern space or a cozy and inviting
home, Hintegro has the expertise and creativity to bring your vision to life. From
concept to completion, their team is with you every step of the way, ensuringthat every detail is carefully crafted to create a space that is both beautiful andfunctional.

Tregunter Tower, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong

With their finger on the pulse of the latest design trends and a commitment tocreating spaces that are as environmentally responsible as they are beautiful,Hintegro is redefining what it means to live in style. Whether you’re in Hong
Kong, Japan, or L.A., their team of experts can help you create a space that istruly your own – a sanctuary of comfort and relaxation that reflects your uniquestyle and personality.

Albron Court, Central, Hong Kong

Hong Lok Yuen,
Tai Po, Hong Kong

Kenville Building, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong

Hintegro Ltd.

Photos courtesy of Hintegro Ltd.

Design Studio: Unit 2004, Block B, New Trade Plaza,
6 On Ping Street, Shatin, Hong Kong

#ISSUE 08

Select Shop:HINT, Shop A, G/F, Tung Cheung Building, 		
1-11 Second Street, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong

Phone:Whatsapp:(852) 2885 0696
(852) 9727 2590

Email:

info@hintegro.com

Website:https://hintegro.com#ISSN 2817-1276
Managing Director: Peggy Lui
Editor and copywriter: Lianne Hackett
Art Direction: Peggy Lui
Design by: Dasom Park
Printed in Japan/ Canada
One Story by Merci Media Corproation is a Trademark publication.
Trademark file number 2222129.
It all begins with one story - One Brand, One Solution, One StoryBY MERCI MAGAZINETHE HINT IS IN THE NAME | KEITH CHAN