International Wood Magazine

Designing Differently

Reimagining established spaces with reclaimed wood and natural materials

Magazine page featuring a reclaimed nyatoh and balau parquet table, a worker laying herringbone flooring, an office lounge, and an indoor vertical green wall corridor.
A spread from Designing Differently showcasing reclaimed-wood parquet tabletops, collaborative office interiors with wood paneling, and a living green wall atrium.

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while also embracing sustainable design strategies. Chia's passion is to create more desirable spaces at work and home, while reducing the environmental impact and making a difference in our world.

This passion has led Chia to tackle a wide variety of projects. One such transformation was a 30-year-old building, where Chia created a workspace "that's both fun and functional," bringing in natural materials, such as wood and plants throughout. Open office spaces and meeting areas throughout were designed to foster collaboration. A mix of natural materials were used, as well as a color palette meant to imitate nature.

Another award-winning recent design was the Hap Seng 3 Tower. An aesthetical and functional commercial building and an interior design masterpiece, this building earned GBI certification and LEED Gold Certification. Again, Chia pulled ideas from nature, explaining that an inspiration for the design came from taking a walk in the forest. A show-stopping design element of the building is the approximately 90-meter-high indoor vertical green wall within the internal atriums of the building that spans from the fifth floor to the 25th floor. Not only is the green wall one-of-a-kind, but the plants actively help to cool the building, reducing the energy needed to cool the building.


DESIGNING DIFFERENTLY

Reimagining established spaces.

Making old building materials into something new.

Welcoming fresh design strategies for new construction.

Utilizing more natural materials.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the designer behind these sustainable projects?+

Chia is the designer, whose passion is to create more desirable spaces at work and home while reducing environmental impact and making a difference in the world.

How was the 30-year-old building transformed into a modern workspace?+

Chia created a workspace that is both fun and functional by bringing in natural materials such as wood and plants throughout. Open office spaces and meeting areas were designed to foster collaboration, paired with a color palette meant to imitate nature.

What certifications did the Hap Seng 3 Tower earn?+

The Hap Seng 3 Tower earned GBI certification and LEED Gold Certification as an aesthetical and functional commercial building and interior design masterpiece.

What inspired the design of the Hap Seng 3 Tower?+

Chia drew inspiration from nature, specifically from taking a walk in the forest, which influenced the building's design elements.

How tall is the indoor vertical green wall in the Hap Seng 3 Tower?+

The indoor vertical green wall is approximately 90 meters high, spanning from the fifth floor to the 25th floor within the internal atriums of the building.

How does the green wall in Hap Seng 3 Tower contribute to sustainability?+

The plants in the green wall actively help to cool the building, reducing the energy needed for cooling. It is also a one-of-a-kind design feature.