Founded by partners Tim Kwan and Isabelle Sun, Office AIO (Office for Architecture, Interior and Objects) is an inter-disciplinary design practice based in China and New Zealand. From the scale of architecture to interiors, to objects of desire, the dynamic duo have accumulated experiences working on a diversity of tasks, from hospitality, culture, retail, office, showroom and private residence

Office AIO’s design premise is based on the values of wholesome, balanced, and thorough spatial experiences. The firm develops genuine, meaningful, original solutions that not only answer client’s practical design objectives, but ones that transform pre-existing constraints into opportunities; thus, the result of each project is a response, in close dialogue with its cultural, physical and strategic context.

Their portfolio has gained global recognition through awards and publications: Office AIO was nominated by leading design magazine FRAME “Emerging Designer of the Year” in 2019, and was awarded “Best Interior Design Firm” from Architizer A+ Awards in 2023. We speak with the founders on turning challenges into opportunities, embracing sustainability and tailoring their approach to different sectors. 

Office AIO’s interdisciplinary approach has gained global recognition. How did your backgrounds shape the studio’s founding vision?

Our upbringing across Taiwan, Hong Kong, and New Zealand gave us a deep sensitivity to place and culture. With early careers spanning both boutique practices and large-scale commercial firms in New Zealand and China, we developed a balanced appreciation for craft and system. Office AIO was founded on the belief that good design is both poetic and pragmatic—a way to distill complexity into clarity. We aim to create spaces that are deeply rooted in context yet resonant across cultures.

Your projects often turn constraints into opportunities. Can you share an example of this philosophy in action?

Constraints often serve as a framework for creativity. One of our earliest projects involved a compact site with tight budget and time constraints. Instead of seeing them as limitations, we used them to distill the design to its essentials—resulting in a space that felt unexpectedly generous and immersive. We always try to find poetic clarity within complexity. Whether it's a heritage constraint, an irregular footprint, or a modest budget, we see these as invitations to think more intelligently and creatively.

With a diverse portfolio spanning hospitality, retail, cultural, and residential spaces, how do you tailor your approach for each sector?

Our process always begins with listening—understanding the people, purpose, and setting. While each sector has its own priorities, we approach all projects with the same curiosity and rigor. Hospitality requires us to choreograph mood and memory, retail is about clarity and connection, cultural work explores identity, and residential projects call for intimacy and stillness. We adapt our lens, but always maintain a consistent emphasis on atmosphere, detail, and human experience.

How does Office AIO integrate sustainability into its designs without compromising aesthetics or functionality?

We view sustainability as an ethic rather than an aesthetic. It starts with restraint - prioritizing longevity over novelty, and designing with sensitivity to local climate and materials. We often work with natural finishes, explore passive design strategies, and favor quality over quantity. For us, sustainable design is about doing more with less while creating spaces that people want to keep using, not replacing.

How do your personal lifestyles reflect your design philosophy? Are there specific rituals or environments that inspire you?

Tim Kwan: I find inspiration in everyday observations—street life, the rhythm of a city, or how light falls on a surface. I try to keep my personal life minimal and considered, just like our work.

Isabelle Sun: I’m deeply influenced by nature—New Zealand’s rugged coastlines and Taiwan’s rural textures constantly inform my palette and sensibility. Slowness, routine, and solitude are essential to staying grounded and creatively open.

As co-founders, how has your partnership shaped your creative synergy, and how do you navigate differing perspectives?

Our partnership is rooted in mutual respect and complementary instincts. We often challenge each other, but always in pursuit of a better idea. Over the years, we’ve learned to shift between roles fluidly, giving space for each other’s strengths to emerge. Disagreements are resolved through design—by testing, iterating, and letting the work speak.

What are your aspirations for Office AIO, and are there upcoming projects or collaborations that excite you?

Every project we are currently working on holds a unique sense of excitement and innovation. We are leading a spatial rebranding initiative for a personal skincare brand, a process that involves deep research, data-driven insights, and the opportunity to challenge the conventional norms.  Another standout project is a rehearsal venue for musicians and recording artists, set in an exceptionally unique environment where industry-leading acoustic design plays a pivotal role – we feel privileged to be part of this transformative space. Additionally, we are collaborating on a residential project with a highly conscious client who actively supports passive design strategies, reinforcing sustainability as a core principle. Beyond our local projects, we are also expanding our scope internationally, engaging with brands and institutions that value depth over trend. Our aspiration is to keep evolving with curiosity - remaining small, but thinking wide.