 | | The Dispatch | | Nº133, May 2025 | | | In Partnership with Carl Hansen & Søn | | Founded in Denmark in 1908, Carl Hansen & Søn specialises in crafting furniture that brings visionary design to life. The brand produces iconic works by renowned Danish mid-century masters such as Kaare Klint and Hans J Wegner, all crafted in Denmark. Be sure to visit the Carl Hansen & Søn flagship stores in Singapore, Tokyo and Osaka. |  | | | From the Editors | | Dear reader, Welcome to the May edition of The Dispatch. With a packed planner filled with new projects over the months ahead, it's a busy time in the Design Anthology world. First up, please join us on Friday 9 May for a gathering in Tokyo to mark the publication of our latest issue. We'll be hosting an evening of drinks from some of our favourite producers — Okayama-based Domaine Tetta and Melbourne's Non — and showcasing a specially selected library of architecture, design and art books as part of our two-week Reading Room residency at Style Department on until 22 May. Please make sure to RSVP for the evening. We promise fine company and good conversation and would love to see you there. If you haven't yet had a chance to pick up a copy of Issue 40, it's now available on newsstands globally — or better yet, you can have it delivered directly to your door as part of a membership. Becoming a member is the best way to stay connected to our community and ensure you receive our complete editorial offering. It also includes access to special events, our editorial archive and more surprises to come. And while we're talking schedules and gatherings, the upcoming Design Anthology UK Trip is taking place from 28 June to 1 July. The UK team is heading to Umbria for a slow journey through Italy's heartland, exploring design, culture and food in partnership with Design Hotels. There are only a couple of places left, so if you've been thinking about joining, now is the time. Thanks as always for reading and until next month, please enjoy The Dispatch's May issue. Simone Schultz & Jeremy Smart
Editors-in-Chief | | | Wanderlust | | Warmth & Stillness | | Yunnan, China | | A deliberate departure from commercial excess, Qing Shan 49 by Signyan Design offers a window into the soul of Yunnan | | | Sitting between Erhai Lake and the Cangshan mountain range, in the ethnic Bai village of Qingshan in Dali, Qing Shan 49 is a seven-room, all-yours retreat rooted in local culture and human connection. Entirely conceived and managed in-house by a small team, it carries the intimacy of a private dwelling.
'As outsiders, we had to consider how to bridge past and future, and how to become part of the village without a sense of intrusion,' says Signyan Design founder Ke Xie, who is based in Chongqing but considers Dali a second home. Observing local life has always been a source of inspiration, says Xie: 'Every household here opens its door to a well-tended courtyard where, under trees, acquaintances or strangers sit and chat.' With two villas linked by a winding path, the hotel embraces pared-back geometry, marked by vertical wooden louvres, deep-set windows and sloped roofs, a subtle nod to the local vernacular. Xie reimagined the traditional interplay between indoors and out through a composition of courtyards, terraces, balconies and generously framed openings, drawing in light, air and the passing seasons. 'Entering some rooms, guests must first pass by lake-facing terraces, transitional spaces that welcome a pause to take in the natural beauty,' he says, adding that each room offers a unique perspective of the lake and mountains. 'They're a constant backdrop, continuously shifting and shaping the atmosphere.' | | | Rooted in a lived-in sensibility, the interior balances clean lines with a mix of antiques — nearly every piece drawn from Xie's collection. Standouts include an Annie Hiéronimus black velvet sofa, an Eames DSW chair by the kitchen and a pair of urn-like table lamps by Claudio Salocchi that frame a large window in a lounge with gentle symmetry. A stainless steel sculpture by Philolaos Tloupas introduces a cool counterpoint to the otherwise earthy palette in another lounge, while a vibrant red mixed-media work by Anne-Roland Aknin brings just the right touch of drama to the dining space. Indoor and outdoor fireplaces and firepits become natural gathering points, inviting guests to linger and converse well into the evening. The open kitchen allows for casual observation of local dishes being prepared — or an invitation to take part. A dining table shaded by climbing greenery offers yet another setting for relaxed conversation and shared meals. | | | Local builders handcrafted every part of the construction, using materials from the land itself, including stones for the walls and terraces that were quarried from the surrounding mountains. 'Exposed surfaces here and there reveal earth's original skin, mirroring the texture of the village,' says Xie. A delightful touch is the iron railing added along the external path, crafted entirely on site. 'The builders followed the organic flow of the stones and steps, creating a winding form that will be patinated by time and beautifully illustrates the harmony between craftsmanship and the natural environment,' explains the designer. Thoughtful landscaping includes native flowering plants and fruit trees — such as pomegranate and bayberry — deepening the sense of place.
For Xie, the design of Qing Shan 49 is not complete but continually unfolding. 'Like a village home shaped over generations,' he explains, 'its character emerges through lived-in traces — human warmth and daily rituals — in the most natural way.' Text by Tomás Pinheiro
Images by Jonathan Leijonhufvud | | | Dossier | | Secret Ingredient | | Hong Kong | | With interiors by NC Design + Architecture, KI Club is designed to celebrate the art of cooking, entertaining and community living | | | Located in KI Cubus in Causeway Bay, the new KI Club is designed to extend the lifestyle elements of Kitchen Infinity's offering in a space that fosters a community of culinary enthusiasts. Split across the top two levels and the rooftop, the space was designed by Nelson Chow of NC Design + Architecture, with lighting by legendary Hong Kong-based designer Tino Kwan and artistic elements by French muralist and visual artist Elsa Jeandedieu. On the lower floor is a cooking school, upstairs a lounge bar and on the rooftop a herb garden that brings a farm-to-table philosophy. 'I met Sandra from Kitchen Infinity several years ago and we quickly discovered our shared passion for design and food,' says Chow. 'That laid the foundation for a collaboration focused on creating a unique culinary sanctuary that brings the community together.' The brief was straightforward: a private bar lounge and kitchen that 'embodies a sanctuary for culinary enthusiasts, blending futuristic design with organic inspiration' says Chow. 'The aim was to create a space that fosters community, relaxation and a celebration of cooking.' The designer's approach was inspired by traditional social clubs and vaulted wineries, with the aim to evoke a sense of nostalgia. 'We incorporated bold vaulted ceilings, ambient lighting by Tino and curved features to create an inviting and luxurious atmosphere,' he says. | | | Central to the cooking school is a state-of-the-art Gaggenau kitchen, equipped with the brand's precision-engineered appliances. Communal areas are designed to foster connection and collaboration, and each of the two floors hosts a six-metre communal table that encourages sociability and conversation. But it's in the bar lounge where Chow's design shines most brightly. The elegant space is designed to envelop guests, with refined furnishings and soft, ambient lighting that creates a sanctuary. Throughout, Chow combines striking design elements with plush seating in warm hues that invites lingering over a drink and the views of the city. 'The material choices reflect sophistication and warmth, with custom furnishings made from light Nile Blue marble from Italy and pink Rosa Aurora marble from Brazil,' says Chow. 'This creates distinct atmospheres that heighten the senses both visually and through taste. And Elsa did a great job in hand-painting each of the floors with her special prints.' Chow's custom designs include many of the chairs and tables, which feature wavy details — the long tables in particular are intriguing focal points for gatherings. 'The brass-backed fireplace doubles as a TV alcove, and the unique door handles add to the modern flair and interactive experience within the space,' Chow adds. He points to the custom-moulded window frames as another highlight. 'They frame the skyline in a way that evoke a 70s modernist mansion aesthetic,' he says. In addition to the design drawcard, the KI Club offers a range of workshops and experiences focused on cooking, farm-to-table practices and the art of entertaining. Text by Philip Annetta
Images by HDP Photography | | | Dossier | | Natural Order | | Copenhagen & Tokyo | | Rooted in Danish and Japanese sensibilities, OEO Studio's first monograph offers a thoughtful meditation on craft, materiality and the human experience of design | | | 'Our professional relationship with Japan began in 2008, and we kept returning to the country, fascinated by its allure,' write Thomas Lykke and Anne-Marie Buemann of Copenhagen-based design practice OEO Studio in Compelling Minimalism, their first monograph. Published by Rizzoli, the 300-page volume articulates a deep and enduring connection between Japan and their Danish home, offering a visual and philosophical overview of the studio's body of work across its portfolio of residential, hospitality, commercial and product design. Founded in 2003, OEO Studio has built a reputation for interiors and objects that bridge Scandinavian clarity with a sensitivity to Japanese principles and aesthetics. Their philosophy — as described in the book's title — is characterised by a sense of discipline and restraint, a focus on natural materials and a commitment to spaces that are both welcoming and contemplative. Emphasising human values, the studio's work is rooted in craft and a belief in the emotional resonance of thoughtful design. | | | OEO's connection to Japan, both as a source of inspiration and influence and as a place to conceive, collaborate and make, is evident throughout the monograph. Key projects, such the recent Noma Kyoto residency and their work with Kyoto-based textile firm Hosoo, highlight the firm's respect for and understanding of the Japanese cultural and commercial context. With text by design writer and editor Catherine Shaw and additional contributions from the likes of chef René Redzepi and Designmuseum Danmark's director Anne-Louise Sommer, the book offers a reflection on the broader cultural influences that shape the studio's work, and the impact they've had on their clients and end users. Compelling Minimalism presents OEO's projects not simply as design solutions but as ongoing dialogues between place, people and materiality. Images courtesy of OEO Studio | | | Magazine | | | | Issue 40 | | Our Latest Issue | | Our latest issue explores the enduring merit of human-centred design, from compassionate community spaces to modern craftsmanship to the future of our urban centres. We uncover the connections between tradition and innovation, offering a global perspective on design that is thoughtful, empathetic and profoundly human. | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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