Name: Celia Chu
Company: Celia Chu Design & Associates
Position within company: Design Principal
Website: https://www.celiachu.com/
Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)
Born and raised in Taipei, Celia Chu has spent her life submerged in the creative arts, with this leading her to pursue a degree at Parsons School of Design, New York. Upon graduation, Celia decided to stay in the Big Apple, joining one of the world’s top interior design firms, and launching her distinguished career in hospitality design. She went on to design many award-winning hotels, restaurants, spas, service apartments, and clubhouses around the globe.
Since 2007, Celia has led a team of talented design professionals at her namesake interior design firm, collaborating with a variety of clients on many prestigious projects, including the Rosewood Bangkok, Intercontinental Hotel in Semiramis Cairo, Egypt, the Ambassador Hotel in Taipei and several Hyatt brand hotels throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Celia’s work has appeared numerous times in many international design publications including Interior, GQ Taiwan and Modern Decoration.
How would you describe your personal design style?
As a designer, I don’t prefer to be simply categorized into a specific style or being labelled. For me, the essence of design lies in creating something truly unique and conveying a meaningful narrative. I take pleasure in using my creations to tell stories, evoking emotions and infusing each design with individuality and depth. This approach ensures that every project I undertake stands out as a distinct and remarkable piece of work. If I were to highlight a design project that exemplifies this original narrative, I would point to the Rosewood Bangkok. Apart from meeting the brand’s requirement for showcasing exquisite design taste, it also required precisely interpreting the local culture and capturing the ambiance of those qualities. The diverse organizational structure and communication among people did present challenges, but they also added an interesting aspect to the entire project and made it the most representative case for CCDA at present.
Where does your design inspiration come from?
Celia Chu’s design philosophy leverages her experiences in both Taipei and New York City which have shaped her perspective on architecture and design. From Taipei, she developed her respect for humanistic values which fostered a design ethos centred on balance and harmony. The energy of New York infused Celia with creativity, encouraging her to push past conventional boundaries and spin unique narratives with her designs. These influences have guided her approach to projects throughout their conception.