Discovering Zen in Design – A Deeper Exploration
Every Sunday remains an opportunity to reset, inviting a fresh perspective on Zen and mindfulness. It’s about creating space to pause, breathe, and embrace life’s natural flow. As we reflect on simplicity and balance, we explore how these principles can enrich our daily lives and environments, allowing us to live more fully and with intention.
In this continuation of our previous article, our sister site, Me Time Japan Travel, delves deeper into Jun‘s insights, exploring the philosophy behind Zen and its influence on architecture.
9. Preparing for the week ahead?
I try to schedule my week regularly, with early morning time for all kinds of writing, mornings for management meetings, afternoons for team support, and evenings for family. Each day of the week focuses on different aspects of the organization. I color-code my calendar extensively and change the colors as tasks are completed, so I look ahead with a calendar full of purple ‘to-dos’ and, hopefully, end the week with a calendar full of neon-green ‘dones’.
On Sundays, if I’m with family, I prioritize that; otherwise, I follow what my heart desires, usually involving some sort of creative work.
10. Can you describe your vision of minimalism in architecture?
Minimalism is about removing all excess. As a style, it features a lot of blacks and whites and simple geometry. But that’s just the surface. My vision for minimalism in architecture is a sequence of spaces that, after experiencing, inspire the user to reflect on what is essential to their lives, what makes them truly happy versus what is extraneous and superfluous.
I coined the term ‘eXperience Architecture’ for our work. The building itself is not the ‘work’; the real ‘work’ is the effect it has on its user. All the sounds, scents, lights, words, art, information, and interactions—the physical space is just one powerful element, but it’s just a mean to an end. Can we design spaces that are delightful, inspiring, even transformative? Occasionally, our users tell us they feel inspired, even transformed. We strive to make that happen as often as possible.
11. What inspired you to explore Japanese minimalist design?
Japanese cultural exports influenced my childhood, so I’ve always had an affinity for Japanese culture. During my formative years as a designer, the works and writings of Issey Miyake, Tadao Ando, Kengo Kuma, Sou Fujimoto, Kenya Hara, Hiroshi Sugimoto, and many others solidified my interest in exploring the philosophical underpinnings of their operations. However, I wouldn’t say that I practice Japanese minimalist design myself. I often try to combine the global experiences I’ve been fortunate enough to have into a universal style that is both specific and general.
12. How does your background as an architect shape your approach to well-being?
Architecture trained me to think in three dimensions, focusing on structural stability, material integrity and beauty at varying scales. Similarly, I strive to build a multi-dimensional organization that aligns, reinforces, and bridges the hopes and dreams of many individuals we call stakeholders. I often have to zoom in close to the details or zoom out to see the big picture. For example, I make a 10-year plan to know where I want to be and meticulously plan my calendar to budget time for sleep, exercise, social activities, conferences, and productivity. This is ‘time scale.’ In terms of space, I think a lot about the meaning of home, having lived in more than 10 cities and being away from my hometown of Hong Kong for about half of my life. I think of home in terms of continents, cities, and my bedroom and bedside table. And these days, I’d like to think of planet earth as home.
These multi-scale, multi-dimensional thinking processes are certainly influenced by my architectural training, which I love.
13. What is the concept behind your location-based game, PLAAAY?
PLAAAY is designed to revolutionize the way people interact with their environments by merging immersive gameplay with real-world exploration. The core concept revolves around creating meaningful and engaging experiences that encourage players to discover hidden stories, connect with their surroundings, and interact with others in a dynamic and interactive manner. By leveraging augmented reality and interactive storytelling, PLAAAY transforms everyday locations into vibrant game spaces, fostering a sense of adventure and community. Our aim is to make gaming a seamless extension of daily life, where fun and discovery are always within reach, promoting both personal growth and social connections.
14. How do you see the intersection of traditional values and modern technology?
I view the intersection of traditional values and modern technology as a harmonious blend that can drive meaningful innovation. Traditional values such as mindfulness, simplicity, and community provide a strong ethical foundation that can guide the development and application of new technologies. By integrating these timeless principles into technological advancements, we can create solutions that are not only efficient and cutting-edge but also deeply respectful of human-centric ideals.
This synergy ensures that progress enhances our lives in a balanced way, preserving cultural heritage while embracing the benefits of modernity. It’s about leveraging technology to amplify the positive aspects of traditional values, fostering a future that is both innovative and grounded in enduring human wisdom.
15. What role does culture play in your architectural designs?
Culture is absolutely central to my architectural designs. It shapes how I conceive, design, and experience spaces. By immersing myself in the cultural context of a location, I aim to create environments that truly resonate with the local community and reflect their unique identity.
This means incorporating traditional materials, local art, and cultural practices into the design process. It’s about honoring and celebrating the cultural heritage of each project. Additionally, culture influences the functionality and aesthetics of a space, guiding decisions on layout, lighting, and spatial dynamics to ensure that the environment is both beautiful and meaningful.
Ultimately, my goal is to design spaces that do more than just serve their intended purpose—they foster a sense of belonging and pride among those who use them. By integrating cultural elements, I strive to create architectures that are not only visually appealing but also deeply connected to the people and their stories.
16. What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs interested in merging spirituality and innovation?
My advice to young entrepreneurs looking to blend spirituality and innovation is:
1. Stay true to your core values and let them steer your creative process. Embrace a holistic approach that balances both technological advancements and the human element of your ventures.
2. Focus on building solutions that enhance the well-being of individuals and communities. Cultivate mindfulness and intentionality in your work, ensuring that your innovations create value for those around you and by extension to society. It’s good karma. And those values you created for others will one day – sooner or later – come back to you.
3. Stay curious and open to learning, and prioritize authenticity in everything you do. By doing so, you can create meaningful and impactful businesses that resonate with users on a deeper level. Sometimes the most spiritual ideas can be found in art, design, engineering, last but not least, the customers you serve.
Photo: Joe Jun Liao
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