Interview with I-Chung Hung of Atelier Lumenplus

My early interest in art and hobbies led me to attend a special art class during elementary school. The joyful memories of traditional Chinese painting, calligraphy, pottery, printmaking, and carving have left a lasting impression on me.

As I grew older, I embarked on my college journey, delving into the world of interior design as a means to infuse aesthetics into everyday life. Equipped with a solid foundation in interior design, I advanced into more specialized realms, honing my skills in lighting design and ultimately becoming a professional in this field.

Established in 2019, Atelier Lumenplus is a lighting design consultancy offering a range of services. With a team of seasoned designers, we specialize in professional lighting design for interior, architecture, landscape, and custom luminaire design. We are known for our customer-centric approach and innovative problem-solving. Our unwavering commitment to meticulous attention and investment in every stage, from concept to completion, is a core principle that guides our work.

Design isn't merely about ideation and drafting blueprints. Transforming a vision into reality demands the establishment of well-defined objectives and a robust strategy for achievement. It encompasses both creative ingenuity and pragmatic implementation, with each facet being indispensable.

As for aesthetics, it's the exterior presentation that catches the eye. Achieving an ideal equilibrium between emotion and functionality represents the art of melding sensitivity with reason. The ultimate outcome revolves around the enchanting effects and ambiance that emerge from the interplay between these vital elements.

Lighting design is the practical utilization of light as an artistic medium that bridges the gap between light, life, and the surroundings. The physics behind light generation, the physiological aspects of what we perceive, and the psychological influence of the visual environment all come into play. Light, with its intangible and elusive nature, encompasses a multitude of intricate layers and facets, making the realm of lighting design an inherently captivating and absorbing field.

Exceptional design, irrespective of its dimensions or format, possesses the capacity to genuinely convey inner emotions, infuse an artistic dimension into the design, animate visual and emotional bonds, and enhance the positive interplay between light and our everyday experiences.

Our design philosophy centers on human perception. We work closely with clients, architects, and interior designers to create space aesthetics and lighting effects tailored to individual requirements. Every project serves as a canvas where we highlight its distinctive features and mold the atmosphere with a careful balance of emotional appeal and functionality.

Picture a light as radiant as jade, with its warm luster. In each project, we provide a unique and sophisticated interplay of light and shadow, mirroring the elegance of this precious gem, ensuring a one-of-a-kind and appropriate visual experience.

Lighting design seamlessly integrates with the environment of interior, architectural, and landscape settings. Our approach commences with an in-depth exploration of the distinct characteristics and design philosophy of the space. Once we have gained a comprehensive understanding and carefully pondered the nuances, we nurture the core concept of our lighting design.

This entails formulating a comprehensive vision of the lighting ambiance, skillfully balancing various elements, and making prudent choices to execute it through the most appropriate and precise lighting methods.

Over time, my country has warmly welcomed a fusion of foreign cultures. This rich history has nurtured our adaptability and open-mindedness, providing a driving force behind our limitless creativity in the realm of design. Unrestricted by creative constraints, we enthusiastically dive into new approaches, conjuring inventive solutions meticulously tailored to the specific context of each project.

Winning the 2023 MUSE Design Awards is a profoundly significant milestone for our team. It stands as a testament to the principle that persistence and unwavering commitment to your work will ultimately lead to the recognition it merits.

The inspiration behind the lighting concept for my country’s inaugural synagogue comes from the Jewish holiday melody, "Banu choshech legaresh" (Song of Hanukkah). At its essence, this concept embodies the notion of everlasting light. We translated this idea into the very exterior of the structure, molding it into the semblance of a candle's flame, serving as a guiding light amidst the darkness. The spirit of eternal light effortlessly permeates every corner of the interior.

This distinctive project eloquently showcases our nation's cultural diversity and spirit of inclusivity. The lighting concept's simplicity and strength are interwoven throughout the entire endeavor, culminating in a masterful execution. It's this exceptional integration that led us to select this project as a testament to our design acumen.

The restoration of the Jewish Taiwan Cultural Association stands as a remarkable endeavor centered around an aged structure. To rejuvenate the exterior, we introduced custom-made, low-wattage lamps into the building's original distinctive windows, effectively conveying the historical and emotional dimensions of Jewish teachings.

Within the interior, we captured the essence of enduring faith by paying scrupulous attention to the finer details and opting for simple fixture designs. This allowed us to encapsulate the religion's rich cultural and spiritual essence. Despite the need for versatile functionality, we maintained cost-effectiveness by implementing a switch-based control system. Successfully partitioning the circuit into 6 zones to meet a variety of functional requirements presented us with a notable challenge that we adeptly conquered.

We are much more confident! Despite being a lighting design company with less than five years of experience, our inaugural participation in a competition didn't just bring one award but two. This achievement validates our path and shows that we're on the right track.

As we look ahead, our dedication to our mission has only grown stronger. We're determined to double our efforts in creating exceptional lighting environments that harness the illuminating power of light to enrich our lives.

Imagination, creativity and practice.

In my country, we find our vitality in the design field through the combination of a welcoming, open-minded demeanor and a rich multicultural environment.

Our ability to thrive stems from our capacity to harness the strengths of various cultural influences while safeguarding our distinctive local characteristics. The design industry in our nation is all about skillfully capturing and expressing this diverse cultural tapestry, transforming it into a wellspring of inspiration and innovation.

As we peer into the future, the design industry is poised for some intriguing transformations. It extends beyond the introduction of new creative techniques and styles; the subtle integration of artificial intelligence and big data into our daily lives is underway. It's possible that computers and machines may increasingly assume responsibilities such as data collection and generation.

In light of this surge in data, designers are poised to embrace a more expansive role, guiding the way and fostering deeper interdisciplinary partnerships. However, one certainty remains: the unique essence of a designer's perspective and creativity cannot be replicated by machines, and this belief remains steadfast within our community.

Your thoughts shape your reality. Every journey starts with a single step. Follow your heart's dreams and diligently work towards their realization.

Read books, watch movies, see exhibitions, go traveling, you will find beautiful things from all aspects and this will build your own aesthetic system and database. The most important thing is to keep the curiosity of the designer at all times!

During my high school years, I expressed my aspirations in my "My Will" essay, writing, "I aspire to become an interior designer, creating homes illuminated with warm lights, welcoming people back." It's a rare privilege to be one of the fortunate few who have seen their childhood dreams come true.

Rafael Nadal is my favorite tennis player! It’s not just for his skill or performance but more to his mindset and personality. His enthusiasm and perseverance on the court, as well as his and the low-keyness and humility off the court, have always been a great inspiration in life for me. His fighting spirit is worth learning from, especially when encountering difficulties and challenges.

All that is necessary is an accumulation bit by bit, that's all!