Design Trust partnered with Soho House Hong Kong on panel talk “Transforming Culture – The Future of Asian Heritage & Design”

Design Trust partnered with Soho House Hong Kong on “Transforming Culture - The Future of Asian Heritage & Design” at “Soho Connects Asia” at 3-4pm, Saturday September 20th 2025, at Soho House Hong Kong. As a grant funding and community platform, Design Trust catalyzes creative projects that develop expertise, build research initiatives and content related to Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and international partners. From its recent "the Art of Transformation" projects at a 19th Century historic building in HK, to elevating the power of design in the community, designers and curators were invited to share from their unique cultural perspectives on shaping city identity, culture and visionary projects. The talk featured renowned designer Teo Yang (Korea) well known for his hanok in Bukchon, Seoul ; Marc Cansier (Hong Kong), Co-Founder of Marc & Chantal involved in project consultation for Tai Kwun HK and The Opposite House, Beijing, and Design Trust Greater Bay Area Design Council member, alongside Co-Founder, Lead Curator/ Executive Director of Design Trust, Marisa Yiu (Hong Kong).

In response to the recent Design Trust Futures Festival 2025 at Murray House, Stanley Plaza, speakers Teo Tang and Marc Cansier shared their own practice and projects activating and reimaging the Asian heritage with creative design strategies. Moderated by Marisa Yiu, the discussion further compared and explored Seoul as a creative city with the dynamic design and culture landscape in Hong Kong, and how technology and policy might shape different strategies to shape the future of Asian heritage.

With a master's in Graphic Design and Communication from Penninghen School in Paris, Marc Cansier co-founded Marc & Chantal after arriving in Hong Kong in 1993. Since then, Marc has established the company's brand consultancy services and led the team in a range of integrated projects. The company is now a leading cross-disciplinary brand agency across Asia and Europe, with a holistic approach to branding that encompasses strategic consulting, brand creation, and experience design. Marc now focuses on developing the company's capabilities and mentoring the next generation of talent. Some landmark projects include Tai Kwun, Centre for Heritage and Arts (Hong Kong), RYSE Hotel (Seoul), Shi Sui Hotel (Nara, Japan), Ta'aktana Resort (Indonesia), and The Palace Madrid (Spain). Marc also serves as an advisory member on Design Trust Greater Bay Area Design Council.

Teo Yang is the founder of Teo Yang Studio, focusing on translating Korean traditional heritage into a modern design language. With great respect for tradition as a valuable resource, the studio strives to create beautiful possibilities for the future that preserve and honor the essence of tradition. Instead of allowing the long-cultivated traditional assets to fade over time, the studio seeks to safeguard and celebrate the past’s potential and pride by reinterpreting traditional aesthetics through a contemporary lens. The studio has gained international recognition, being featured in three Phaidon volumes, earning the prestigious AD100 award from Architectural Digest in 2022, and being shortlisted for Dezeen’s Interior Designer of the Year award.