About EDGE DESIGN INSTITUTE

EDGE was founded in 1994 and has been gradually transformed into a studio for innovative multidisciplinary design with focusing on space. The studio continues original and creative solutions from the scale of urban planning, architecture, interior, exhibition, to the scale of tableware.

 

Our methodical design approach aims at making positive change to the environment from the ever-limited projects and resources. The studio makes use of the vast design potential from working together with clients and specialists, finding the area where we can make the greatest contribution between clients’ ventures and our studio practice. This cross-disciplinary approach has enabled us to offer an efficient and broad range of design services to diversified scale of projects for both local and international clients.

 


Gary Chang

Born and raised in colonial Hong Kong, Gary’s passion for Architecture began at a very young age while living in a tight subdivided unit of only 32 sqm with his parents and three sisters. This crowded childhood home which he has then resided for over 50 years inspired him to pursue broader architectural discipline. After years of experimenting and improving, Gary presented the most updated version of his 32 sqm Apartment – “Domestic Transformer” in 2007. The limited physical space could be transformed into 24 different modes without compromising exquisite living standards. This controversial project granted him a significant position in the Architectural scene and put him in the vanguard of the growing global phenomenon of compact living.

Gary graduated from The University of Hong Kong in 1987 and founded his company EDGE in 1994. His projects span across large scale urban, residential, commercial, cultural and private fields with the focus on dynamic spatial flexibility and redefinition of traditional boundaries. He gained a reputation for his commitment to innovative exploration of modernism with tradition, nature with metropolitan and art with adaptability. Some of his award-winning multi-disciplinary designs include Suitcase House at Commune by the Great Wall in Beijing, Hotel V Wan Chai and ACTS Rednaxela Serviced Apartments. The company was renamed EDGE Design Institute Ltd. in 2003.

Besides practicing, Gary’s dedication to art and architecture extends into academia, lectures and publications. His books “My 32sqm Apartment” and “Suitcase House” received great response and were sold out shortly. He is also a sophisticated travel fanatic who enjoys sharing his unique opinion on hotels and exchanging the different architectural language around the world. His expertise and experience have been accumulated and in form of a publication as a hotel columnist and expert. Along with his diverse portfolio, Gary has attracted many collaboration opportunities with leading international brands and hotels. He has designed products for Alessi, including the Kung Fu Tea Set, Treasure Box for Urban Nomads, and curated its first-ever project in China, the “(Un)forbidden City”.

 


Honours and Awards

  • ar+d Award 2003 Copenhagen, Denmark, Commendation: “Suitcase House, Commune By the Great Wall, Beijing” | ar+d Award 2002 Copenhagen, Denmark, Commendation: “Light Hotel”

  • Architecture + Awards 2004, Design for a New World – Dubai, Housing & Residential Category – Winner: “Suitcase House, Commune by The Great Wall, Beijing”

  • contractworld.award 2010, 10th International Architecture Award for Innovative Interior Design Concepts, Deutsche Messe AG, Hanover, Germany | Shortlist of the category Hotel – “ACTS Happy Valley Serviced Apartments”

  • Design for Asia Awards 2016, Hong Kong Design Centre, Silver Award "Private Music Studio - Hong Kong" |Asia Pacific Interior Design Awards 2015, Hong Kong Interior Design Association - Best 10 in Leisure & Entertainment Space Category "Tian Spa at Park Hyatt Beijing" | Perspective Award 2013, Perspective – Interior Design (Professional) Best Residential, Certification of Excellence :“The Arch’’ | “Hotel V Wanchai 2’’has been selected as one of ‘Best Urban Hotels 2013’ by Wallpaper, October issue | Asia Pacific Interior Design Award 2012, Hong Kong Interior Design Association – Certification / Excellence – Hotel Space Category: “Hotel V Wanchai 2’’ | Perspective Award 2012, Perspective – Certification of Excellence: “Hotel V Wanchai 2’’ | Design for Asia Award 2011, Hong Kong Design Centre – Merit Recognition: “ACTS Rednaxela, Hong Kong” | Design for Asia Award 2009, Hong Kong Design Centre – DFA Grand Award: “A Domestic Transformer” | Design for Asia Award 2009, Hong Kong Design Centre – DFA Bronze Award: “ECOLS” | Design for Asia Award 2007, Hong Kong Design Centre – DFA Grand Award: “The Organic Pharmacy HK Store” | Design for Asia Award 2007, Hong Kong Design Centre – Commendation Certificate:“Samuel Kung” | Design for Asia Award 2007, Hong Kong Design Centre – Commendation Certificate “The Charterhouse, S Signature Floor” | Design for Asia Award 2007, Hong Kong Design Centre – Commendation Certificate: “The Cascade” | “Creation 9707” Project in 2007, Hong Kong Design Centre, A collaboration of 10 internationally renowned brand names with 10 accomplished Hong Kong based designers to produce 10 creative products to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region - Collaboration with Alessi: “Treasure Box for Urban Nomads” | Design for Asia Award 2004, Hong Kong Design Centre – “Distinguished Design from China”:“Suitcase House, Commune By the Great Wall, Beijing” | Asia Pacific Interior Design Awards 2002, Winner - Blanch Gallardo Award (Most Outstanding Design Award): “Suitcase House, Commune By the Great Wall, Beijing” | Asia Pacific Interior Design Awards 2002, Honourable Mention” – Corporate Category: “Mega-iAdvantage Data Centre, Hong Kong” | HKIA Annual Awards 2001, The HKIA Merit Award – Architectural Interior: “Mega-iAdvantage Data Centre, Hong Kong”, Collaboration with Thomas Chow Architects Limited | Asia Pacific Interior Design Awards 2001, Winner – Institution Category: “Refurbishment of Hong Kong Arts Centre Atrium, Hong Kong” | Asia Pacific Interior Design Awards 2001, Exhibition/Showflat Category: “Jen-Ai Tower Showflat, Taipei, Taiwan” | Asia Pacific Interior Design Awards 2001, Special Honourable Mention – Corporate Category: “Jumbo iAdvantage, Hong Kong” | Asia Pacific Interior Design Awards 2000, Winner – Commercial Category: “Broadway Kingswood Cineplex in Tin Shui Wai, Hong Kong” | Asia Pacific Interior Design Awards 2000, Winner – Club Category: “Clubhouse for Palm Beach Residential Development, Hong Kong” | Asia Pacific Interior Design Awards 1999, Winner – Residential Category: “Studio Apartment at Island East, Hong Kong” | Asia Pacific Interior Design Awards 1999, Honorable Mention – Residential Category: “Apartment at Repulse Bay, Hong Kong” | Asia Pacific Interior Design Awards 1999, Honorable Mention–Commercial Category: “Studio City Cineplex at Metropolitan Plaza, Chongqing, PRC” | The Chartered Society of Designers, Hong Kong Design Awards 1999, Best in Interior Design, Certificate of Distinction – Commercial Interiors Category & Certificate of Merit - Graphic Design-Corporate Identity and Signage System Category: “Studio City Cineplex at Metropolitan Plaza, Chongqing, PRC” | The Chartered Society of Designers, Hong Kong Design Awards 1999, Certificate of Distinction - Interior Design Exhibition and Display Category: “Showsuite of Hong Kong Station Development” | The Chartered Society of Designers, Hong Kong Design Awards 1999, Certificate of Distinction – Furniture Category: “Individual Office Module Developed for Ogilvy & Mather, Asia-Pacific” | The Chartered Society of Designers, Hong Kong Design Awards 1999, Certificate of Distinction - Domestic Interiors Category: “Apartment at Repulse Bay, Hong Kong” | The Chartered Society of Designers, Hong Kong Design Awards 1999, Certificate of Merit - Interior Design-Hospitality Category: “Cinematheque Bar-Café-Restaurant” | The Chartered Society of Designers, Hong Kong Design Awards 1999, Certificate of Merit - Interior Design-Corporate Office Category: “Office of Banca Popolare d i Verona, Hong Kong” | “Broadway Cinematheque” was represented in the “Hong Kong Designs” Special Stamps series in Hong Kong in 1998 | Recipient of “The YOUNG ARCHITECT (HONG KONG) Hsin Chong K.N. Godfrey Yeh Education Fund Award 1996”, co-organized by The Hong Kong Institute of Architects & The Asian Cultural Council Hong Kong | Asia Pacific Interior Design Award 1997, Winner – Corporate Category: “Office for Ogilvy & Mather, Asia Pacific, Hong Kong” | Asia Pacific Interior Design Award 1997, Honorable Mention – Commercial Category; “Showsuite of Hong Kong Station Development, Hong Kong” | Asia Pacific Interior Design Awards 1997, Honorable Mention – Commercial Category: “Market Republic Grocery Market” | The Hong Kong Institute of Architects Annual Awards 1996, President’s Prize: “Broadway Cinematheque” | Hong Kong Chartered Society of Designers, Hong Kong Design Award 1996, Best in Interior Design: “Broadway Cinematheque” | Hong Kong Chartered Society of Designers, Hong Kong Design Award 1996, Certificate of Merit - Commercial Category: “Market Republic Grocery Market” | Hong Kong Chartered Society of Designers, Hong Kong Design Award 1996, Certificate of Merit - Domestic Category: “Apartment at South Bay, Hong Kong” | The Hong Kong Designers Association Award 1996, Certificate of Merit: “Market Republic Grocery Market” | The Hong Kong Designers Association Award 1996, Certificate of Merit: “Cho-Ichi Japanese Restaurant” | The Hong Kong Designers Association Award 1995, Certificate of Merit: “Office of Post-Production Sound Ltd. & Digital Vision Ltd.” | Hong Kong Chartered Society of Designers Design Award 1995, Certificate of Merit: “Office of Post-Production Sound Ltd. & Digital Vision Ltd.” | 4th Annual Dimensions Interior Design Awards 1994, Winner – Corporate Category: “Office of SCM and Associates Ltd.” | Hong Kong Designers Association Award 1990, Silver Award – Interior Design Category: “Office of Cine Productions Ltd.” | Hong Kong Designers Association Award 1990, Silver Award – Interior Design Category: “Office of SCM and Associates Ltd.”

  • FX International Interior Design Award 2001 Finalist, Exhibition Design Awards: “Venice Biennale Exhibition, Italy” | FX International Interior Design Award 2001 Finalist, Medium Office Awards: “Mega iAdvantage Datacentre, Hong Kong” | FX International Interior Design Award 2001 Finalist, Residential Awards: “Jen-Ai Tower Showflat, Taipei, Taiwan”

  • XVII Milan Triennale International Design Competition, One of Ten Final Winners receiving a Special Diploma - Theme: THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE FUTURE OFFICE SPACE, Palazzo dell”Arte, Milan

  • The Asia Hotel Design Awards 2016, Spa, Health & Leisure Facilities Category- Shortlist: Tian Spa at Park Hyatt Beijing |Grohe Design Award 1997, Singapore, Winner - Interior Design/Architecture Category: “Broadway Cinematheque”

  • 25th Central Glass International Architectural Design Competition, Tokyo, Japan “1st Runner-up” - Theme: GLASS HOUSE 2001

  • The Dedalo-Minosse International Prize 2002 (For Architect Under 40), Vicenza, Italy, Winner: “Suitcase House, Commune by The Great Wall, Beijing”