Born in 1943 in Shanghai, but raised in Hong Kong, Kenneth Ko embarked on a remarkable design journey. Graduating with first-class honours from the University of Melbourne, he founded his design studio at the age of 30. Throughout his illustrious career, Kenneth emerged as a sought-after interior designer who attracted Hong Kong’s elite and celebrities to design their homes. In the course of his career, Kenneth received numerous international acclaim and awards. In 2018, Kenneth retired and now spends his time in different countries. Asia Designers Directory had the privilege of speaking with Kenneth to delve into his extraordinary career.
高文安1943 年出生于上海，但在香港长大，开启了一段非凡的设计之旅。 他以一等荣誉毕业于墨尔本大学，30岁时创立了自己的设计工作室。在其辉煌的职业生涯中，Kenneth被成为“香港室内设计之父”，吸引了香港的精英和名人来设计自己的住宅，并获得许多国际赞誉和奖项。 2018 年，高文安退休了，并环游世界。 《亚洲设计师名录》采访了高文安，深入探讨了他非凡的职业生涯。
With a stellar portfolio boasting around 2,000 projects, each exuding its unique character and elegance, how do you manage to converge luxury and elegance for the upper echelon ?
在您的职业生涯中，您参与过大约 2,000 个项目，而每个项目都散发着独特的个性和优雅，您能否分享一下您如何在空间中融合奢华和优雅？
My design revolves around unleashing the innate beauty of the materials in our surroundings, as I believe that pieces from our everyday lives reflect a rich historical narrative. I enjoy blending the old with the new, imbuing my creations with a sense of modern sophistry while preserving their historical essence. I believe that anything steeped in history possesses an inherent elegance.
For instance, I once bought a three-metre-high Windsor chair from an antique shop when I was travelling in the UK. Subsequently, I placed it in a sales gallery in Chengdu and the chair became an instant focal point. Every visitor clamoured to sit on it to take a photo–this is how a character-rich piece can instantly elevate a space.
我的设计理念着运用周边的材料，因为这些材料可能都蕴藏着一些丰富的历史故事。我善于改变材料的用途，将古老与现代相融合。因此，当你审视我的设计时，会感受到其现代性，同时也能嗅到其中潜藏的历史情感。在我看来，所有带有历史痕迹的事物都蕴含着一种优雅的故事。
让我有深刻影像就是在我旅居英国时，我在一家古董店买了一张高达三米的皇家宝座椅。我将它摆放在成都一家销售中心。在这销售中心内，每一位客人都渴望坐在这张椅，留下珍贵的合影，为销售创造了卓越的效果。
我把它放在一个成都的销售中心里，应诏气势。在高贵的销售中心里，过来的每一个客人都想坐在皇室椅子上拍张照片，做成一个销售的作用。
Your projects often embody a rich tapestry of cultural influences. How do you draw from cultural diversity in the countries you work in to infuse unique narratives into your designs, and what role does storytelling play in your creative process?
您的項目通常體現出豐富的文化影響。 您如何利用所在國家的文化多樣性，將獨特的敘事融入到您的設計中？講故事在您的創作過程中扮演什麼角色？
My passion for travel has afforded me the opportunity to explore diverse corners of the globe, collecting exquisite mementos and handcrafted treasures along the way. From Thailand to Italy, my journeys have taken me far and wide, unearthing the essence of different cultures. I yearn to infuse a touch of these authentic narratives into residences I design。
I feel that branded furniture are often devoid of character and comes with a hefty pricetag. I aspire to introduce character using daily life objects that lend a global appeal.
因为我深爱旅行，从事设计以来，我频繁踏足不同国度。几乎每个国家我都搜罗了他们的珍藏品和手工艺品，不论是泰国、印尼、菲律宾，还是遥远的埃及、摩洛哥、土耳其、意大利、法国。我的愿望是将这些国家的日常用品融入中国和香港的住宅，为它们注入生动的故事情节。
我不追求购买欧洲最新、最昂贵的家具工厂产品，因为它们有时缺乏故事性，只是价值的堆砌。相反，我不愿将自己的客户打造一个名贵家具的展厅。我希望将平凡生活中的物件赋予生活的状态和情感。
Your interiors evoke a sense of comfort and connection. How do you prioritise the human experience in your designs, and what design elements do you employ to enhance the well-being of occupants?
您的室內設計喚起一種舒適感和聯繫感。 您如何在設計中優先考慮人類體驗？您採用哪些設計元素來提高居住者的福祉？
Within every family, individual needs and personal spaces should be thoughtfully considered. When working on projects, many tend to focus solely on appeasing the paying client. While their satisfaction is paramount, my approach differs. I believe in serving not only the client but also their immediate community.
Meeting a client may be brief, so as a designer, keen observation and understanding of their lifestyle are crucial. Experience teaches how to discern subtle cues that reveal preferences. Emerging designers frequently prioritize selling the latest design trends, which can sometimes be fleeting and lacking in lasting appeal.
I primarily work with commonly used materials, particularly wood, to establish a strong connection with nature. Such materials possess a timeless quality.
因为家庭中有不同的成员，所以必须综合考虑每个人的需求，为他们创造独立的生活空间。在许多项目中，很多设计师觉得他们是为付钱那个人服务的。主要都是为了满足这个付钱那个人，但是我不是这个意思的。付钱的人当然我要照顾得到，但是付钱的人、旁边的人我也要照顾得到。
我们与客户的接触时间可能有限，因此作为设计师，我们需要深入了解他们的生活习惯，并具备敏锐的观察力，以更好地满足客户的需求。然而，分析客户的偏好需要经验，需要我们善于观察客户的行为和言辞。
年轻的设计师往往专注于销售，但现时尚追求的东西往往瞬息万变，容易过时。与此不同，我常使用普通而自然的材料，尤其偏好木材，这些与大自然相连的材料具有更持久的魅力，不容易被时间抛弃。
Your diverse portfolio extends across various countries and cities. Where do you spend most of your time now?
您的多元化投資組合遍布各個國家和城市。 您現在大部分時間都花在哪裡？您在做什麼？
In my retirement, I’ve embraced travelling, dividing my time between three countries. Chiang Mai, Thailand, is a personal favourite due to its proximity to my spiritual roots in Buddhism and its rich ancient culture.
I’m drawn to cities steeped in history and culture, which is why I also spend a lot of time in Istanbul, Turkey, which beautifully marries European and Asian influences. The vibrant tapestry of culture captivates me.
For the most part, I reside in Scotland, which offers a tranquil and picturesque environment, ideal for my retirement years. The added benefit of free healthcare adds to its appeal. These countries allow me to pursue my passion for exploration and cultural immersion.
我如今已经享受着退休生活，在三个不同的国家度过大部分时间。首先是泰国的清迈，这个佛教国家的亲和氛围以及丰富的古文化深深吸引着我。我总是钟情于富有历史和文化底蕴的城市。因此，我选择在土耳其的伊斯坦布尔定居，这座城市被誉为欧亚文化的交汇点，充满丰富的多元特色。这里的人们个性鲜明，既有浓厚的欧洲风情，也融合了亚洲的元素。而苏格兰则以其自然美景和宁静的环境吸引我，非常适合我这个年龄的退休生活。值得一提的是，在苏格兰，医疗服务和药物都是免费的，这为我的健康保障提供了额外的安心感。
What guidance would you offer to aspiring designers who are just starting their careers?
您会给刚刚开始职业生涯的有抱负的设计师提供什么指导？
I have amassed much experience since starting out as a designer in the 1970s. However, my experiences may not be applicable to today’s designers. Since each era brings its unique client demands, my experiences may not be relevant.
Reflecting on my journey, I feel that luck played a significant role in Hong Kong, where I had the privilege to work on numerous significant projects. Fate, too, had a hand in shaping my career, as my connection with clients often led to very positive outcomes. As I gradually transitioned to mainland China in the 1990s, the reception was overwhelmingly positive, which left me feeling very humbled.
In reality, success hinges on diligence and the commitment to excel. My two-decade tenure in mainland China attests to this dedication. Eventually, in 2018, I sold my company and began a leisurely retirement. Today, I am fully retired, content with the journey and my new chapter in life.
作为一个设计师，每个人都有自己的设计风格。我自从七十年代开始从事这个职业，积累了丰富的经验。然而，我的经验并不等同于可以直接应用在今天的设计师身上。每个时代都有不同的客户需求，因此我不能简单地传授我的经验给他们，他们应该自己去探索和发展。
我的经验主要是基于中国文化，这或许是一种缘分吧。在香港，我有幸承接了许多大型项目，这其中一部分是因为我的运气。另一部分是因为与客户之间的缘分。我们相遇时互相合得来，才能继续深入的合作。这样的缘分成就了成功，使我在香港成为一名备受瞩目的设计师。
后来，随着中国改革开放的深化，我于九十年代回到中国工作，这时的反响更加热烈。我由于在香港的知名度，中国的客户将我视为至高无上的设计师，来寻求我的建议和帮助。虽然受到如此高度的赞誉，我仍然保持着谦逊。这些赞美也不过是外表的风景。
因此，我坚信，成功依然需要踏实工作和出色的业绩。我在中国度过了二十年的职业生涯，并在2018年出售了我的公司，随后慢慢进入了退休生活。如今，我已经完全享受着退休的生活。