On 24 June 2025, Foshan China Ceramics City Group Co., Ltd. once again became the focal point for the Asia-Pacific design community. Jointly organised by the Asia-Pacific Space Designers Association (APSDA) and the Asia-Pacific Design Centre (APDC), and co-hosted by the Foshan Environmental Design Association (FEDA), Foshan China Ceramics City Group Co., Ltd., and PABLO NOW, the Asia Luxury Living Design Summit (2nd Edition) brought together leading designers, brand representatives, and industry stakeholders to explore the future of luxury living in Asia, with a focus on design-driven innovation and sustainability.
As one of the main organisers, APSDA remains committed to fostering professional exchange and regional collaboration across the Asia-Pacific design industry. The second edition of the summit, themed “Asian Lifestyle Aesthetics in the Era of Sustainable Development,” focused on strengthening cross-border cooperation, promoting cultural exchange, and driving industry innovation.
In his opening address, Mr Zhou Jun, Co-Chairman and President of Foshan China Ceramics City Group Co., Ltd., highlighted Foshan’s strategic role as a global hub for the ceramics and design industry. He reaffirmed the company’s ongoing commitment to providing an international platform for dialogue between designers and industry stakeholders.
Representing APSDA, Prof. Keat Ong, President of APSDA, extended a sincere invitation for more designers across the Asia-Pacific region to join APSDA’s growing professional network. He emphasised that today’s designers are not only creators of spaces but also active advocates for social sustainability.
Mr Xie Zhi Ming, Vice President of the Architectural Society of China – Institute of Interior Design (IID-ASC) and President of the Foshan Environmental Design Association (FEDA), called on Chinese designers to integrate the strengths of “Made in China” with “Designed in China,” and to actively expand into international markets, enhancing global brand presence.
Speaking on behalf of the co-organising partners, Mr Steven, Owner of the PABLO NOW brand, shared his vision for future collaborations. “Looking ahead, we hope to engage in deeper partnerships with outstanding designers and artists, fully showcasing the scale and potential of Chinese design and Chinese brands,” he said. Mr Steven also emphasised that the summit serves not only as a platform for idea exchange but also as fertile ground for creative inspiration. Through ongoing cross-sector dialogue and project collaborations, PABLO NOW aims to encourage more designers to pursue original research and development, bringing outstanding Chinese design to the international stage.
Following that, Ms Lin Chih-Feng, Executive Creative Director of HODDI Design (Taiwan) and Council Member of CSID, delivered a keynote presentation titled “Under Soft Light: Reconstructing Contemporary Expressions of Oriental Luxury.” She shared a series of lifestyle-inspired and emotionally driven spatial design projects, vividly illustrating that high-quality living goes beyond the layering of materials and visual aesthetics—it is about the integration of light, emotion, and the overall living experience.
Prof. Keat Ong continued with an insightful presentation, sharing key concepts from his book “Injected Architecture,” introducing a unique methodology that integrates architectural thinking into interior design. He encouraged designers to adopt a more systematic and inquisitive approach when creating spatial environments.
During the forum dialogue session, five distinguished guests from different sectors engaged in an in-depth discussion on a wide range of topics, including product selection, sources of inspiration, market expansion, cultural integration, and cross-industry innovation. Each speaker shared their professional experience and forward-looking perspectives. The panel of speakers included:
1. Mr Xie Zhiming, Vice President of the Architectural Society of China – Institute of Interior Design (IID-ASC) and President of the Foshan Environmental Design Association (FEDA)
2.Prof. Keat Ong, President of the Asia-Pacific Space Designers Association (APSDA), and Founder of Nota Design Group and Keat Ong Design Studio, Singapore
3. Ms Ada Long, General Manager of Foshan China Ceramics City Group Co., Ltd.
4. Ms Lin Chih-Feng, Executive Creative Director of HODDI Design (Taiwan) and Council Member of the Chinese Society of Interior Designers (CSID)
5. Mr Feng Zhiliang, Brand Principal of PABLO NOW
Mr Xie Zhiming shared how his recent travels in Canada offered new perspectives on how architecture and interior spaces respond to extreme climate conditions. He emphasised that cross-regional life observations are invaluable for designers seeking to broaden their thinking and drive technical innovation.
When discussing how to balance design style, client needs, and brand positioning, the panellists unanimously agreed that authentic life experiences should remain the foundation of design inspiration, while also making full use of the diverse perspectives gained through travel and cultural exchange.
Prof. Keat Ong further pointed out that Chinese brands are no longer limited to product exports but are gradually moving towards global lifestyle and brand image exportation. He encouraged designers to develop a deeper understanding of the unique characteristics of target regional markets, align with local needs, and strengthen their competitiveness in the international arena.
On the topic of blending local culture with international vision, the speakers agreed that the true value of design lies in its modern interpretation of regional culture. Furthermore, cross-sector collaborations between designers and brands are increasingly becoming a key driver for industry innovation and brand value enhancement.
The entire dialogue was marked by diverse perspectives and lively exchanges, fully embodying the summit’s core theme: “Design empowers lifestyles, and innovation drives industry transformation.” It offered the audience a wealth of insights and inspiration.
The successful conclusion of the Asia Luxury Living Design Summit (2nd Edition) once again underscored the Asia-Pacific design community’s collective responsibility and vision in driving lifestyle transformation, sustainability, and cultural innovation.
APSDA will continue to champion regional cooperation and cross-cultural dialogue. We look forward to empowering more Asia-Pacific designers and industry partners to elevate Asian design onto the global stage.
We warmly welcome designers and stakeholders across the region to join APSDA and work together towards shaping the future of Asian aesthetics and sustainable design.