Empire Apartment
Empire Apartment
CHUNG SHAN HOUSE
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
​
1.5 Bedroom Apartment; Full-Scope Design
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
​
1.5 Bedroom Apartment; Full-Scope Design
Zhong Shan, China
​
3 Bedroom House; General Design
A modern and chic designer apartment in an old Hong Kong block. While it was a completely new renovation, we kept the original floor and windows to retain some of the memory.
High contrast black, white and bronze colours were bold design statements chosen to complement the vintage theme.
A modern and chic designer apartment in an old Hong Kong block. While it was a completely new renovation, we kept the original floor and windows to retain some of the memory.
High contrast black, white and bronze colours were bold design statements chosen to complement the vintage theme.
​A 3-storey holiday house located on a prestigious golf course in Mainland China.
Whilst elegant and chic, the design featured low maintenance finishes and flexible spaces for various guest arrangements.
meta-
combining form
prefix: meta-
denoting something of a higher or second-order kind.
-gram
combining form
suffix: -gram
something written, drawn or otherwise recorded.
We create unique, architecturally inspired spaces that enrich the lifestyle, brand and experience of their users.
About Metagram
Metagram Studio is a multi-discipline interior design and architectural design practice based in Hong Kong and founded by Australian Architect John Chow in 2017.
Our team is comprised of young and dynamic professionals with diverse background and stories.
Metagram is a "first principle" design studio - every project is designed without preconception and developed uniquely to respond to context, people and place. Our design process is "responsive", which means our work is entirely bespoke to our clients. Together this assures new and exciting design solutions for each of our projects, whilst being sensitively tailored to be dynamic and functional in each project's specific environment.
Using this approach, Metagram has successfully designed projects across multiple project sectors, with each project being informed through our diverse experience.
The practice's vision is to create delightful spatial experiences, whilst forming trusted, lasting and value-adding relationships with our clients and collaborators.
What We Believe
1. Design can be Transformative
2. Design should be Value Adding
3. Design is best when it is Contextual
4. Well-designed spaces are more sustainable, improve wellbeing and stand the test of time
Our Design Philosophy
+ Knowledge with Exploration
All our work is grounded in solid experience and a proven track record, however from project to project we actively seek to explore, push the envelope and challenge the established norms.
+ Focused on Experience
We design to create real spaces that delight. In each project we strive to deliver unique and memorable experiences by constantly remembering that we delivering real space.
​
+ Texture, Material, Light and Form
With our multi-disciplinary design team, we utilise physical and sensory tools to inform our designs. With this palette we create rich and multi-layered spaces.
+ Form and Function are one
Unity between contextual design drivers and empathetic concepts are of equal importance. Nourishing the user and contributing toward the greater built environment.
​
+ God is in the Details
We believe that successful holistic outcomes are the summative result of collections of well resolved details. Attention to detail allows spaces to be successfully utilized, to stand the test of time and to be enjoyed from multiple perspectives, vantage points and scales.
​
+ Be Playful
Our practice maintains a studio environment where our team is encouraged to explore untested ideas in order to discover new possibilities for space. We believe that playful exploration can yield delightful out-of-the-box ideas.
About Our Founder
John Chow is a Registered Australian Architect (RAIA NSW). He holds a Master of Architecture from the University of New South Wales Australia, the winner of the 2023 Australian Institute of Architects International Chapter, Emerging Architect Prize. He is a laureate of the Perspective 40 under 40 Architects and Interior Designers, Asia Awards (2022). Is a council member with the Australian Institute of Architects International Council (since 2021) and was jury co-chair for the Australian Institute of Architects International Chapter Awards (2022). John is also a full member of the Hong Kong Interior Design Association.
Prior to founding Metagram, John first moved from Australia to Hong Kong and was part of the internationally acclaimed design studio, HASSELL, designing architecture around the world, including Mainland China, Australia, South Korea and the Middle East. His cross-sector experience saw him contribute to the sectors of Rail Infrastructure, Sports, Hospitality, Commercial Development, Mixed-Use Residential, Master Planning and Education, at the capacity of Architect and Interior Designer. Clients included names such as Alibaba, Genzon China, NSW Transport (Australia), Hsin Chong, Evergrande and other notable corporations.
In Australia, John gained experience in architecture, development and construction. Practicing primarily in the design of full scope boutique residential and commercial architecture, interiors and landscape.
John approaches projects with a uniquely balanced perspective. Incorporating his international cross-sector, cross-discipline experience with diverse business exposure to deliver uniquely delightful and successful projects, also across sector and across scales. John is a proven talent and will continue to lead Metagram to delight and surprise through great design.
John Chow
Director & Design Principal
B.ARCHST M.ARCH RAIA HKIDA (FULL) NSW ARB 9411
"I believe that good design should be transformative and seamless; whilst being beautiful, it should effortlessly add value to the context to which it is borne."