AMPDA 2023: Jake Chow’s journey of curiosity to create award-winning designs

by Aisha Capulong

As Founder of Dot Works, Jake navigates the industry with ease thanks to his positive attitude and eagerness to learn

Anybody who knows Jake can attest for the cheerful and easygoing disposition he carries himself with, always up for a friendly catch-up or chat with those in his path. It comes as no surprise to learn that he sees his surroundings with unreserved curiosity; Jake is someone who truly, and full-heartedly, believes that the world is full of possibilities and surprises. Perhaps it is with this infectious eagerness to learn that Dot Works is where it stands today, a multi-award winning design studio that can navigate the industry with a sense of ease.

Something that not many know of behind the scenes is how project shoots over at Dot Works are done months after the client has moved in and interacted with the curation — this is so genuine and candid moments of living can be captured to really bring out all of the features within the space.

At the question of ‘Who is your favourite designer?’, the Dot Works founder definitively answers with Tadao Ando, a Japanese architect known for his minimalism and clarity. Despite the perceptible simplicity of Ando’s works, Jake finds it fascinating that the architect is able to strip away the unnecessary to have the focus be entirely on the true essence of the space’s form.

Currently, a future goal at the center of Jake’s plans for Dot Works is to develop a platform that provides full transparency for the design studio’s clients. He plans for the comprehensive system to be one that can monitor the on-site progress and schedule, so clients can refer to the plans and drawings to look to every little decision, down to the materials and even personnel-in-charge. Once implemented, the platform will prove to be nothing short of groundbreaking and is set to disrupt the status quo of the local scene.