IDr Lai Siew Hong Quest for Excellence

IDr Lai Siew Hong
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Designer / Blu Water Studio
Past President (2020-2022) / Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers (MIID)

Calm, cool and collected like the ocean on a sunny morning, IDr Lai Siew Hong is known as the creative backbone of Blu Water Studio — a boutique interior design firm specialising in hospitality and F&B design — who earnestly believes in conceptualising innovative spaces, and solutions, while crafting a meaningful narrative in each design brief thrown his way. With these sensorial, experiential and immersive design components, he continues to encourage a forward way of thinking in his creative process to sustain the interests of intriguingly diverse clients over the last 30 years, and counting. Some of the designer’s most notable projects include luxury hotels The Edison George Town and EQ KL; stylish boutique stayover citizenM KL and Lone Pine, Penang; as well as Sky51 rooftop bar and fine dining restaurant. 

Lai’s passion for nurturing young emerging talent translates into his deep involvement in mentorship and regional conferences. Locally, he is now serving as the Master Coach for the Interior Architecture and Design Programme at The One Academy and internationally, he mentored graduate students at the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, China. DOTY Awards’ Asia’s Most Influential Designer of 2020 and Tatler Asia’s Most Influential MY of 2021 is also the mastermind behind several stints of the impeccably organised MIID REKA Conference, and is currently an AYDA Awards Advisory Panel Member and International Judge for AYDA 2023/2024, but not before completing his term as the president of MIID during the pandemic a.k.a the most precarious period of the 21st century.

The Dispensary Bar at Lone Pine, Penang

Batu Bar at Lone Pine, Penang

Lepak Lounge at Lone Pine, Penang

How did you find a balance between managing your responsibilities at MIID and Blu Water Studio at the same time? 

Trust is the foundation of any successful relationship, especially in the institute and workplace. When you trust your team members, and they trust you, you can foster a positive and productive work environment. As a leader for both organisations, I used the 3 C’s of decision-making to tackle the challenge of simultaneously managing both organisations: Collaboration, Closure and Commitment. This means engaging your team members in the process, ensuring everyone is aligned on the outcome and getting everyone to commit to the solution.

What was the greatest challenge you had to tackle during your tenure at MIID, and how did you overcome it?

One of the major milestones was the realisation of Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia’s Interior Design Committee to manage and tackle all ID matters regarding practice, education, examinations and registration of interior designers. With its formation and the increase of MIID representation within it, it continues to be our hope that the welfare and development of graduate IDs and licensed IDs are given due process and attention.

Farewell speech at MIID Annual Ball & Awards Night 2023 at the Majestic Hotel , KL

President speech at MIID Reka Conference 2022, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre

MIID Design of Decade book launch 2022

Dialogue session at Manila Interior Design Summit 2023

Looking back, is there any decision, or move, that you’d wish you had done differently?

I wish, and still wish, to see more effort in collaborating with the young designers to create a robust and varied design community that supports the interior design profession; same goes for the promotion of the national awareness and recognition of the positive impacts of Interior Architecture/Design on society and culture, not to mention the enhancement of the influence drawn from the profession itself.

Among all the projects you’ve greenlighted, which one are you the proudest of, and why? 

It has to be the Decade of Design book, celebrating the 10th anniversary of MIID. Inside it, the diversity of design is reflected in the progression of REKA Awards winners since the award’s inception in 2013. Moreover, the ups and downs of formalising the institute were encapsulated by the committee members. The pathway to officially become a registered interior designer was laid clearly too; all this and more was captured within its pages for us to ponder on how far we have come, as both professional interior designers and the national interior design institute.

From design to human management, what is the most surprising, or interesting, lesson you’ve learned during these past two years?  

It’s on how to communicate effectively. We need to be able to convey clear and concise messages, listen actively, give and receive feedback as well as resolve conflicts. Effective communication can help to align the team on goals and expectations, motivate them to perform well and address any issues or concerns. 

Lonepine Pg – multi event social space

APDC 2019 award ceremony in Hangzhou, China

AYDA Awards 2023 International finale event ceremony in Saigon, Vietnam

AYDA Awards 2023 International judges panel in Saigon Vietnam

Are there any ongoing or unmaterialised projects (for MIID and/or Blu Water Studio) that you’re looking forward to seeing come into fruition in the next few years? 

Yes, and it’s centred on the process of digitisation. For example, it would be beneficial to create our very own customised smartphone app to improve communication with all members, generate additional revenue via commercial opportunities and increase member engagement.

What is one piece of advice you would like to give to your successor at MIID?

First of all, I offer my congratulations and gratitude to my successor for taking on this role, and I wish him all the best in his leadership. I hope that he will uphold the core values: professionalism, community, influence and growth because as the president, he has the opportunity and responsibility to not only do so but also create a culture of mutual learning, inspiration, support and collaboration among the interior designers. By sharing our knowledge, skills, experiences and resources with those who have the power to improve the well-being and quality of life of their clients and society at large, we can elevate the industry’s reputation and standards in innovation and creativity.

How would you summarise your professional journey, from 2020 onwards, into three words? 

‘Learn’, ‘Grow’ and ‘Encourage’.

What do you predict, or hope, will be the next trend in interior design in the coming years? 

Interior design trends are constantly evolving, influenced by various factors such as culture, technology, environment and lifestyle. Some of the possible trends in the coming years include the use of earth tones for a warm, cosy and natural atmosphere. Furthermore, open floor plans will still be popular for their spaciousness, flexibility and social benefits … allowing for more natural light, airflow and social interaction.