WHO
We are Studio Act of Kindness, or Studio AOK in short, running by Charif Lona who is the founder and Design Director. Since I have one-beloved job I pursue, The studio name reflects the philosophy of studio objectives and myself to be passionate, honest, sincere and be versatile at everything that I am in charge of, even to pursue the dream, to remind the journey of who I have become and what I have done through this career choice.
WHAT
We are multidisciplinary design. Mainly, our works specialised in architectural, interior and spatial design, at the same time, our interests are also extended toward art, fashion and furniture designs as well. Also, the team members of the studio came from the various backgrounds but we all aim for creativity and design achievement.
WHEN
The studio officially established in 2016 after gaining work experience and master degree in architecture from UK.
WHERE
I decided to locate my working place where can offer me sense of peace and humbleness. I want to spend time working with my team and be comfortable with myself versus my career path to grow up effortlessly. So the studio locates among the group of old townhouses in Soi San Sabai 8 where is particular name of the venue, elder people and cultural context remains the aw-inspiring for us to involve.
WHY
As I see myself as a eager and hard worker person who tries to reinvent my skills in creativity and design, The studio aims to accomplish my very personal ideas in which to improve the versatility and creativity skill as a designer, as well as to offer and challenge the design industry, in both business and artistic aspects, in Thailand to perceive the alternative notion of design; If we can control the quality of work as a-single body of everything, and coexist factors that can relate to art&design to becoming design frameworks why not we do that.
Photo courtesy of Studio Act of Kindness
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE CREATIVITY?
At some point it’s quite subjective, my point of view, breaking knowledge down into different disciplines and artistic realm is used as useful tool to achieve my creativity. Architecture and spatial design also requires concentration, bringing ideas together into a coherent mechanism, on a contrary, in order to oppose the idea of balance between logic and emotion which I called it ‘freedom of creativity’.
DESCRIBE YOUR PRACTICE IN THREE WORDS.
It’s quite difficult to define ourselves. But Antidote, Enthusiastic, and of course, Kindness (haha) would be appropriated enough.
Photo courtesy of Studio Act of Kindness
WHERE DO YOU GO, OR WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU GET STUCK ON A PROJECT?
I personally leave it behind then go for jogging and put my song lists on. Running makes me calmer, focus, and be cautious at everything. And at the studio, there’s a black room where everyone just sit and let the chaotic mind and storm pass away within the darkness.
WHAT PROJECT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
It may sounds cliche if I say that every project means a lot to me. Because I found different experiences and reinventing part of myself in each project. I don’t find any of them unpleasure. But if I have to choose, sentimentally, I would choose my studio renovation which reflects who I am most and expresses the state of mind. But in terms of craftsmanship, technique and design quality, I have to go with ‘Whale House‘ which I extend and challenge the limitation of simple materials in residential use with unexpecting basic handcraft.
Photo courtesy of Studio Act of Kindness
IF YOU COULD INVITE ANY CREATIVE OUT FOR COFFEE, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?
Hmm, it’s a kind of big bonus to talk with talented people from any backgrounds. It helps me improve myself as a worker, and being human. One of them, I admire and respect the works by Ricardo Bofill. I am a stalker and big fan of the firm. I think he is all-in-one and master of architect. I love the vision of him since the beginning of career until now. I think himself and his team are interesting persons. It would be great to leave the homework at the studio and let’s discuss life and equilibrium in different aspects with them. Once, I had his studio’s a great comment on my works on the Instagram “your works are so inspiring, keep up a good work”. I was so humbly honour.