get to know claire hung
A DEEP DIVE INTO THE FORMATIVE EXPERIENCES AND PHILOSOPHIES THAT SHAPED MY APPROACH TO DESIGN
Some of my earliest memories include the vaulted ceilings at the dining hall of the spiritual commune where I spent my early childhood. For as long as I can remember, I have been observant of light, flow, and the impact of interiors on our everyday life. To me, the details within spaces have always been striking.
My next home, an extraordinary Art Deco building in Los Angeles, introduced me to the magic of creamy white stucco facades and the charm of an oversized custom curved glass window. I vividly recall plastering my face to this window and staring down at the sparkling pool below.
From there, we moved into a home in the Hollywood Hills that ignited my love for blending nature with living spaces. The two-story ranch was built into the side of a hill, with overgrown vines and a “treehouse room” that felt like something out of a dream. This treehouse room was my bedroom, and it had 180-degree windows that had me living in nature. I’ll never forget the squirrels that loved to run around the sloping roofline that was dappled by the surrounding trees.
The Formative Years: Discovering a Passion for Design
My introduction to modernism began with our mid-century time capsule home in the San Fernando Valley. We filled the house with custom furniture constructed by my grandfather. Each piece was crafted from solid cherry wood and exuded minimalism and functionality. This environment fostered my appreciation for purposeful design, which became a foundational element in my own creative journey.
As a teenager, I lived in a Cape Cod-style house in Santa Monica with beautiful custom millwork & large picture windows. It was in that charming home that I began to connect with the Martha Stewart side of myself, baking, creating refined tablescapes for dinner parties, and sewing my own draperies and pillows. My bedroom was complete with papyrus-tinted walls, mahogany case pieces, and an oxidized copper headboard.
This growing love for design expanded beyond our own home as I explored the architectural wonders around Los Angeles. My teen years were filled with starry-eyed drives with friends, as we gawked at the meticulously designed homes throughout Brentwood and Beverly Hills. LA provided an endless source of architectural stimulation.
An Education: Developing a Creative Vision
At UC Berkeley’s College of Environmental Design, I really started to focus on what mattered most to me as an architect and designer. Copying old-world architecture never felt natural to me. I was more interested in honing in on my own unique perspective, which fueled my love for contemporary design.
Throughout my education at UC Berkeley, they didn’t just teach us how to complete an architectural project—they helped us develop our own design process and artistic vision. I had the opportunity to ask the question: What is my voice? I realized it was both a journey through meditation (a technique I learned and had practiced since I was 11 years old) and library research.
While pursuing my minor in landscape design, I found a sense of freedom while working in harmony with nature. The way we live is always tied to the earth itself.
Japanese Design: Living in Harmony
Japanese design emphasizes this philosophy of working with the natural world rather than against it. Rather than tearing down trees to build new structures, they incorporate the greenery into the establishment of the space.
I focused my studies on contemporary Japanese architecture because of its incredible blend of modern brutalism and organic serenity. To this day, my favorite architect is Tadao Ando. I have always been completely captivated by his spiritual spaces - Church on the Water, The Water Temple, and Church of Light (to name a few).
Danish Interiors: Clean Lines and Community
While studying architecture in Denmark, I found several parallels between Japanese and Scandinavian architecture. Part of our semester was spent traveling throughout Scandinavian and Nordic countries, the most memorable being the Alvar Aalto tours we did in Finland. I recall our visit to the Paimio Sanatorium, designed by husband-and-wife duo Alvar and Aino Aalto, where I immediately felt a deep reverence for human life.
The colorful palette uplifted the tuberculosis hospital's otherwise serious energy, enhanced by thoughtful lighting design, both natural and artificial. In a place with harsh winters and unnatural daylight hours, the focus on well-being and community was evident in every detail.
The Lesson: Limitations Fuel Creativity
My design journey has been ever-evolving since graduating with a focus on Scandinavian and Japanese architecture. I continuously immerse myself in materials and styles from around the world, drawing inspiration from contemporary designers globally.
The beauty of design lies in every project's unique set of needs, which allows me to expand my creative vision. Whether navigating budgetary restrictions, existing furniture and art, or working within the confines of a structure, limitations only fuel my imagination.
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