robert kwok interior designer
hello
me My name is Robert Kwok. I graduated from Academy of Art University in Interior Architecture and Design. I love minimal designs and clean details. My goal as a designer is always to present my ideas in the simplest way.
this book is my portfolio that highlights some of my academic works during my time studying in the Academy of Art.
what I can do Autodesk Revit Autodesk 3DS Max Adobe InDesign Adobe Photoshop AutoCAD (basic)
contact phone : 415.539.6637 email : robertkwok90@gmail.com
The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak. - Hans Hofmann
1 A N O M A LY K I T C H E N RETAIL A remodeling project of an existing space into a molecular gastronomy restaurant. page 2
2 MARKETOLOGY RETAIL A high end urban food market/restaurant. page 10
3 N AT I O N A L G E O G R A P H I C OFFICE A two level building consists of cafe, exhibition, and office. page 18
A N O M A LY K I T C H E N A M O L EC U L A R G A S T R O N O M Y R E S TAU R A N T A retail project to create a new and different culinary experience in downtown San Francisco. The design was inspired by the molecule bonds to reflect the modern food crafted and served in Anomaly Kitchen.
/robert kwok/ Anomaly Kitchen 2
Best known for being populated by fashion brands around the world, downtown San Francisco is a huge attraction to shoppers. Restaurants popped up everywhere around the area to be quick stops for these shoppers to rest and fuel up. Opening a fancy restaurant like the one in this project however, would need more than a simply good food, because apparently not many people would care so much to look for fancy food or place to eat while their initial goal was to shop. Anomaly was created to be different and to be able to fill the spot of the fancy spot that shoppers would come to because more than fancy food, Anomaly Kitchen offers a fancy form of eating and interior environment that will create a unique experience for its customers. The restaurant would serve molecular gastronomy dishes. It is a relatively modern way of cooking that generally utilizes unique ways of transforming substance, and in this case food. The space program is relatively simple and consists of a an open kitchen as a focal point, a casual dining space, private dining spaces, and a refrigerating space. The bar in the middle of the plan is the focal point of the space, where chefs can interactively serve the molecular gastronomy experience that consist of a set amount of courses live.
The design is inspired by the process of molecule bonding. The idea came from the food that is served in the restaurant itself and so the design would relate and represents the food that is served in the restaurant.   A big part of the design is the ceiling feature in the open live kitchen area that is located in the middle of the space. It is intended to be the focal point of the space and to grab attention of the people in the space immediately. It is inspired by the geometrical shape representations of molecular bonding that we commonly see. The shape of the columns resemble and complement the geometric ceiling feature and provide the verticality in the space and connect the design of the ceiling and the flooring.   The final element of the design is the application of lighting that complete the impression of modern design approach of the space. The lighting is also used as a signage in the exterior to grab attention of people passing by the building although the restaurant is located at the second level.
/robert kwok/ Anomaly Kitchen  4
/robert kwok/ Anomaly Kitchen  6
The section elevation of the space shows the relation between the interior elements and how the ceiling feature become the focal point as well as the columns to provide the connection of the overall space vertically.
/robert kwok/ Anomaly Kitchen  8
The hanging chandeliers, columns, and ceiling feature at the live kitchen bar are working together with the use of transparency and blue LED lightng to communicate the design of the space as well as the food they serve.
MARKETOLOGY U R B A N FO O D M A R K E T A N D R E S TAU R A N T A high end food market that covers different type of customers. The design is inspired by vintage San Francisco cable car, which is not screaming expensive, but also looking classy and attractive.
/robert kwok/ Marketology  10
Marketology was project beyond designing interiors. We were responsible to create a branding for the upcoming urban food market that aims to do it all: Market, restaurant, prepared food, and coffee shop, all in a high end fashion.   Located in Mission Bay, the project was at the right place to aim a high end market. Within the last three years there were five new residential apartment and condominium buildings, including the one where the project is located. They added up to the existing three apartment buildings built since ten years prior. That was an instant addition of over one thousand and five hundred units and all of them were marketed as high end apartments. These dwellers are the target customers beside the daily commuters and the visitors of the Giants ball park that is located two blocks away.   Due to the residential environment that surround the site it is important to keep the interior feel casual. The program adjacency is also a big part of deciding which area get the priority to the two most strategically placed entrances. In the end, the main entrances were allocated for the fresh products to showcase high quality fresh products that is a big selling point for the market. The middle entrance is allocated for the coffee shop with a wall that shows different directions to get to different areas.
MAR KE TO LO GY
The design goal is to keep
it casual while still reflecting
that Marketology is a high end spot. Inspired by the similar quality of the cable car, materials such as wood and polished wood can deliver the casual feeling while adding details such as LED lighting and custom column added an extra dimension of uniquenes to the overall design.   The logo that I designed was a simple typeface logo and simple looking font that is also reflected in the label design. By incorporating simple graphics and pairing them with the selected font and labels, they create the design that do not stand out for itself, but rather highlighting the products that it carries. These graphics are also applied on the store windows as the signage and a way to communicate with the people walking outside the store.   The unique column is inspired by the experience riding on a cable car where passengers can see beautiful little lights from all around the city, and a little from a traditional way of presenting different stops in a transit map.
/robert kwok/ Marketology  12
checkout counter fresh products
wire shelvings restrooms hanging baskets
wine tasting area
sushi and prepared food
checkout counter
cafe seating
self order stations
hexagonal tile
walk in fridge
oyster/salad bar
open kitchen
communal table
managerial office reception table
restaurant seating
Above: The subtle color pallete helps to pop the color of the fresh products and highlights them to be the main focus of the customers. Bottom: The signage in the coffee shop area is inspired by transit map.
/robert kwok/ Marketology  16
Restaurant is located at the back part of the floor plan. It has its own entrance and customers are welcomed with an attendant at the reception table. The ceiling and floor are designed to lead the customers to the next space.
N AT I O N A L G E O G R A P H I C O F F I C E H E A D Q U A R T E R A N D E X H I B I T I O N S PA C E A two story project consists of office and exhibition space that relates to the global image of the client. The design concept was ukiyo-e, the Japanese woodblock print that, just like the National Geographic, were inspired by nature.
/robert kwok/ National Geographic 18
Unlike other academic projects we have done prior to this, the National Geographic headquarter and exhibition has a strong existing brand image in a global scale. Born in 1888, National Geographic had grown itself into the world leading organization exploring and protecting our planet. They are a collection of multi diciplinary professionals, as they refer themselves as photographers, journalists, and filmmakers. Located in the Presidio San Francisco, the National Geographic headquarter project exists in the middle of a more traditional architecturally built neighborhood. The direct neighboring building of the site is a museum built of red bricks. The building for this project itself was made of concrete and we did not do major changes to maintain how well the building in the neighborhood complement each other. The surrounding environment is relatively open and let the site to get a good amount of sunlight at all time of the year. The project consists of two stories that fit exhibition space and office space. The first floor is open to public access and is allocated for exhibition space, cafe, and museum store. The second floor is limited for office use by staff and approved guests and can be accessed directly from the stairs next to the back door. The program itself consists of open work space, reception, two separate meeting rooms, resting pods, kitchenette, and private offices.
The design concept, ukiyo-e that is also known as the Japanese woodblock print surprisingly shares a lot of similarities of its background with National Geographic. Just like the works done by National Geographic, many of the subjects of ukiyo-e were inspired by the nature, such as floral prints, birds, and the infamous hokusai wave.   The low contrast of the ukiyo-e inspired the minimal amount of different materials that are used in each space. For example, the office reception in the picture on the right consist of concrete wall, flooring, and custom reception desk. The wall behind the desk is a represents the three things that shape the National Geographic: the planet represented by the living wall, the people represented by the tiles, and National Graphic themselves which is their own logo that frames the wall perimeter. The rest of the office area consist many multifunctional spaces that might be used for working so the staff may less likely to get bored and benefit from the dynamic experience to get more inspirations or privacy.
/robert kwok/ National Geographic  20
Above The open workspace area can be easily rearrange to accomodate working in teams and let the members sit facing each other when needed. Bottom: The reception is located next to one of the meeting rooms. The sign is easily recognized and the graphics on the glass keep the space private.
/robert kwok/ National Geographic  22
Exhibition space is minimally deisgned with the intention to let the exhibits showcased in the space to be the highlight. Each semi transparent frame encloses visitors to have a one on one moment to enjoy the exhibit.
The corner walls in this private office area is a perfect spot to place simple signage that lead guests to different area they are heading to. The LED indicates whether the manager/director is present inside.
acknowledgements
There are so many of you that come right to my mind that undoubtedly you are part of my journey completing my degree and part of my growth as a designer and as a person. I really wish I can write all of your names, but of all, I want these people to know that they are truly special to me throughout my time earning my degree. I am grateful that I had the chance to know you, learn from you, and experience kindness.
Archana Myer, Serena Zanello, Archie Woo, Stephan Hoffpauir, Steffie Wu, Connie Santoso, Chia Chi Chang, Larissa Kwok,
and finally, my parents and siblings,
Thank you.