Through his projects, Joe Cheng blends regional tradition with modernity to create spaces where attention to detail, sensitivity, and sustainability define the new standards of Asian luxury.
Joe Cheng embodies an approach to high-end interior design that combines meticulous craftsmanship with a sensitivity to spatial storytelling. As the founder of Cheng Chung Design (CCD), he has created hotels and residences that seem less concerned with catching the eye than with establishing a sensitive relationship between the user and their environment.
Born in Hong Kong, Joe Cheng studied at the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts and later at the South China University of Technology. He left academia to launch his own firm, CCD, some thirty years ago. According to a profile published by The Peak Magazine, the firm now has nine international offices, with its global headquarters in Shenzhen, and an Asia-Pacific office that opened in October 2024 at the Collyer Quay Centre in Singapore.
A Signature Style Rooted in Detail
Cheng’s work places a strong emphasis on the quality of touch, spatial composition, and the use of light. According to The Peak Magazine, each project is treated like a musical score: proportions, rhythm, interaction with the landscape, and the selection of furniture all contribute to creating a coherent and intentional atmosphere. One could say that every element has a role to play.
For Cheng, “a sense of relaxation” sums up his vision of luxury. The Peak Magazine explains that he contrasts ostentation with what he calls a form of “inner spiritual nourishment.” He also asserts that modern luxury among affluent clients prioritizes what might be called “quiet elegance”—a discreet aesthetic that fosters intimacy and well-being.
This idea is reflected in several projects. For example, the Waldorf Astoria Shanghai Qiantan seeks to create a contemplative and private atmosphere, according to the launch press release shared by Hilton Stories. Similarly, One Central Park in Shanghai reinterprets the idea of making everyday life more “hotel-like,” where the refinement of a hotel influences the residential experience, according to Archilovers.
CCD draws on regional traditions while also incorporating contemporary craftsmanship. The Angsana Chengdu Wenjiang, featured by The Plan and Indesign Live, for example, incorporates the courtyard layout and Qing-era elements—sloped roofs, bamboo structures, and local materials—to create a micro-resort centered on the concept of “healing living.”
For its part, the InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland, which received the Outstanding Property Award in 2020, plays with the aesthetics of a mine: its natural rock walls and interior cliffs create a unique world, according to the report.
Amplifying the Voices of Chinese Designers
According to The Peak Magazine, Cheng notes that international recognition of Chinese designers was not immediate. He describes a progression: from initial rejection, to acceptance, and finally to contributing to the standards of major global hotel chains.
He cites ambitious projects such as The Dali EDITION, which is expected to be completed this year. This project engages with the spectacular landscape of Mount Cangshan and Erhai Lake, blending local elements with the contemporary spirit unique to the EDITION brand, he explains.
CCD is reinterpreting the Haipai heritage in Shanghai, notably with One Central Park, according to Archilovers. The Regent Shanghai on the Bund offers a reinterpretation of modern elegance, yet with references to history, as noted by Swiss-Architects. These projects share a common thread: merging urban memory with the demands of the contemporary world.
Sustainability and Regional Climate
In his projects in Southeast Asia, Cheng emphasizes openness to climatic and natural factors. The Peak Magazine reports that in Bali and Phuket, luxury is defined by light, natural ventilation, and a connection to the local vegetation. The Angsana Chengdu Wenjiang, meanwhile, also demonstrates a particular focus on the use of local materials and sustainable practices, according to The Plan and Indesign Live.
CCD’s design philosophy is characterized by understated elegance rather than ostentation. The various awards and accolades, in fact, confirm this consistency in an aesthetic centered on sensory experience and materiality. However, it is also true that this ambition to reconcile cultural preservation with global expansion poses challenges: how to address climate issues, responsible sourcing, and authenticity on a large scale?
Joe Cheng has successfully built a creative identity that prioritizes slowness and attention to detail. According to The Peak Magazine and other specialized publications, his work spans various fields—architecture, luxury hotels, and residential projects—always driven by a desire to translate contexts and memories into spatial experiences. This approach helps raise the profile of Chinese talent on the global stage, while also raising questions about cultural and ecological sustainability in the medium term.