Parenthesis

Parenthesis is a design studio that explores the in between: the quiet spaces, subtle gestures, and thoughtful pauses that elevate the everyday. Rooted in a philosophy of thoughtful restraint and clarity, the studio strikes a balance between form and feeling, contrast and continuity. The founders—design directors Yanika Gunawan, Molina Hun, and Sujono Lim—approach each project as an opportunity to create meaning through form, material, and light. “Our work spans interiors, objects, and spatial experiences, with a focus on cultivating a sense of place and presence,” they share. “We believe in design as a conversation—between context and intent, function and feeling, client and creator.”

Previously classmates at Lasalle College of the Arts, the three founders parted ways to work at separate firms. Hun and Lim founded Sujonohun and eventually reconnected with Gunawan at an industry event. “That’s when the conversation began about possibly joining forces and starting something on our own,” they tell us. “We thought that Parenthesis could be a vessel for diversity and collaboration, allowing us to explore projects in a unique way by combining our creative thinking.”

The firm was established in 2018 and now comprises a team of 10 in Singapore and 15 in Indonesia, the latter of whom assist the former with documentation, drawings, and 3D visualisation. In every detail, they seek to balance the poetic and the practical, always leaving room for reflection, interpretation, and the unexpected.

Their projects are approached as a quiet dialogue between architecture and its inhabitants, shaping immersive, experiential environments. Parenthesis works across residential, hospitality, and cultural spaces, with a sensibility that is both contemporary and contemplative. “To us, design is not about filling space; it’s about framing what matters.”