Cover Interior designer and Tatler Asia’s Most Influential awardee Joyce Wang with her newest project, the Laurean Residences by Ayala Land Premier in Makati (Photo stylised by Celine Dabao, featuring artists’ renditions of the space)
Interior designer and Tatler Asia’s Most Influential awardee Joyce Wang with her newest project, the Laurean Residences by Ayala Land Premier in Makati (Photo stylised by Celine Dabao, featuring artists’ renditions of the space)
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With grace and grit, Asia’s Most Influential awardee Joyce Wang takes on her biggest project yet: Ayala Land’s Laurean Residences in the heart of Makati
For most people, going to the bank is a routine activity. But for Asia’s Most Influential HK awardee Joyce Wang, the light-filled atrium of HSBC was a transformative experience. “I remember that day like it was yesterday,” she enthused about her childhood experience.
Wang was enthralled by the functionality on display, with the clerks behind their desks and people carting papers around. To her, it felt like peering into the inner workings of the human body, an inside-out experience that would go on to define her design journey. “I asked my mom, ‘Who does this?’ And she said, ‘They’re called architects.’ That’s when I knew I wanted to do the same thing one day.”
When asked to summarise her design philosophy in one word, Wang chose ‘cinematic.’ “These spaces are powerful, imprinting something visceral on the people who enter them. My memories are mostly composed of the feelings I had in the spaces I’ve entered. When I design, I always ask myself how I can make that space resonate with someone long after they’ve left the room.”
This atmospheric approach to design now extends to her most recent project, the Laurean Residences by Ayala Land Premier. Located in the lifestyle district of Dela Rosa Gardens, Makati, the expansive half-hectare property features a sanctuary that converses with the bustling city around it.
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Above Joyce Wang at the event launching Ayala Laurean Residences in Makati
Joyce Wang at the event launching Ayala Laurean Residences in Makati
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Wang’s strength lies in her ability to weave such distinctive elements together, creating a sense of holistic wellness for all who step into Ayala Land’s new Laurean Residences. “I’m fascinated by the hospitality aspect of the project,” reflected Wang. “With homes, once the doors close, the project is over. But with the Laurean, we can witness people’s reactions to the space unfold in real time.”
What sets the Laurean apart from other residential spaces in Manila is the signature blend of flexibility and tranquillity that Ayala Land is known for. Their level of care seamlessly integrates with Wang’s cinematic yet community-centric approach. “Ayala’s history played a lot into the language of design,” said Wang. She took inspiration from the founders’ view of real estate developments as a game of chess: although it seems like one step forward, each action paves the way for a more significant plan to unfold.
Another element of the Laurean Residences’ design is rooted in Ayala Triangle’s original function as an airstrip. “We looked into the fluidity of materials used, contrasting that with the image of a chessboard,” said Wang. “But we didn’t want things to feel black-and-white; we wanted them to be more of a tactile framework for us to build upon, both literally and figuratively.”
Above An artist's rendition of the library of Ayala Laurean Residences, designed by Joyce Wang
Above An artist's rendition of the two-bedroom apartment at Ayala Laurean Residences, designed by Joyce Wang
An artist's rendition of the library of Ayala Laurean Residences, designed by Joyce Wang
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Wang leaned into the warm, inviting elements to redefine sophisticated city living. “With this project, we wanted to prove that luxury is more than marble tables and crystal chandeliers,” she said. Her work with Filipino artisans formed the trifecta of design inspirations for the Laurean Residences, with the draping and pleating of fabrics adding softness to each space.
Makati is a dream residential spot for many. It is often cited for its convenient proximity to commercial areas and community-building events, as well as for the unexpected pops of greenery sprinkled throughout the city. “You have amazing trees here, which take hundreds of years to grow,” said Wang. “Seeing initiatives like car-free Sundays, farmers’ markets and playgrounds made me want to maintain that connection to nature, without sacrificing the convenience of city life.”
As the founder and principal of her eponymous studio with projects spanning from Hong Kong to London and beyond, Wang is no stranger to the buzzword ‘sustainability.’ “We use leather and wood, materials that show signs of wear over time,” she said. Each material is intentionally chosen for its durability and continuity throughout the space.
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Above An artist's rendition of the two-bedroom apartment at Ayala Laurean Residences, designed by Joyce Wang
An artist's rendition of the two-bedroom apartment at Ayala Laurean Residences, designed by Joyce Wang
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More than that, her goal is to create a timeless experience that, in line with her overarching philosophy, feels truly cinematic for everyone who enters it. In a world that prioritises the most efficient approach, Wang refuses to lose the creative, human spark that places her fingerprint indelibly on each project. Her ability to tie together discrete elements–a gleaming chessboard, an aeroplane’s sloping interior, and exquisite tapestries–is informed by her constant curiosity. Wang is a keen collector of experiences and emotions distilled into the boundaries of a space, taking an approach that cannot be replicated by machines.
For Wang, there is no substitute for developing resilience and trust in one’s unique path. She fondly recalls staying up all night working on her architectural models, her hands covered in glue, beaming with pride over her heartfelt creations. “I hope one day to be remembered for my rigour,” she shared. “As much as one can be talented, there is no replacement for pouring years of one’s life into their craft.” The result of that hard work is best showcased in her collaboration with Ayala Land at the Laurean Residences, a triumph of wisdom and grit.
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About
Celine first read Charlotte’s Web at the age of five–and she hasn’t stopped turning pages since. Her favourite authors are Mona Awad and Nat Cassidy. Besides writing for Tatler, she listens to BTS and spends time with her family.
Work
Celine took up secondary education with a major in English, graduating from De La Salle University in 2023. She advocates for female empowerment through creative expression by writing for Tatler Homes.
For story leads or inquiries, you may reach out to her via celine.dabao@tatlerasia.com.
