DESIGN OF THE TIMES

Step inside the sun-drenched Southside loft of designer Sean Dix, and explore his eclectic collection of rare finds from the mid-century period

- Andrea Lo

Visiting Sean Dix's Southside home feels like taking a trip back to the late 1950s through to the mid-1960s-a period that the Hong Kong- and Milan-based interior architect and furniture designer, who is the founder of Dix Design + Architecture, calls his "main passion".

"That was really the peak period for furniture design and industrial design," Dix says. "[It had] an approach to design which I follow." Much of what we see in his work today, through "this weird accumulation of objects" he has in his home, are pieces that have touched him in some way "because they showed respect for materials and there was a real intelligence behind it".

US native Dix is known for designing some of Hong Kong's hottest restaurants and bars, as well as boutiques, showrooms and offices for luxury brands, and occasionally residential projects. These include some of the bars and restaurants inside the recently opened Forty-Five Landmark; Yardbird's former and current locations; and many others that make frequent appearances on best-of lists, including Tatler Dining Awards 2023 winners Ho Lee Fook and Mora. His portfolio spans projects around the world, including Moschino's headquarters in Milan and the restoration of a 1928 cinema complex in Siberia. He also has a signature line of furniture. His projects are famed for their modern yet timeless aesthetic. "I try to avoid trends-they tend to look dated even before the project is completed," he says. "I like to go back to the roots for my inspiration: vintage objects, modern art and design.