Behind the Designs: An exclusive interview with William Lim, the architect, the admirable, the artist

Following the emergence of LV The Place, the first Louis Vuitton 4 component concept in Asia, which brings the concept of lifestyle to another level. Apart from the finest decoration and precious element of Louis Vuitton is every detail. Another crucial factor contributing to its triumph is undoubtedly its strategic “location”. Situated within the renovated Gaysorn Amarin shopping centre, envisioned through the visionary perspective of William Lim, the recipient of the Grand Award and Special Award for Culture in Design for Asia Award 2013. Today, #Legend_th invites you to delve into his persona, thoughts, and narratives through this exclusive interview

At approximately 10:00 a.m. on March 19th, the appointed meeting place wasn’t anywhere far-flung, but rather at the Plantiful café located on the ground floor of the Gaysorn Amarin shopping centre. William Lim appeared in a modern twist suit, with shades of grey, as #Legend_th greeted him before transitioning to the upper-level reception room of the Amarin Tower, with the assistance of Panuwat Phanpathansil (Trust) who is project development manager at Gaysorn Property, ensuring utmost privacy and exclusivity for our special conversation.

The Architect

Although not widely known in Thailand, on the global stage, William Lim is considered one of the foremost architects from Hong Kong, boasting over 30 years of prominence in the architectural sphere. As the Managing Director of CL3, a renowned architectural studio from Hong Kong, his expertise is evident through various projects worldwide.

“Many children may lean towards science, while others may be intrigued by maths, I was the type of child who had a keen interest in art from a young age,” Lim shared with us when asked about his childhood interests. Reflecting on the origins of his passion for architecture and design, he added, “It’s not that I wasn’t interested in science, and I did well in mathematics too. But art was the most captivating and fascinating subject to me. Perhaps because it allows me to unleash my creativity and thoughts freely. Therefore, I decided to pursue architecture studies because it integrates art, creativity, mathematics, and a rational way of thinking.”

With confidence in his architectural path, William Lim decided to pursue further studies in architecture at Cornell University in the United States. He also worked as an architect in Boston for over 5 years before returning to establish CL3 in 1992. “During my studies and work in the United States, everything revolved around Western architecture. Back then, architectural design was affected by urban growth and the theory of Le Corbusier’s “City within a City” really influenced William’s thinking about architecture.

Many spaces and structures have been supplemented with various functions to make them more useful. It’s no longer about specialised office buildings or residences exclusively, but buildings that can serve as mixed-use spaces, akin to a city itself. Conversely, upon returning to work in Asia later on, I believe that architectural design nowadays is more closely related to the concept of “Urban Regeneration” than ever before. In other words, it’s a design philosophy that can enhance the quality of the neighbourhood, sustainability, and environment, and improve the residents’ living conditions simultaneously. It’s a step beyond the “City within a city” concept,” William Lim shared with us about the changes in architecture from his perspective over the years.

The Admirable

Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, Gaysorn Amarin is the latest flagship project meticulously crafted by CL3, which underwent an extensive renovation spanning over 6 years. It’s challenging not to delve deeper into the origins and inspirations behind this monumental project.

“The main concept of the Gaysorn Amarin project is to offer a place that can provide diverse experiences. Gaysorn Amarin is the final piece of the ‘Gaysorn’ trilogy. We aim to elevate the interior space of Gaysorn Amarin beyond just a shopping centre surrounded by various brand stores. Instead, we want it to be a space that allows people to come together, share lifestyles, and also serves as a venue for exhibitions or various events and activities simultaneously,” William Lim explained about the initial concept behind the design of Gaysorn Amarin before delving into the details of the structural renovation in the next stage.

“Given that the structure of the original Amarin building reflects the Neo-Classical style from the 1980s, which is both iconic and rare to find in today’s context, the main design inspiration for this project came from integrating an Asian lifestyle into the Greco-Roman architecture. This inspiration is conveyed through its Greek-Roman columns located at various points and the vast open space in the middle akin to a piazza. My team and I were determined to preserve these classic components rather than simply demolish and replace them with something contemporary, despite it being much easier for us to do so. We wanted to respect the heritage and original value of the structure, and I believe it’s this core value that makes the space at Gaysorn Amarin stand out. For this reason, it became the first giga renovation project for me and my team, spanning over 6 years. And when the results came out as envisioned, I firmly believe every moment invested was worthwhile.”

The success of the Gaysorn Amarin project is unquestionable, but what drove both William Lim and CL3 to create such remarkable and distinctive work remains a question on many minds. “Some may believe that architects must always listen to clients and never challenge them. However, I see it differently. As designers, we must ‘dare’ to challenge and present our ideas boldly at times. If you are lucky enough to have good clients, they will listen and accept, resulting in something unique and interesting. When we believe we are offering the best, most suitable solutions to our clients, it’s crucial to have confidence in our ideas and the courage to fight for them to come to fruition. Otherwise, you’ll end up working repetitively without anything truly different or outstanding. And if that’s the case, this industry might not be the right choice for you,” William Lim emphasised when asked about the secret weapon of success he wants to pass on to the aspiring new generation interested in the architectural profession.

The Artist

For art enthusiasts, especially in the Asian region, William Lim is widely acclaimed as a highly respected artist. His works enjoy global renown and have been featured in premier art exhibitions in Paris, Singapore, Macau and Art Basel Hong Kong, an internationally recognised and prestigious event. “I think people know me as an architect because that’s my profession. I have to communicate with clients, provide consultations, and present solutions to them. But when it comes to art, it’s quite the opposite. I don’t have clients, and I’m not required to solve anyone’s problems. It’s about me as an individual,” William Lim revealed the clear distinction between the two disciplines that he passionately embraces.

“Art has often been my medium for expressing emotions, and many times, I’ve felt genuinely better after picking up a brush. As a child, I was fond of drawing, but this interest had to take a backseat when I pursued a career in architecture. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I found myself reconnecting with my artistic side and creating art once again,” William Lim revealed. He further disclosed that initially, he wasn’t concerned about whether anyone appreciated his work or not. However, after posting his artwork on Instagram and receiving positive reactions, it became a driving force for him to continue creating art. “It’s been about four years now since I’ve earnestly delved back into art. I’ve had the opportunity to exhibit my work in various shows, including twice in Art Basel Hong Kong, which was incredibly rewarding for me. I can’t say if architecture is more challenging than art, but emotionally, I feel that art presents higher challenges. Perhaps because there’s no one telling you what to do next, there are no guidelines except your own feelings. And when your work is out there for the world to see, the anxiety about societal responses is something that inevitably follows. Personally, I see it as quite strong and emotionally challenging,” he concluded.

As the interview draws to a close before this special interview concludes, it ends with a signature question from #Legend “Who is your legend?” Despite lingering in the realms of art and design for so long, when it comes to art, William Lim himself holds someone in high regard. “I used to think that artists like Monet, from the Impressionist movement, inspired my work, but when I started creating art myself, it wasn’t. But artists like Paul Gauguin, who crafted his work through the use of volume, that’s the kind of uniqueness I admire. It’s the identity of art that captivates me. And for this reason, Paul Gauguin is a ‘Legend’ in my eyes. Much of my artwork has drawn inspiration from his works to some extent or another,” he concluded, expressing his admiration and respect for the renowned artist before wrapping up this exclusive interview with #Legend_th.

Also See: Tumi stays on the cutting edge with Tokyo boutique