Steensen Varming announces the establishment of their new studio in Hong Kong as part of the company’s one global studio development strategy.
Near the waterfront on Hong Kong Island, Steensen Varming will be moving into new offices with another leading Danish design firm, Henning Larsen Architects. Apart from the office, Steensen Varming shares a strong Danish heritage and approach to design that has seen them develop into globally operating companies with involvement in a wide range of iconic buildings.
Steensen Varming was founded by Niels Steensen and Jørgen Varming in Copenhagen in 1933. They collaborated with Arne Jacobsen, Basil Spence, James Stirling, and other masters of twentieth century architecture. New offices were opened in Dublin, Edinburgh and London and the Sydney Opera House commission with Jørn Utzon in 1957 led to the company’s establishment in Sydney, Australia, from which further studios have been established in New York and now Hong Kong.
Steensen Varming provides high specialist services in mechanical and electrical engineering, lighting and sustainable design encompassing architectural and urban design, the private, corporate and public sectors, modest upgrades and World Heritage Sites.
The company considers Hong Kong as an important and buoyant market with great opportunities in the building industry. CEO Dan Mackenzie notes: “Hong Kong is a uniquely global business city strategically located in the heart of Asia and provides a gateway to opportunities within the South East Asian market and Mainland China. The establishment in Hong Kong is an important step in our global development strategy, however, being global means more to us than expansion or having a physical presence in different countries – it is a way of thinking inherent in our culture and outlook. We need to offer all our clients the best expertise available and this only comes from operating in dynamic and diverse markets”
The office will be managed by Director Chris Arkins who leads and coordinates Steensen Varming’s commitment to sustainable design across the company’s global studios.
“We believe our unique approach to innovative and collaborative design represents a niche market opportunity for Steensen Varming in offering sustainability and specialist architectural lighting design services. Hong Kong is a dynamic city and a great place for creative companies to operate and service the increasing demand in Asia for design excellence and innovation which has been the essence of our company since it was originally founded” says Chris Arkins.
The company has a growth strategy based on employing and retaining the best talent in the industry and currently employs people in the five different countries on four continents, working from a unique one-studio approach, where studios tap into the skill base of local talent and all employees work and contribute with their combined global expertise on projects, but with personal service and essential local knowledge.
