BUILD Q4 2026 Lo Chen is the Founder and Creative Director of Lo Chen Design, a full-service interior design studio based in New York and Hong Kong. The firm specialises in residential, commercial, and hospitality interiors in Manhattan, the Hamptons, Miami, and internationally. We heard more from Lo herself following her recent recognition in the Architecture Awards 2026. Hospitality Interior Designer of the Year 2026 (New York): Lo Chen Contact: Lo Chen Company: Lo Chen Design Web Address: www.lochendesign.com Having grown up in cosmopolitan Hong Kong and studied extensively in New York, Lo Chen’s designs reflect clear influences from both Eastern and Western cultures. Integrating each client’s specific tastes and aspirations with the limitless possibilities of space, form, colour, light, and material, Lo is renowned for her refined craftsmanship and impeccable attention to detail across a wide range of hospitality, residential, and commercial projects. Though Lo is capable of delivering designs across an array of environments, the Creative Director does favour a particular setting. “Hospitality is where I love to design,” she told us. “I’m a lifelong diner who studies rooms as much as menus, and each restaurant project lets me learn about a different culture and cuisine. One of my favourite projects is MITOUSHI in New York, which has since been renamed Masuta.” MITOUSHI is a well-known Japanese restaurant in the Brooklyn neighbourhood, built around the concept of Japanese fusion: two identities layered into one experience. When designing MITOUSHI, Lo ensured that every decision served this core concept while also maintaining the restaurant’s comfort and profitability. The first step in the restaurant design process is determining the layout. MITOUSHI required separate paths for front-of-house and back-ofhouse staff to prevent bottlenecks and awkward collisions during service. Lo designated these paths before positioning the reception, waiting area, and wine bar near the front to welcome guests, with a sushi bar, restrooms, and kitchen towards the back of the restaurant. For Lo, the main space-planning challenge was seating parties of every size in one room without compromising the quality of the experience. She divided the dining area into three zones, each suited to a different group dynamic: linear booths and freestanding tables for small and mid-sized groups; circular booths in the middle for larger, more social parties; and a lounge raised by two steps and set apart from the dining area to add depth to the room. With the layout complete, Lo moved on to the design of the room. Warm tones stimulate the appetite and create a welcoming mood, so she selected a palette of gold, copper, taupe, and medium-dark wood. This brand identity carried through to the furniture, finishes, and wall art. Sculptural golden-copper modular panels by Architectural System were installed on both sides of the dining area to add energy. They also double as acoustic panels, absorbing sound during peak hours so that the room never becomes uncomfortably loud. When furnishing MITOUSHI, Lo opted for straight and curved booths, all custom-designed in faux leather for comfort and durability. The material also makes them easy to clean. The tables and chairs were selected for their comfort, sturdiness, and ease of maintenance. Together, these elements build on the warm, comforting brand identity established by MITOUSHI and help ensure a consistently exceptional guest experience. Lo Chen Design layered ambient, task, and accent lighting to set the mood while keeping menus easy to read. Her team provided the ceiling plan and selected, and sometimes custom-designed, lighting for each space and function. Catellani & Smith wire pendants cast shifting shadows across the ceiling, allowing the restaurant’s atmosphere to change throughout service. A custom, organic chandelier made from rustic live-edge wood adds warmth and personality above the sushi bar. A curved soffit conceals the ceiling piping while creating movement and flow into the dining room, masterfully blending function and form. Finally came the feature wall. “Guests remember a restaurant for its moments, so we designed one on purpose,” Lo told us. “The striking image of an elegant woman with red lips expresses the concept: two identities layered into one image, just as fusion cuisine layers two culinary traditions onto one plate. It is also a bold, appetising symbol of dining. Guests love taking photos in front of it, which makes it a fun, memorable part of their visit.” Every aspect of this project, from design and drawings to budgeting, tracking, purchasing, and project management, was overseen entirely by Lo Chen Design. The result was a beautiful restaurant, delivered seamlessly on time and on budget, reinforcing Lo Chen’s well-earned status as New York’s Hospitality Interior Designer of the Year 2026.
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