Philia
Magazine

OFFHAND PRACTICE is a Shanghai-based design studio founded in 2019 by Yuan Yuan and Nie Xuan. Working across interior design, exhibition, and spatial design, the studio develops projects defined by a thoughtful balance of experimentation, material sensitivity, and contextual awareness. Their practice embraces curiosity and hands-on exploration, approaching each commission as an opportunity to uncover the essence of a place through careful observation and refinement.

Guided by the belief that meaningful spaces emerge from an ongoing dialogue between people and their surroundings, OFFHAND PRACTICE creates interiors that are understated yet deeply expressive. Their portfolio includes projects such as Aesop Suzhou Cangjie Store, Déjà Vu Recycle Store in Shanghai, and Brownie / Project M50 Gallery, each reflecting the studio’s commitment to authenticity, clarity, and enduring spatial experiences.

David Samuel Ko is an American designer and founder of Maison Ko, a Los Angeles–based interior design studio whose practice spans residential, commercial, and event design. Drawing on a multidisciplinary background in fashion, styling, photography, and interiors, he creates spaces that blur the boundaries between fashion and interior design, combining a sharp sense of style with an honest and approachable design philosophy.

After beginning his career in fashion public relations while apprenticing at an interior design firm, Ko founded Maison Ko to bring his multidisciplinary creative vision to life. Through the studio, he develops thoughtfully curated interiors that reflect each client’s personality and celebrates the belief that design is a deeply personal experience. His work has been featured in publications including Architectural Digest, Domino, and Clever.

Esra Kazmirci is a Turkish interior architect and designer based in Istanbul, where she founded Esra Kazmirci Mimarlık in 2012. Working across residential, hospitality, commercial, and yacht interiors, her multidisciplinary practice is guided by a refined balance between functionality and aesthetics, creating timeless environments that respond thoughtfully to the lifestyles and aspirations of their inhabitants.

Before establishing her own studio, Kazmirci gained experience in leading architecture and design practices while also working as a decoration and fashion editor, an experience that shaped her sensitivity to materials, composition, and visual storytelling. Approaching each project as a collaborative dialogue with the client, she develops spaces that reflect both individual identity and contemporary living. Rooted in a belief that thoughtful design can positively influence well-being, her work is distinguished by its elegant simplicity, artistic perspective, and enduring sense of place.

Luca Rizzi Brignoli is an Italian architect and designer, and co-founder of V10 | 惟拾设计, a cross-cultural design studio established with Chinese architect Fang Zhou. Working across architecture, interiors, and collectible design, the duo develops projects that merge Italian design heritage with contemporary Oriental perspectives, creating spaces and objects shaped by material exploration, craftsmanship, and cultural dialogue.

Coming from a family of furniture makers, Brignoli brings a deep appreciation for making and production to his practice. Through architecture, furniture, and collectible objects, he explores repetition, rhythm, and the expressive potential of materials, creating works that balance architectural clarity with refined craftsmanship while transcending fixed stylistic boundaries.

Stephanie Betesh is an American interior designer and the founder of Ember Studio, a New York–based practice working across hospitality, residential, and product design. Trained at the University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture, she approaches each project through an architecturally informed lens, creating spaces that balance functionality, personality, and human connection.

Guided by a holistic design philosophy, Betesh explores the relationship between objects and their environment, from interior architecture to custom furnishings. In addition to her design practice, she has developed furniture and lighting collections through Ember Studio, available at Colony in New York, and recently launched Riffmade, a renter-friendly furniture brand focused on adaptable and accessible design.