Philia
Magazine
Increments Studio
Increments Studio is a Melbourne-based architecture practice founded by Naomi Ng and Liang Hu, whose work explores the intersection of architecture, interiors, and spatial experience. Guided by a philosophy that architecture should resonate rather than demand attention, the studio creates spaces defined by quiet restraint, material sensitivity, and a profound connection to their surroundings.
Approaching each project as a unique response to its context and users, Increments Studio places particular emphasis on light, materiality, proportion, and atmosphere, crafting environments that are both grounded and poetic. Their practice spans residential, hospitality, cultural, and installation projects, united by a commitment to resource-conscious design and meaningful human experience. Recognised internationally, the studio’s work has received accolades including the Dezeen Awards and Architizer A+Awards, reflecting an approach where architecture becomes a vehicle for reflection, belonging, and enduring emotional resonance.
HCCH Studio
HCCH was founded by Hao Chen and Chenchen Hu in Shanghai in 2018. The studio observes, understands, and responds to its surroundings with boldness and imagination. By mediating and challenging existing paradigms of type, scale, material, and codes, HCCH seeks to explore and amplify the utmost character of each specific project.
Both Hao and Chenchen studied in Shanghai, Vienna, and Boston. They hold Bachelor’s degrees in Architecture from Tongji University and Master’s degrees in Architecture and Urban Design from Harvard GSD.
Grzegorz Majka 5 Picks From Philia Collection
Grzegorz Majka is a self-taught Polish artist who explores the concepts of modularity, sculptural form, and artisanal processes in the design of furniture and lighting. His work seamlessly blends craft and contemporary design, incorporating high-quality noble materials like natural stone, wood, metals, and hand-blown glass. Guided by a deep respect for the inherent character of materials, Grzegorz highlights natural irregularities, textures, and patterns – veins in stone, the living patina of untreated metals, the organic feel of brushed surfaces. These elements are not hidden but embraced, inviting collectors on a sensory journey through touch and time.
His studio practice focuses on handcrafted limited-edition furniture that is not only functional, but also living, authentic, and collectible art.
Jamie Banfield
Jamie Banfield is the principal designer of Jamie Banfield Design Inc., based in Port Moody, British Columbia. Originally from Wales and later settling in the Pacific Northwest, Jamie developed an early interest in architecture and design, influenced by his father’s work in construction and his own penchant for DIY and creative exploration. His style is often described as relaxed yet sophisticated West Coast, with an emphasis on natural materials, layered textures, and thoughtful functionality. Over the years, Jamie and his team have been recognized for their work in Canadian residential design, and he frequently shares insights at home and design shows across the country.
Lu Yun
Lu Yun is the founder and principal architect of MUDA-Architects, an international practice he established in 2015 in Beijing and Boston, later expanding with a Chengdu office in 2017. With a Bachelor of Architecture rooted in traditional domestic architectural education, his work is guided by an ongoing pursuit of metaphysical reflection within practical design processes.
Before founding MUDA, he gained significant experience at MAD Architects and GMP International, contributing to major projects such as the Lianyungang Industrial Exhibition Center, Hangzhou South Railway Station, Tianjin Binhai Cultural Center, and the Beijing Central Park Complex. These formative roles strengthened his holistic understanding of large-scale design and construction.
Today, Lu Yun leads MUDA-Architects with a design philosophy grounded in locality, contemporaneity, and a Futuristic Oriental mindset. The studio has received international recognition, including the United States Residential Stadium International Competition Award and the Xinglong Lake Bookstore Competition. As principal architect, he has overseen notable projects such as the Garden Hotpot Restaurant, Xinglong Lake CITIC Bookstore, M50 Art Hotel, Haikou Xixiu Park Visitor Center, and the Tianfu Museum of Chinese Medicine—establishing MUDA-Architects as a distinctive voice in contemporary architecture.
Ransom & Dunn
Ransom & Dunn is a lifestyle and interiors brand founded by American-born, London-based designers Julia Ransom and Johanna Dunn. Established with a commitment to balance, the studio explores the intersection of aesthetic and function, classic and contemporary, strength and sensuality.
Drawing from backgrounds in fashion, retail, and finance, Ransom and Dunn bring a considered, curatorial approach to furniture and objects designed as enduring cornerstones of the home. Their debut collection reflects a dialogue between neoclassical references and 20th-century design, realised through tactile materials such as marble, stone, wood, and rich textiles. United by a shared vision of timeless living, the duo creates refined pieces shaped by both visual restraint and purposeful design.
Luis Gimeno Picks From Philia Collection
Luis Gimeno is a furniture and lighting designer whose practice is guided by timeless design, craftsmanship, and sustainability. Creating made-to-order pieces, he embraces a thoughtful approach that prioritizes quality, longevity, and low-impact production over mass manufacturing. Inspired by the organic forms of 1960s and 1970s design, Gimeno works with natural materials such as wood, glass, and sand to create warm, sculptural objects that balance everyday function with enduring beauty. Rooted in material honesty and thoughtful making, his work seeks to foster a lasting connection between people and the spaces they inhabit.
