Satisfied customers are architect Krishom Architecture’s goal

Krishom Holding, the prestigious commercial interior design architect, and its subsidiary Kadriden Architecture, a luxury residential interior design specialist, both offer one-stop quality interior design and build services for well-known clients.

Krishom’s commercial portfolio reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of businesses and developers of Hong Kong. Even sections of the Hong Kong government are listed as clients of this architecture and interior design company started in 1994 by Nison Chan, chairman of the group and chief designer. Currently located in Happy Valley on Hong Kong Island, the group plans to expand to Kowloon and the New Territories soon, as businesses and people move closer to China and take advantage of the greater available space.

Chan said he has developed an innovative project management system to make sure all the company’s projects are delivered on time and on budget. “We treat our customers’ money as if it were our own, and we treat our customers as our friends whom we don’t want to let down. We take care of everything, from brainstorming to planning to designing and building each project. We also manage the subcontractors, who have to go through the same process as our own designers and workers.

“The construction process guide allows us to monitor every project down to the last detail on a daily basis. Our process book explains how to do everything, from large residential flat and home flooring and bathrooms to large- cale commercial and office designing or remodeling, and how to order and use the correct materials. 

Our customers trust us to make the designs harmonious and functional, whether residential or commercial. “We have learned from our mistakes and realize that discipline is very important for every project. We take photographs of our progress and send one every week to our customers so they can see our progress. We must finish on time because we know the inconvenience that is caused by delays and overruns”, he said.

He proudly displayed the thank-you and referral letters that the company has accrued over the years. “All our business now comes from referrals, from show flats to private homes, from commercial businesses to large property developments. We often get repeat business from people who move to a bigger flat or a commercial client that opens more shops or offices. More than half our clients are from the Mainland now, and business is booming”, Chan said.

One of the jobs of which he is particularly proud is the Consulate General of Kuwait’s residence in Hong Kong, which was put to world-wide tender. Kadriden won the bid against all the other designers from the USA, Japan and Europe. One client’s house in Clearwater Bay, measuring over 20,000 square feet, was a challenge that the company eagerly took on. Kadriden specialises in large luxury properties, starting around 3,000 sq. ft. “The bigger, the better”, according to Chan.

In the beginning, Krishom’s clients were mostly from the commercial and retail market sectors. Chief Designer Chan said, “Since we first started Krishom Architecture, we have been providing comprehensive interior design space solutions and project management services for many reputable and listed companies in Hong Kong, most of whom, over the years, have become repeat customers”. 

Its impressive portfolio of commercial clients reads like the listings on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, ranging from supermarkets chains to fashion to beauty outlets as well as banks and department stores, and show flats for developers to demonstrate clever use of space along with good design.

Repeat customers for show flats include Cheung Kong (Holdings) Ltd., Henderson Land Development Company Ltd., Hysan and K.Wah International Holdings Ltd.

Retail and office clients include, but are not limited to, Hang Seng Bank, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, JCDecaux, Escada, Polo Ralph Lauren Sourcing Pte Ltd., Max Mara, Emporio Armani, SaSa, Toys’R’Us, The Body Shop, Starbucks, Fortress, 3M, adidas, AIG, DKNY, Carlsberg, Wellcome and ParknShop. This list shows the range and scope of the projects that Krishom undertakes and completes satisfactorily.

By 2006, Chan decided to expand the company by adding another subsidiary, Kadriden Architecture, which is dedicated to the luxury residential arena. The residential projects range from luxury developments such as High Cliff, May Road, Manhattan Hill, Villa Bel Air on the Peak to Regalia Bay, among others. 

Chan said, “Quality in every field and aspect of the whole process, from implementation to completion, is the key to our success. Our clients feel that with our high integrity and years of professionalism, they can depend on us, even when it comes to choosing the style, colour and texture in materials that will perfectly match the design, from bed sheets to wallpaper.

“Since we have a factory in China, we have also been asked to make the furniture and fixtures as well as bathroom and kitchen fittings”, he added. “We pay the same amount of attention to the factory production in China as we do to our Hong Kong clients’ jobs”. 

Chan feels comfortable about the future. As people wish to move up in their societies, they want a more gracious lifestyle and are willing to hire firms with good reputations. He sees more luxury residential properties coming on line, and more prestigious commercial clients wishing to upgrade industrial or business properties.

In conclusion, he adds, “In order to maintain our current position in both the commercial and residential fields in the interior design industry, we need to continue performing to the highest level of quality in design and building. This is the secret of our success. Our ‘design and build’ concept has proven highly successful so far”.

By being innovative and not restricting itself to design only, Kadridin’s concept of ‘design and build’ has transformed perception into reality. Its emphasis on a whole range of capabilities and a reliable system that demands attention to detail, dedication and careful project control has placed Krishm and Kadriden in an enviable position in a very competitive field.