Zchron Design reveals the three keys to its success

With a passion for perfection, Zchron Designs is all about bringing a beautiful vision of the perfect home or commercial space to life.
It is traditionally accepted that the work of an interior designer is to, as its title suggests, offer beautiful designs for homes and commercial spaces. While this remains true for most interior design firms in Hong Kong, one firm dares to be different, stepping not only outside of the box, but also beyond the realm of its role to ensure the each project it designs is completed to the satisfaction of its customers.

For the seventh year, Zchron Design is awarded the accolade in interior design. Anyone who has had a chance to understand the model of operation at the firm will find this unsurprising. For years, the firm has been working relentlessly to change the cultural practice and behaviours of the industry, from drafting a design right down to how contractors execute the renderings.

Raising the standard
Founder of Zchron, Nison Chan, is the driving force behind what is described an initiative to lead ‘self-regulation’ within the industry. As Project Manager at Zchron Jan Wong, shares Chan’s vision and his hopes of lifting the standards of the industry.

“There are three keys to running a successful interior design firm,” says Wong. “It’s about balancing the design aspect and the business aspect. But also important is to work closely with contractors to ensure our projects are built the way we envisioned.”

In order to do this, Chan and the Zchron team offer incentives for contractors who are able to deliver top-notch craftsmanship. “A lot of times,” Wong explains, “it is very difficult for designers and contractors to understand each other’s needs. We are willing to pay them more if it means they are willing to put in the effort and time to build our projects to perfection."

Design in build services
It is because of this difficulty in finding the right contractor to execute a project that many designers choose not to get involved in the build process. “We are one of the only firms in Hong Kong that provides both design and build service. Many designers are not keen on doing this because controlling a contractor and his team is a very challenging task. But we are not afraid to take on this added responsibility because we feel this will allow us to fully control the quality and to ensure the design’s final form is as perfect as our clients imagined,” says Wong.

Going forward, the firm will continue its focus on luxury properties and commercial projects. However, there is plan for expansions, specifically in China. To do so, Zchron will be publishing a book of its top designs, which, in 2015 will be sold in Hong Kong and China.

“This will allow us to reach a wider audience, letting more luxury home owners know what we are capable of doing in terms of both design and build,” says Wong.

As for where the firm anticipates to be positioned in the future? Wong has this to say. “In five years, we hope to be the number one build and design firm in Hong Kong. We believe we are one of the view interior design companies with the potential to reach this level of success in the region.”