Lianin Resort invites guests to experience Peranakan culture through a modern lens. Every detail focuses on heritage and hospitality, from the spice in the air to the delicate patterns woven into the décor. Behind this immersive design is Levi Lu, a rising talent in the design world and the newly crowned Emerging Interior Designer of the Year—Living Space at the LIV Hospitality Design Awards.
Levi’s path to interior design wasn’t exactly linear. Born in Taiwan and now based in Singapore, he started out in marketing and graphic design before a project restoring a historic site sparked his fascination with how spaces shape emotion. That spark grew into a passion for interior design—one that found its perfect expression at the ArtCenter College of Design, where Levi honed his ability to merge cultural storytelling with experiential design.
We caught up with Levi to talk about the creative process behind Lianin, the challenges of working with an existing site, and how winning the LIV Award is reshaping his creative future.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself? What led you to pursue interior design?
I’m originally from Taiwan and began my journey in design through marketing and graphic design. I’ve always believed that design is a powerful form of communication—one that expresses ideas and influences others.
A pivotal moment for me was working at a cultural creative company focused on revitalizing historical sites. I contributed to the Gen. Sun Li-Jen Residence project, helping with branding and researching ways to breathe new life into the space. That experience sparked my fascination with how color, texture, and lighting shape emotions, leading me to pursue interior design as my true passion.
What exactly inspired you to create Lianin, and what aspects of Peranakan culture influenced your vision the most?
Lianin was inspired by an unexpected experience at a Peranakan restaurant in Los Angeles. A conversation with the owner introduced me to the culture’s rich fusion of Chinese, Malay, and Western influences. The Peranakan pursuit of refined living, intricate patterns, and vibrant colors deeply resonated with me.
As I explored further, I found parallels between Peranakan traditions and my own cultural background. Their appreciation for craftsmanship and sensory experiences fascinated me, making me wonder how I could interpret and share this heritage through design. That curiosity became the foundation of Lianin.
Can you walk us through the design process behind Lianin, from concept to execution?
As I researched, I realized that Peranakan culture extends beyond aesthetics—it embodies a refined way of life. I wanted to create an immersive experience, and travel felt like the perfect medium to introduce this culture to a global audience.
This led me to design a resort on Sentosa Island, a destination suited for cultural exploration. I focused on a key sensory element—scent—as it plays a vital role in Peranakan traditions, from spice grinding to ancestral rituals. By weaving scent-driven experiences into the resort, I created a design that engages visitors on a deeper level.
How did you ensure that Lianin stayed true to Peranakan heritage while making it accessible to a global audience?
My approach was to translate cultural elements into interactive experiences rather than simply recreating historical aesthetics. Instead of displaying Peranakan artifacts, I incorporated hands-on elements like spice grinding to engage guests.
Material selection also played a key role—I integrated traditional Peranakan details like intricate metalwork or such but presented them in a way that felt modern and cohesive within a luxury resort. By blending tradition with experiential design, Lianin offers an authentic yet accessible introduction to Peranakan heritage.
Can you tell us about the biggest challenges you faced while designing Lianin? How did you overcome them?
One challenge was working with an existing site—a permanently closed hotel. I approached the project as an adaptive reuse, preserving much of the original structure while integrating my design vision, which initially felt limiting.
Another challenge was the colonial-style architecture, a remnant of Singapore’s past. I struggled with whether to highlight or downplay it, but eventually chose to embrace it as part of the site’s story. Rather than avoiding its history, I reinterpreted it in a way that celebrates Peranakan resilience, layering cultural influences to create a space that honors the past while looking toward the future.
Do you think being a student gave you more freedom or posed more obstacles?
Being a student gave me tremendous freedom. At ArtCenter, the Spatial Experience Design department encouraged me to think beyond traditional design approaches and focus on experience-driven storytelling.
Unlike professional settings with strict constraints, my academic environment allowed me to explore bold, unconventional ideas as long as they were supported by a strong concept. This creative freedom pushed me to experiment, take risks, and break out of conventional thinking.
Congratulations on winning the “Emerging Interior Designer of the Year” award at the LIV Awards! What does this recognition mean to you and your future?
Winning this award is an incredible honor and a meaningful milestone in my journey. It reinforces my passion for creating immersive spaces, particularly in hospitality design, which has always fascinated me.
Hospitality design offers a unique opportunity to craft experiences that engage all the senses and leave lasting impressions. This recognition motivates me to continue pushing the boundaries of storytelling, materiality, and cultural interpretation in my work. Moving forward, I hope to design spaces that not only captivate but also create meaningful connections between people and places.
What do you want your future to look like? Are you planning on continuing to pursue interior design?
Yes, I absolutely plan to continue pursuing interior design, particularly in hospitality and cultural storytelling. I want to design spaces that celebrate heritage, craftsmanship, and sensory engagement—whether through boutique hotels, experiential dining concepts, or resorts.
I also aim to collaborate across disciplines, exploring new materials, technologies, and sustainable approaches. Ultimately, I want my work to contribute to a more thoughtful, immersive approach to spatial design—one that leaves a lasting impact and redefines how people connect with spaces.
