Commercial SERIES • Project FEATURE
A Dialogue of Textures – Simon Hamui Space by Simon Hamui Studio
Framed by the Colorado mountains, the Simon Hamui Space is an ode to the quiet beauty of well-executed design.
Aspen welcomes the Simon Hamui Space as a design enclave that transcends function to become a sensorial experience. The showroom doesn’t merely display furniture and interior pieces—it offers a vision where aesthetics and technique intertwine with mastery. With this opening, Simon Hamui Studio not only expands its geographical reach but reaffirms its commitment to artisanal excellence and honest materiality. The interior architecture converses with the surrounding landscape, creating an atmosphere filled with calm, texture, and emotional depth. The space has been conceived as a three-dimensional canvas that expresses the studio's identity through refined forms, a neutral palette, and textures in dialogue with the natural environment. Every corner of the showroom has been carefully curated to highlight both the functionality and sculptural nature of the displayed objects. Beyond its commercial function, the Simon Hamui Space serves as a physical manifesto of the studio's values: precision, authenticity, and respect for materials.
"Authentic design reveals itself in details that whisper. At the Simon Hamui Space, each piece expresses craftsmanship and restrained elegance"
The entrance already sets the tone for this narrative. A glass door with a sculptural handle in stone and metal—designed by the studio—introduces what unfolds inside. Just beyond, an imposing wall of textured white poplar wood creates an immediate connection with the mountainous surroundings, infusing the space with warmth and natural presence. One of the first elements to catch the eye is the Eclipse Coffee Table, made from grey Angola stone with a linen finish. In front of it, the Ruth Lounge Chairs—born from a collaboration between artist Edgar Orlaineta and Simon Hamui—are presented with wooden frames and loose cowhide cushions, exuding a relaxed sophistication. At the back, the Bia’ Screen, designed with OMET, visually anchors this first setting, offering a sense of separation without interrupting the spatial flow.
The floor is covered with a two-tone rug—dark grey and taupe, with a coconut fiber texture—that provides visual grounding. Above, the poplar wood ceiling is fitted with felt panels to enhance acoustics, while the overall neutral palette generates a feeling of calm and cohesion. A highly symbolic piece is the carved wooden triptych by César Núñez, guiding the gaze toward one of the most iconic items in the showroom: The Bartok. This bar cabinet, a founding piece of the SH Collection, distills the essence of the studio: refined, functional, and deeply rooted in artistic sensibility. Continuing the path, the dining area features the Amena Dining Table, crafted from Cielo Quartzite with a metal base, surrounded by Capitol Complex Chairs from Cassina. Above, the sculpture “Globes” by artist Xawery Wolski introduces a suspended poetic gesture, its lightness counterbalancing the tactile density of the materials. To the side, the Lungo bookcase houses publications on Mexican architecture, flanked by Umbra Side Tables finished in gold and silver leaf that add a discreet touch of opulence.
"Architecture connects cultures when tradition and contemporary design converge to create spaces that are both lived and admired."
Adjacent to this area, the Armatus Dining Console—a combination of Cristallo Quartzite and wood—is accompanied by two paintings by Valeria Vázquez, creating a dialogue between visual art and functional design. Further on, the Comunal Bar, also made from Cristallo with a metal base, is paired with custom stools designed by the studio, blending structural robustness with quiet formal elegance.
The tour ends near the entrance with an intimate, meaningful display: a ceramic dress sculpture by Xawery Wolski sits above a vintage collectible chair from Simon Hamui’s personal archive. This juxtaposition of art, private collection, and current design underscores the studio’s philosophy: the past and present coexist and enrich each other when design is approached with sensitivity and rigor.
Altogether, the Simon Hamui Space in Aspen is much more than a showroom—it is a declaration of principles. It is the embodiment of a design practice that values both process and result, that honors traditional crafts without sacrificing formal innovation, and that finds its greatest expressive strength in the beauty of materials. The architecture as a bridge between cultures, where traditional craft and contemporary design converge to create spaces that are as deeply felt as they are admired.
The opportunity to open a showroom in Aspen came through Studio Como, their close partners who represent the SH Collection in the Rocky Mountain region. Their showroom is located right next to theirs, even assisting in operating the space. This close relationship has inspired both to transform these neighboring showrooms into a point of convergence for design. The Simon Hamui Space achieves a delicate balance between neutrality and character, between functionality and poetry. Through its curated narrative, it invites visitors not only to observe the objects but to understand the intention behind them. Here, every texture tells a story; every form has a purpose. The essence of design lies in details that do not shout but whisper their authenticity. At the Simon Hamui Space, every element speaks with the voice of craftsmanship and restrained elegance.