Towan Kim

San Francisco -

Growing up in Seoul, Korea, Towan Kim saw the fields begin to transform into massive skyscrapers over time, which may have played a role in the development of his love for architecture and design. Now living in East Bay, Kim works on the BraytonHughes Design Studio team, creating luxurious interiors customized to clients every specification. While Kim finds himself living by philosophies from Tao Te Ching, it is no wonder why his outlook on what luxury means to him lies in both giving and receiving. “[Luxury is] amazing services done at the right tempo, it applies to both extending or receiving,” explains Kim.

Q&A:

Hometown?

Seoul, Korea.

Place you call home now (neighborhood etc)

East Bay.

Any notes on your education?

School of Architecture, Syracuse University.

Favorite sport to watch?

Soccer.

Favorite sport to play?

Soccer, basketball.

Dream trip destination. Why?

Want to see the bottom of the ocean.

Favorite dinner?

Hwedupbap, just Google it.

Favorite dessert?

Peach.

Dish you’re best at cooking?

Omelets.

Best meal you've had at a restaurant?

Grilled greek octopus.

Favorite movies?

Three Colors Trilogy (Kieślowski), Harold and Maude, La Fem Nikita (French 1990).

Favorite actress and or actor?

Sophie Marceau.

Favorite bands?

Miles Davis + Quintet, Pink Floyd, Massive Attack, Jane’s Addition.

Most impressive live performance you ever saw

1992 Lollapalooza #2.

Car you’d like to drive?

International 50’s, Pick-up Truck.

Wear a watch?

Every day.

Got a favorite watch?

Skagen.

Summer drink of choice?

Coffee + Lager.

Winter drink of choice?

Coffee + Bourbon.

Bourbon or scotch?

Bourbon.

Vodka or gin?

Vodka.

Cologne?

Hermes, Terre d’hermes parfum.

On a Saturday, your favorite errand to run is:

Veggie and fruit pickups at a local market.

Otherwise, you’ll be busy doing what?

Hiking/ Walks, nature or city.

Best work advice you ever got?

"Every problem is an opportunity for design".

Best thing about your career?

Stretching Imaginations, built or unbuilt.

Got a philosophy to live by?

I find myself remembering these readings…

Tao Te Ching writings… especially about opposites and paradoxes

“When people see some things as beautiful,

other things become ugly.

When people see some things as good,

other things become bad.

Being and non-being create each other.

Difficult and easy support each other.

Long and short define each other.

High and low depend on each other.

Before and after follow each other.

Therefore the Master

acts without doing anything

and teaches without saying anything.

Things arise and she lets them come;

things disappear and she lets them go.

She has but doesn't possess,

acts but doesn't expect.

When her work is done, she forgets it.

That is why it lasts forever.”

― Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

“Do you know why a knife have a sheath? Its real power lies not in the sharpness but in concealment.” - Japanese proverb.

“It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that ain’t so.” - Mark Twain.