New Design Book Launch

Samuel Chan: Design Purity and Craft Principles

London-based award-winning designer Samuel Chan is celebrating 20 years of establishing his studio-showroom, Channels, by launching a publication that explores his creative and entrepreneurial endeavors.

Front cover of book Samuel Chan: Design Purity and Craft Principles, authored by Charlotte and Peter Fiell, and published by Laurence King.For details to purchase, click here.

Samuel Chan with one of his new ‘Mr Knock’ Bookcase I showcased at designjunction2016 as part of London Design Festival, 22-25 September.  Photo © Lucia Carpio.

The new book tells the story of Samuel Chan and his singular approach to design and manufacture, from first discovering his love of woodwork as a schoolboy new to England, to opening Channels  in 1995, and going on to be awarded 12 Design Guild Marks over the course of his career so far.

‘Mr Knock’ is a series of two new bookcase designs,
named after Chan’s woodwork teacher at school.
Both bookcases are modular systems that can be
configured to suit differing storage requirements.
They are shown in oak and walnut,
and can be ordered in bespoke sizes and finishes.

Born in Hong Kong and educated in
Britain, he draws on his heritage to produce work that is imbued with a unique synthesis of
Eastern aesthetics and Western design ideals, and is today known for creating furniture that combines contemporary design with exquisite wood craftsmanship.

The book’s authors, design historians Charlotte and Peter Fiell, have followed Chan’s work since he was an undergraduate.

They write, “Embodying a philosophy of design purity and craft principles, Chan’s work displays exceptional formal and functional integrity, and can be held up as exemplary of best practice in clean, contemporary design.”

A  double-seating "Gillespie" rocking chair
next to a "Mr. Knock" bookcase.

To coincide with the book launch, Chan's studio Channels unveiled a brand new furniture collection which included two bookcase designs called "Mr. Knocks" which are built on a modular fixing system for flexible stacking options.

In addition, Channels is launching new editions of the ‘Gillespie’ rocking chair in a colourful range of new Kvadrat wool fabrics. ‘Gillespie’ is available as a distinctive double rocking chair, or as a single seater, in solid oak or walnut frames.

The new furniture were showcased at the recently concluded designjunction2016 in 22-25 September 2016.

Accoroding to Professor Jeremy Myerson, Helen Hamlyn Chair of Design, Royal College of Art, London:  "Complex craftsmanship is a challenge Samuel loves to explore. His creations clearly follow his life: with one foot in Europe and one foot in Asia. The elegant mix of different cultures makes Samuel’s work desirable and timeless for culturally engaged clients worldwide.”

Chan was born in Hong Kong and moved with his family to London in his early teens.
Educated in Britain, Chan spent seven years training to be a furniture designer – in London, Middlesex and Buckinghamshire Universities. After completing his Masters degree, he worked initially in hotel design.

All photos © Lucia Carpio.