#107 - Designing Life with Paul Tan & Devy Anggreany on Architecture & Why Human Connection Matters

PAUL TAN & DEVY ANGGREANY reveal how decades of architectural practice taught them that great design isn't about perfection—it's about creating spaces that respond to human needs, from Central Park Jakarta to intimate hotel experiences, and why the five senses matter more than technology ever will.Paul Tan is the founder of ArkDesign Architects and a graduate of Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (1985), whose work has shaped Jakarta's skyline including Central Park, Rasuna Towers, and Gandaria City. Devy Anggreany is the principal architect at Indesign Domus, specializing in hospitality design from hotels to retail spaces, bringing international standards to Indonesian projects.They explain:◼️ How childhood curiosity—from climbing rooftops to sneaking into people's bathrooms—shaped their spatial understanding◼️ Why Paul's unconventional education (failing high school twice, getting expelled from boarding school) led to architectural innovation◼️ The critical difference between designing for Singapore vs Jakarta: why drop-off zones and motorcycle parking matter more than aesthetics◼️ What diving 10,000 meters underwater teaches about three-dimensional thinking in architecture◼️ How Indonesia's ojek online revolution forced them to redesign lobbies and create new spatial solutionsIn this conversation, Paul and Devy share stories spanning 40+ years of practice—from Paul's rejection from art school to Devy's Cornell hospitality certification. We discuss why architects can never retire, how to design "hospitable buildings" beyond hotels, and their honest take on preserving Indonesian warmth in an increasingly digital world.Whether you're a designer, developer, or simply curious about the spaces you inhabit daily, this episode offers rare insights from two architects who've learned that great design responds to life's challenges, not theoretical perfection.Follow Paul & Devy:Instagram (ArkDesign) - @arkdesign.architectsInstagram (Indesign Domus) - @indesigndomusWebsite - https://arkdesign-architects.com/ | https://indesigndomus.com/