Interview with Erwin Hawawinata, Founder of Hawawinata & Associates, Indonesia

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Erwin Hawawinata

Erwin believes that design is something that you can feel, enjoy, and use properly, bringing an everlasting value to the owner.



Interview with the 2021 MUSE Design Awards Winner - Erwin Hawawinata

1Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your design background.

I studied Architecture for my degree back in 1994 in Parahyangan Catholic University in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. This has brought me knowledge on how to design architecture on high rise buildings and residential. This is enhanced with my 10 years of experience working in one of the prestigious furniture company in Asia, where I learnt more on high end interior design.

2What made you become/why did you choose to become a designer/artist?

I love to see something in great proportion and well-designed. It makes me want to create something like that. With a deep thought, we can create something new in great proportion, well-taste in architecture and interior design.

3Tell us more about your business/company, job profile, and what you do.

I started back in 2008 to start my own design consultancy. Not long after that, Aji Warpani join me as my business partner. At first, we focused on residential architecture, and eventually grew into one whole holistic concept including the interior as well.

On the job scope, I am the head of design conceptualization, and Aji Warpani as the head of design development.

4What does “design” mean to you?

Design is something that you can feel, enjoy and use properly, and it also has an everlasting value to the owner.

5What’s your favorite kind of design and why?

Traditional design, because it has basic rules and roots on how you can design it properly. Of course you can play with it and develop the design, but still, it has its basic background which you can’t eliminate.

6To you, what makes a “good” design?

Designs that are beautiful, functional and everlasting.

7Describe your design style and its main characteristics.

We combine shapes, colours and style eclectically to create something new and fresh but still familiar to our clients.

8Tell us about your design process.

We always use hand sketches at the beginning to get the idea fast and representative, because you need to put your fresh idea fast and the fastest way is to draw it in sketches. After that, we will improve it with the details and technicality.

9Do you think your country and its cultural heritage has an impact on your design process?

Traditional design in Indonesia varies and indeed very rich in details. We do apply some traditional details in our works and make it perfect later in shapes and technically.

10Congratulations! As the winner of the 2021 MUSE Design Awards, what does it mean to you and your company and team to receive this award distinction?

One of the highest achievements for us is to be acknowledged by MUSE, because we made this project from scratch and got appreciation not only from our clients, but from a reputable institution as well. We are really honored, and it established another milestone for us as one of Indonesia's luxury architecture and interior design firm in Indonesia and the world.

11Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2021 MUSE Design Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?

We chose The IBRIA house project, because it was a fun design process and a well received result that made us proud. Our creative thinking process really blended well with client’s need and enthusiasm. We really did work well as a team.

12What was the biggest challenge with this project?

None that I can recall, because the experience was so fun from the creative discussion, as ideas really flowed well. Yeah, we mostly remember all the excitement in building the house rather than the challenge itself.

13How has winning an Award developed your practice/career?

Winning made us more confident and established as one of luxury architecture and interior design conceptualization.

14What are your top three (3) favorite things about our industry?

Beauty, precision, and acknowledgement.

15What makes your country specifically, unique in the design industry?

Indonesia is so rich culturally and it does gives us influence in designing our project.

16Where do you see the evolution of design industry going over the next 5-10 years?

The design industry will be very mature and establish with the support of information technology and social media. This will also bring tighter competition but it will drives our creativity to the next level as well in the global industry.

17If you were a student entering this industry or an aspiring MUSE Design Awards submitter, what advice would you give them?

Focus on the details.

18What resources would you recommend to someone who wants to improve their skills in the design industry?

Travel a lot. This will open your eyes to a new culture and knowledge, and you can learn more on architectural details and proportion from various countries.

19Who has inspired you in your life and why?

So many people, from Frank Lloyd Wright to Iron Man.

20What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?

Dare to be different.



Winning Entries

IBRIA house | 2020

IBRIA house | MUSE Design Awards

IBRIA house is located at the corner / hook area, so this make the building façade looks more interesting with sufficient building...
(read more at MUSE Design Awards)


Hawawinata & Associates


Hawawinata & Associates specializes in creating intuitive design concepts for living and office spaces.

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