In celebration of the launch of Franca’s collection exclusively created for our Studio Zung Home Accents Collection, we asked Franca a series of questions to dive deep into her approach to ceramics.

Studio Zung and Hugues de Blignières have been collaborating successfully since 2017 on various luxury residential projects across the United States. Their shared passion for innovative design, attention to detail, and commitment to creating tranquil spaces with a timeless appeal has forged a strong partnership over the years. Now, this collaboration is taking a significant step forward as they join forces to bring Studio Zung's design expertise to Europe.

At Studio Zung, we believe that every object should tell a story. Our latest creation, the Jardin de la Forêt scented candle, embodies the essence of our design philosophy, reflecting our meticulous attention to detail and commitment to craftsmanship. From its thoughtfully designed packaging to the captivating scent, every aspect of this candle is a result of a collaborative journey that took us from New York to the enchanting region of Cannes, France.

To create Maison Ferndale, Studio Zung collaborated with Dinesen, a family-owned Danish company that has been producing high-quality wooden flooring for over a century. Our paths crossed many years ago when Tommy discovered Dinesen on his yearly trip to Copenhagen, prior to them having any established headquarters. Deeply moved by their consideration of the tree and the forest and finding common ground with their holistic approach ingrained in their practice, we saw the need to introduce our own clients and projects in the US to this Danish lineage, bridging the gap between European and American living styles.

Mono-ha, which means "School of Things," was a Japanese art movement that emerged in the late 1960s and lasted until the mid-1970s. This movement marked a significant departure from traditional Japanese art forms and had a profound impact on the international art world. Three of the most prominent artists of the Mono-ha movement whose works are fundamental to the history of modern art, meditated, refined, and infinitely thought-provoking are Koji Enokura, Lee Ufan, and Nobuo Sekine.

To bring warmth and softness to our space on 41 Grand Street, the age old method of venetian plaster adorns our four walls. Venetian plaster is referred to as a putty made from fired limestone combined with water without any aggregates of marble, granite, or glass. This timeless material has been used repetitively in the history of architecture; its long legacy spans from ancient Greece, to Egypt and beyond. Venetian plaster is simply put, earth on your walls.

In celebration of “An Homage to Four Friends” on view in New York City, we welcomed the Nakashima Woodworkers Family to our studio for one special night during NYCxDESIGN’s 10th anniversary design week.

Moderated by our Principal, Tommy Zung, we took this opportunity to bring together our city’s design community around a panel with Mira Nakashima, Vaishu Ilankamban, and Thomas TK Zung. We opened our studio as they dived into the stories behind the ‘Homage’ discussing topics of friendship, craftsmanship, and timelessness of influence.

The one-of-a-kind piece is a harmonious symphony between four great minds of the 20th century. Conceived by Thomas TK Zung, president of Buckminster Fuller, Sadao and Zung Architects, each element is an artwork in its own right and the four pieces come together in an homage that honors friendship, craftsmanship, and timelessness of influence.

Built in 1948 and located in the Miguel Hidalgo district of Mexico City, Casa Luis Barragán was the abode for the lauded architect, Luis Barragán, the father of Mexican Modernism, until his death in 1988. Praised in the Pritzker Prize laudatio, his home merges traditional and vernacular elements of architecture into a “sublime act of poetic imagination.” Barragán creates an impeccable synergy between the old and new, embracing new principles of Modernism while remaining deeply rooted in the Mexican tradition.

A retreat nestled in the heart of Tribeca, exquisite pieces add a sophisticated but yet approachable charm to the living spaces. Harmony between the old and new is emphasized through restored details such as dentil moldings and a Chevron patterned red oak floor that compliment the sleek dk3 table by Jeppe Utzon and handmade Linea Akademia chairs by Nikari, creating a simple but multifunctional place to gather for dinner or work.