Feel more, design less: a conversation with Khai Foo

With a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Khai Foo started working as an artist in Vancouver where local galleries exhibited his work. However, he soon realised that being an artist was not his final destination.

Being creative and practical, he followed his life motto ‘Nothing happens if you don’t do anything’ and explored different avenues. He started business ventures that revolved around his design philosophy ‘feel more, design less’, creating home products, primarily in cast concrete, but also in various metals.

Following nearly 15 years of running a business that worked exclusively in hand-cast concrete, he saw an opportunity to start fresh. He was also intrigued by combining modern design and fire — a tantalising fusion. And so Paloform was born.

The business is based on the desire to create well-designed products that transform and inspire the spaces we inhabit, and the idea that fire has an undeniable attraction for human beings; it draws us towards it and connects us. Fire is mesmerizing, calming and warming.

“Our hand-crafted outdoor fire pits use concrete, corten, stainless steel and aluminium and are the result of over 20 years of experimentation, refinement and a lot of heavy lifting,” says Khai who believes that good design subtly and continuously informs our well-being.

Asked for his recipe for success, Khai explains that the combination of hard work and innovation leads to something greater than the sum of its parts. When the wheels of industry come into alignment, something magical can happen – and a kind of alchemy results.

Paloform’s vision has always been to create well-designed products that enhance and improve the way people enjoy spaces. Design affects our everyday lives and, therefore, Paloform’s focus is on how good design can positively affect our behaviours and our emotional states.

“There is something special about handmade things. During the process of creating, there has been a dialogue between the object and the maker: a continuous series of aesthetic judgements and responses to a piece that evolves until it is deemed to be finished.”

Paloform’s goal is to add beauty to people’s designed spaces while encouraging them to enjoy the outdoors and the company of others, no matter the season.

His biggest achievement in life was the start of his business, creating something from nothing and the experience that Paloform touches people’s hearts and lives.

These days, the Canadian-based company works mainly with architects, landscape and interior designers for commercial spaces around the world. However, Paloform’s artistic fire pits have also found their place in residential projects and are certified for the Australian market.

More from Paloform on ArchiPro.