IDr Lai Siew Hong is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Designer of award-winning interior design firm Blu Water. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur since 2010, the design studio focuses on hospitality archetypes and the design of hotels, resorts and F&B establishments around the region. As one of the most revered interior design studio in Southeast Asia, Blu Water has also been recognised by AHEAD Awards Asia and IDA Design Awards. To date, some of the group’s recent projects include The Millen Penang (Autograph Collection), Lone Pine Penang (A Tribute Portfolio Resort), W Kuala Lumpur, EQ Kuala Lumpur, Sheraton Kuching, The Edison George Town and KYO Niseko.
As the creative backbone of Blu Water, Lai believes in creating innovative spaces and solutions while crafting a meaningful narrative in each design brief. With these sensorial and experiential design components, Lai continues to encourage a forward way of thinking in his creative process to keep the interests of a wide variety of clients over the last 30 years — previously as the Creative Partner of Axis Identity Group, a multidisciplinary design studio in Kuala Lumpur specialising in hospitality design.
Lai graduated from the State University of New York/FIT with an Associate Degree in Applied Science Interior Design. His passion for nurturing young emerging talent translates into his deep involvement in mentorship and regional conferences over the years. Locally, he now serves as an Adjunct Lecturer and Master Coach for Interior Architecture and Design Programme at The One Academy. Internationally, he has also mentored graduate students at China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, China. In addition, he is the man behind the impeccably organized MIID Reka Conference over the years. He also serves as the Chief Judge for the Interior Design category of the AYDA Awards Malaysia 2025/26 and as a jury member for the Creative Colour Awards 2025.
Lai leads a team of 30 talented designers who believe in re-thinking the design process in live with the rapid evolving needs of the hospitality industry. They are immersed in the notion to curate bespoke design solutions tailored to every need, desire and budget. The design studio also aims to create creative solutions that drive responsible design with an overarching theme of sustainability, providing a positive human experience with human-centric sensibilities. In his own words, the amalgamation of critical thinking and the creative idea will create spaces that are ladened with meaning and soul, bringing a fresh perspective to the world of design.
One of his recent accolades, The Edison George Town project, has been recognised for its outstanding design sensibilities, raking multiple recognition including in the StarProperty Awards 2020, IDA Design Awards 2019, AHEAD Asia 2017, RIDA 2017, and APIDA 2016. Other award-winning projects under his stewardship are Lone Pine Penang, EQ Kuala Lumpur, citizenM Kuala Lumpur, and Hard Rock Hotel at Desaru Coast, Johor. Today, he continues to be the mastermind behind some of the most stunning luxury hotels and resorts in the country and the world over; most recently recognised as Asia’s Most Influential Designer Award by DOTY 2020 and Tatler Asia’s Most Influential MY 2021.
Lai is also the Past President of the Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers (MIID) 2022-2024, which is the national institute representing interior design professionals in Malaysia, and a Board Member of Asia-Pacific Space Designers Association (APSDA) 2023-2025 and Chairman of APSDA Awards 2025.