Internationally acclaimed lighting designer Tino Kwan is regarded as one of the world’s most celebrated masters. His glazing work can be found in landscapes across the globe, from multifunctional nano-homes of Hong Kong, royal palaces of Eurasia, to the most luxurious hotels of the Pacific Coast. Over the past 40 years, he has accumulated numerous accolades, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from Hong Kong Interior Design Association (HKIDA) and the Ten Most Outstanding Designers Award from Hong Kong Communication Art Centre.
 
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Kwan studied at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, with a concentration in industrial design. Upon graduation in 1973, he worked at interior and furniture design offices, before pursuing a position as a lighting designer in US Spatial Light Environments Design Company. Kwan was then posted to a branch office in Greece, illuminating hotels for Greek shipping magnates. The country’s rich art and architectural history had made an impact on him, as he was inspired by the scale and simplicity of its archaeological sites.
 
London followed shortly after, for a role with Dale Keller & Associates, where he embraced the opportunity to learn more about European art, culture, and the lighting industry.  In 1979, Kwan founded TinoKwan Lighting Consultants in London, and later moved its headquarters to Hong Kong in 1981. Professionals, both within and beyond international design circles, herald Kwan’s pioneering legacy- which only continues to flourish.
 
Today, Kwan expands his practice and serves as an influential figure in his field, advising manufacturers about trends, product design, and lighting requirements. Kwan has taught at design institutes in Hong Kong and the Tsinghua University in Beijing since 2008, and he is keen to pass on his knowledge and create opportunities for young designers. Kwan is also actively involved in the Asia Pacific Hotels Design Association, as its Vice President from 2010 to 2016, and current President since 2016.

Tino Kwan Lighting Consultants (TKLC) was established in London in 1979, and moved its headquarters to Hong Kong in 1981. Since then, TKLC has become one of the world’s largest lighting design firms with over 60 employees and three offices across Hong Kong, Beijing, and Tokyo. The company celebrated its 40th Anniversary in 2019.
 
“Minimum lighting equipment to achieve maximum lighting effect” is the design philosophy of TKLC. Their expertise ranges across interior and exterior architectural lighting, with specialties including (but not limited to) luxury hotels, casinos, and clubhouses; restaurants and bars; mixed-use complexes; commercial buildings and offices; retail shops; residential development; private residents; and landscapes.
 
Innovation and energy conservation are held close to the firm’s core values, manifesting in emotionally evocative solutions that illuminate the difference between good and exceptional lighting. Over the years, TKLC has been celebrated globally—including awards from the International Association of Lighting Designers and the Illuminating Engineering Society—with further appraisal by architects and interior designers alike.
 
After all, as said by Tino Kwan, a successful project begins with light and ends with light.