About

  • Savan Studio is a multi-disciplinary, independently owned design studio dedicated to cross-generational co-creative and design research practices. Founded by Venus Cheung (she/her), the studio has been responsible for a wide range of participatory design and urban research projects throughout Asia, North America and Europe.

    Her design practice is rooted in her early career with The UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Lao PDR, which constantly reminds her the purpose of urban development to create hope and happiness to individuals, families and communities. Therefore, “Savan” ສະຫວັນ (sa wan) which bears the meaning of "heaven", is dedicated to the name of this studio.

    Heaven : /ˈhɛvən/

    A state of great happiness.
    Webster's New World

  • Venus is a Master of Planning (MPI) in Urban Development Candidate, an architectural designer, urban researcher, social entrepreneur and expert in design research for social inclusion and participation. She has extensive experience collaborating with non-profits, government agencies, social enterprises, and schools and enabling them to engage users in the design process.

    Currently, she is serving as a research assistant under the guidance of Prof. Zhixi Zhuang for SSHRC grant application developement that aims to explore multi-dimensions of global mobility across life courses and international and transnational scales, while decentering predominated narratives around migration studies. She is also working with Prof. Samantha Biglieri at The Health, Access + Planning (HAP) Lab at TMU, contributing to the "Care + Dementia in Suburbs" project, which delves into the realms of diversity, inclusive planning, and well-being. Her commitment to community-based research extends far beyond the lab. As a Development Coordinator at Urban Minds, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to fostering youth engagement in the city-building process and educating youth on urban planning and architecture, she actively contribute to initiatives that enable civic participation in urban planning. Additionally, she serve as a Local Facilitator for the “Chinatown Tomorrow.

    In her free time, Venus likes running, cycling, and going on city walks to appreciate the juxtaposition of old and new urbanscapes. At home she can be found testing new vegan recipes, drawing, meditating or learning languages.

  • 3+ years international experience implementing community engagement strategies developed with 6 non-hierarchical and cross-disciplinary teams to promote social inclusion and meaningful participation in the design process for 50+ nonprofits and government agencies at private design consultancy firms, university, international NGO and social enterprises.

    1 year experience as a social entrepreneur researching, designing and prototyping MR-friendly environmental education tools to engage 10+ youths with mild intellectual disabilities and their care-takers for usability testing

    8+ years combined volunteer and work experience coordinating community outreach between volunteers, community partners and donors such as UN-Habitat, Engineers without Borders, consulates, youth centres and design institutes; and, organising environmental campaigns, global service trips, and personal empowerment activities for young leaders

  • Master of Planning (MPI) in Urban Development, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), 2024-26

    Masters in Architecture (KTH University, Stockholm) 2021 (discontinued)

    Bachelor’s degree in Architecture (The Chinese University of Hong Kong) 2015 - 2019