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 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.

    Venus is very enthusiastic to learn about new disciplines. Apart from work, Venus has co-founded Kindnival, a social innovation project which promotes inclusive climate education and employment for youths with mild MR. Venus is also active in international climate advocacy. She joined COP27 in Sharm El-Sheik as a Hong Kong Youth Delegate and focused on sustainable food systems and cities. Moreover, Venus is researching inclusive public space and migrant domestic workers’ appropriation of public spaces. She was a guest speaker and co-creator at Oil Street Art Space for creative dialogues, co-mapping and community tour workshops rethinking “how we shared the city” with a migrant domestic worker photographer.

    In her free time, Venus likes running, lifting weights, hiking, 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

  • Masters in Architecture (KTH University, Stockholm) 2021 - on approved leave

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

    Professional training in UX