Emotion and Space

Tanuj Goenka, director at Kerry Hill Architects, talks about his journey into the profession, his ex-mentor Kerry Hill, and the wonderful worlds he has designed for Aman

- Luo Jingmei

Tanuj Goenka often reflects that it was architecture that chose him, rather than the other way around. Coming from a family of scientists and engineers, he initially thought his career path was predetermined.

However, a teacher's encouragement to explore architecture became a pivotal moment in his life. "I took the entrance exams and from there, I never looked back," shares the director at KHA (Kerry Hill Architects). "It's been over 30 years now, and I still love every bit of it." It was a good thing that Goenka broke with family tradition. The Singapore-based architect has created many outstanding works throughout the 25 years he worked with the Kerry Hill, who passed away in 2018. The late architect was famous for his sensitive buildings, especially those for ultra-luxe, award-winning hotel brand Aman.

Some of these include Aman Tokyo, revered for its horizon views of the metropolis, the spiritual Aman Kyoto and Amanyangyun near Shanghai, which involved the preservation and relocation of 10,000 camphor trees and 50 antique buildings from Jiangzi province to avoid destruction in making way for a new reservoir.

LESSONS IN PATIENCE

Goenka's work for Aman has taken him to far-flung places, introducing him to diverse cultures and environments. One such place was Bhutan, for Amankora. "Aman was one of the first international brands to be allowed to build there, and I was involved from the very beginning, helping to select sites and get the project off the ground.