Matthew Shang
Creative Director
Matthew Shang is the founding creative director of Distillery.
Matthew is an Australian interior designer with over 10 years experience working with prestigious interior design firms in Singapore, London and Australia.
Matthew worked with founding partner Wong Mun Summ to establish the interior design department for WOHA, Singapore. During his time at WOHA he was involved in residential, hospitality and theatre projects.
Prior to this, Matthew worked with James Park Associates in Singapore and London. Such projects included the initial first class redevelopment of Singapore Airlines cabin, touring and commercial train refurbishment and the refurbishment and restoration of the historic Lake Palace Hotel in Udaipur, Rajasthan for Taj Hotels.
In Australia, Matthew worked with boutique design firm Collins Vergnard. During this time he worked on chic projects such as the commercial fit out for advertising company Publics Communications and the refurbishment of public spaces for W Hotel, Sydney.
Matthew has also studied production design and art direction at the prestigious Australian Film, Television and Radio School. Following which he has gained experience working on commercials, television mini-series and the feature film, The Quiet American.
Matthew provides the creative inspiration and direction for Distillery. He believes that each project is an independent creative journey formed by context, personal intuition, experience and culture.
matthewshang@distillerystudio.net
Paul Semple
Director
Paul Semple in an interior designer with extensive experience working in Australia and Asia.
Paul has developed his design talents, business and project management skills working for companies as diverse as boutique design firms to one of the world’s largest shopping centre developers.
During his time in Singapore, Paul has worked with Kerry Hill Architects. This experience included working on some of the world’s most prestigious hotel and resort projects owned by the Aman Group and GHM. Such projects include the Amansara project in Cambodia, the future Chedi in Taiwan and the newly opened city Aman in India.
Paul also worked with Westfield Corporation in Australia. This included working on a variety of centres in Australia, of particular note the new ‘Black Label’ division in the redevelopment of Westfield Bondi Junction, Sydney.
Paul has also worked with maverick Sydney architect Misho and large Australian firm Woods Bagot.
Paul has a hands on approach, being comfortable with working on construction sites and becoming actively involved in all aspects of site management, delivery and quality control.
Paul’s practical construction experience, excellent project management skills and extensive design talent compliments the creative skills of Matthew Shang to form Distillery’s management team.