Q4 2026
By Li Maomao | Office Director, The Five Studios
Some events stay with us because of the ideas they introduce. Others stay with us because of the people who make us feel at home. This event gave us both.
At the Chongqing Designers Carnival and CIID Chongqing “Golden Top Ten” launch event, Mr. Hatem Khemmar delivered a talk titled “Designing Experiences, Building Connections.” He spoke with designers and guests about how design can shape the way people experience places, stories and ideas.
One moment from the conversation stayed with us. Mr. Hatem spoke about hostile design and how choices in the built environment can discourage certain uses of a space, such as sitting, resting or gathering. Someone in the audience said they had never heard of hostile design before. Their comment opened the door to a new conversation.
Mr. Hatem promised to answer the question visually, through Fennex, our mascot. We hope to share that response soon as a short comic or another visual story—a way to continue the conversation beyond the stage and make the idea easier to see and discuss.
The warmth of the Chongqing visit extended beyond the event. We would like to thank Mr. Hu for inviting us and welcoming us so generously. His mother had prepared beautiful dishes for us, and sharing that meal made the visit feel less like a professional engagement and more like being welcomed into a family.
Mr. Hatem said that he felt he had found a real family in Chongqing. That feeling captures what made this visit special: the people we met, the ideas we exchanged and the kindness with which we were received.
We are grateful to Mr. Hu, his mother, Nobel Tiles, CIID Chongqing, and everyone we had the pleasure of meeting. Thank you for the conversations, the hospitality and the memories we brought home.
We hope to return to Chongqing, see our new friends again, and continue sharing ideas through design. And to the audience member who asked about hostile design: Fennex will have an answer for you soon. Please stay in touch.
With appreciation,
Li Maomao
Office Director
The Five Studios | 哈特国际设计有限公司
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