Fernando Wong Explained

Fernando Wong
Birth Place:Panama City, Panama
Education:University of Panama
Occupation:Landscape Designer
Spouse:Timothy C. Johnson (m. 2019)
Parents:Fernando Wong and Florinda Castillo-De Wong

Fernando Wong is a Panamanian landscape designer born in Panama City. He moved to the United States in 2001 and established his landscape architecture firm, Fernando Wong Outdoor Living Design, Inc. in Miami Beach, Florida in 2005. Since then he has opened additional offices in Palm Beach, Florida and Southampton, New York. Wong designs large private gardens, public parks, museums and hotels (including three Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts), and has won several design awards. His television show Clipped with Martha Stewart debuted on the Discovery+ and HGTV channels on March 12, 2021. Wong has been called "one of the most important landscape designers in America" by Architectural Digest.[1]

Early life

Fernando Wong grew up in Panama City, Panama. He is the grandson of a Chinese immigrant. He trained in architecture, and graduated with a degree in interior design from the University of Panama.[2] Wong's father encouraged him to be an athlete, so he competed as a swimmer and pentathlete from the ages of 19 to 24.[3] Wong learned to speak English by watching American television shows.[4] [5] When he first moved to the United States he earned a living by doing renderings for interior designers [6] and working on a landscape crew.[7] [8] The owner of the landscape company saw Wong's drawings, took him off the crew, and sent him to the office to work on designs.[3] [9]

Career

Wong established his company Fernando Wong Outdoor Living Design, Inc with his partner Tim Johnson in 2005.[3] [10] When his roster of clients grew in Palm Beach,[11] [12] North Palm Beach, Florida and in Jupiter, Florida, Wong opened up a second office in Palm Beach,[13] where his work has included creating landscaping for contemporary as well as historic homes.[14] [15] In 2017 the company opened a third office in Southampton, New York.[2]

Wong's designs include a 15,000-square-foot sculpture garden at the Institute of Contemporary Art (Miami),[16] [17] [18] 3 Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in South Florida,[9] the Four Seasons Private Residences in Fort Lauderdale,[19] [20] a Starwood Luxury Collection Hotel called the Perry Lane in Savannah, Georgia,[21] and a National Park in Nassau, Bahamas for the Bahamian government.[6]

Wong designed the landscape and outdoor space at The Surf Club at the Four Seasons (Miami Beach)[9] with Pritzker Architecture Prize winning architect Richard Meier.[22] Wong also worked in collaboration with Paris-based architect/interior designer Joseph Dirand,[6] Miami architect Kobi Karp and New York interior designer Lee Mindell. He went on to design the outdoor spaces for the Four Seasons Private Residences in Fort Lauderdale with London-based interior designers Martin Brudnizki and Tara Bernard.[2]

In 2019 Wong was the honorary co-chair of the Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show, along with award-winning interior designer Amanda Lindroth.[23]

Because Wong was trained in architecture, he uses classical architectural principles in his garden designs, like scale, balance, harmony and symmetry.[24] [25] [26] His designs are also influenced by his studies in interior design [27] and strategic use of lighting.[28] [29] [30] Wong has also branched out into indoor design ideas.[31]

Publicity

In 2020 Discovery, Inc. announced that Wong would be part of the launch of its new subscription cable channel Discovery+ by starring with Martha Stewart and Chris Lambton in a show called Clipped.[32] [33] The show premiered on Discovery+ and HGTV on May 12, 2021.[34]

In 2021 Wong was named to the Luxe Interior + Design magazine's Gold List.[35] In February of that same year, he was chosen as one of the designers for the prestigious decorator show house, Kips Bay Palm Beach.[36] [37]

Awards

Year Award Awarded by Category
2011The DCOTA Stars of Design AwardThe Design Center of the Americas[38] Landscape Design
2018The Lesly S Smith Award[39] Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach[40] [41] Landscape Design
2018Addison Mizner Landscape AwardThe Institute of Classical Architecture and Art[42] Landscape Architecture
2018Luxe.Red Award for Residential Excellence in DesignLuxe.Red[43] Landscape Design
2019Luxe-Red Award for Residential Excellence in DesignLuxe.Red[44] Landscape Design
2020Luxe.Red Award for Residential Excellence in DesignLuxe.Red[45] Landscape Design
2021Addison Mizner Landscape AwardThe Institute of Classical Architecture & Art [46] Commercial Landscape Architecture
2021Palladio AwardTraditional Building[47] [48] International Excellence in Classical Design
2021Luxe.Red Award for Residential Excellence in DesignLuxe.RedLandscape Design
2023Addison Mizner AwardFlorida Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art [49] Landscape Architecture Award

Other

Fernando Wong is a member of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art.[50] In 2019 Wong was appointed to the Palm Beach Landmarks Preservation Commission by the Palm Beach Town Council.[51] [52] He resigned from the board in 2024.[53]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Cornelius. Donna. Landscape Legend: Fernando Wong Is One of This Year's Design Stars at Antiques at The Gardens. Over The Mountain Journal. 22 September 2021.
  2. Web site: Hemlock. Doreen. Q&A with landscape designer Fernando Wong: living the American dream. 19 December 2016. TheRealDeal South Florida Real Estate News.
  3. Web site: Benn. Evan. Miami landscape-design star Fernando Wong gives luxury properties lush surroundings. 9 January 2019. Miami Herald.
  4. Web site: Nesmith. Susannah. Express Yourself. August 2017. Indulge Magazine.
  5. Web site: A Top Garden Design Expert Shares His Tips. HGTV. 24 July 2021.
  6. Web site: Weiss. Allie. 10 Questions with...Fernando Wong. 8 February 2017. Interior Design.
  7. Web site: Meet Fernando Wong of Fernando Wong Outdoor Living Design. 16 November 2017. VoyageMIA.
  8. Web site: Derringer. Jaime. Make your garden modern: landscape design tips from Fernando Wong. 2 February 2017. Design Milk.
  9. Web site: Keller. Hadley. Fernando Wong talks plans for Surf Club Miami and more. 14 February 2017. Architectural Digest.
  10. Web site: Williams. Terri. 3 common mistakes people make when designing an outdoor space, according to Fernando Wong of Discovery+'s "Clipped". realhomes.com. 6 June 2021.
  11. Web site: 36 Porch ideas that epitomize summer bliss. 16 April 2020. Hadley Mendelsohn for House Beautiful.
  12. Hodes. Robin. July 2021. Serenity Garden. Boca Magazine. Boca Raton.
  13. Web site: Landscape designer brings distinct style to the island. 26 January 2014. Palm Beach Daily News.
  14. Web site: Palm Beach homes:$71.85M sale sets new lakefront record;house is at 8 S Lake Trail. 29 June 2020. Palm Beach Daily News.
  15. Web site: Donnelly. Shannon. In this town it's all about the green, be it money, of the preferred hue of an emerald or landscaping. Palm Beach Daily News. 31 January 2021.
  16. Web site: Menking. William. New ICA Miami opens a welcoming public space in the Design District. The Architect's Newspaper. 7 December 2017.
  17. Web site: Fazzare. Elizabeth. Meet the Architects Behind Miami's Newest Art Space. Architectural Digest. 24 November 2017.
  18. Web site: Vogel. Wendy. ICA Miami opens in the design district. Cultured Mag. 27 November 2017.
  19. Web site: Mastrandrea. Paige. WATCH:The Art of Indoor-Outdoor Living & Entertaining with Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale Private Residences. 15 July 2020. hauteresidence.com.
  20. Web site: Reigler. Paul. Four Seasons to Open 5 New Hotels in 2021. Frequent Business Traveler. 4 December 2020.
  21. Web site: Mantica. Ana. Hedge fun: a chat with the Four Seasons' landscaping genius. 21 April 2017. Forbes Travel Guide.
  22. Book: Four Seasons Hotel and Residences. The Surf Club. Assouline. New York, NY. 2014. 978-1-6142-8302-7.
  23. Web site: Logan. Liz. Landscape designer Fernando Wong lands in Chicago to share tips for creating lush landscapes. 5 April 2019. Modern Luxury.
  24. Book: Staub . Jack . Jack Staub . Cardillo . Rob . Rob Cardillo . Private Gardens of South Florida . Gibbs Smith . Layton, Utah . 1st pub. 2016 . 978-1-4236-3810-0. 2016 .
  25. Web site: Burch. Tory. Landscape Designer Fernando Wong On Summer Garden Tips. 18 June 2018. Tory Daily.
  26. Book: Dellatore . Carl . Garden Design Master Class, 100 Lessons From the World's Finest Designers on the Art of the Garden . Rizzoli International Publications Inc. . New York, New York . 1st pub. 2020 . 978-0-8478-6666-3. 2020 .
  27. Web site: Finder Weepie. Sally. Design Tips for Outdoor Entertaining. 5 November 2019. Traditional Home.
  28. Web site: Wicks. Lauren. These Are the top 10 Predictions for 2021 Outdoor Living Trends, According to Design Experts. Veranda. 11 December 2020.
  29. Web site: Wicks. Lauren. These are the top 10 predictions for 2021 Outdoor Living Trends, according to design experts. Veranda. 11 December 2020.
  30. Web site: Brammer. Mikki. These Outdoor Design Trends Will Dominate in 2021. Architectural Digest. 15 January 2021.
  31. Web site: Wellbank. Lauren. Four Things to Consider When Adding Hanging Flower Pots to Your Home. Martha Stewart Living. 21 January 2021.
  32. Web site: White. Peter. Discovery+ Unveils Original Content Slate Including '90 day Fiancé' spinoff & Series From Kevin Hart, David Schwimmer, Martha Stewart and Michael Urie. Deadline. 2 December 2020.
  33. Web site: Marx. Linda. Clipped's Fernando Wong on Co-star Martha Stewart, Celeb Clients, and Achieving the American Dream. People Magazine. 4 May 2021.
  34. Web site: Keller. Hadley. Fernando Wong Talks Filming With Martha Stewart, the Best Houseplants for Beginners, and More. housebeautiful.com. 11 May 2021.
  35. . Gold List 2021. Luxe Interior + Design, Palm Beach + Broward. Luxe Interior . January 2021.
  36. Web site: Wicks. Lauren. Meet the 20 Designers Behind This Year's Kips Bay Palm Beach Decorator Show House. Veranda.com. 22 February 2021.
  37. Web site: Hofheinz. Darrell. Palm Beach Design Firms Earn Spot on Kips Bay Show House Roster. Palm Beach Post. 28 February 2021.
  38. Web site: Fifth Annual Stars of Design Awards. 3 November 2019. Black Tie Magazine.
  39. Web site: Palm Beach tour illustrates flexibility of landmark restoration. 9 March 2020. Palm Beach Daily News.
  40. Web site: Provence, by way of Palm Beach, inspires award-winning garden. 21 April 2018. Palm Beach Daily News.
  41. Web site: Design honors: Five Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach winners. 4 May 2018. Palm Beach Daily News.
  42. Web site: Addison Mizner Awards. 3 November 2019. ICAA.
  43. Web site: 2018 Luxe RED Award Winners. 3 November 2019. Luxe.Red Awards.
  44. Web site: 2019 Luxe RED Award winners. 3 November 2019. Luxe.Red Awards.
  45. Web site: 2020 Luxe RED award winners. 17 December 2020. Luxe.Red Awards.
  46. Web site: 2020 Addison Mizner Awards. 17 December 2020. ICAA Florida Chapter.
  47. Web site: Traditional Building Conference. 12 April 2021.
  48. Web site: Fazzare. Elizabeth. Fernando Wong Designs Luxury Gardens with a Message. culturedmag.com. 26 September 2021.
  49. Web site: Palm Beach firms dominate at Mizner Awards architectural competition. Palm Beach Daily News. 2 May 2023.
  50. Web site: Professional Membership Directory. 11 November 2019. ICAA.
  51. Web site: Landmarks Preservation Commission. 11 November 2019. Town of Palm Beach.
  52. Web site: Palm Beach Town Council names members to two boards. 12 March 2020. Palm Beach Daily News.
  53. Web site: Wagner. Jodie. Landscape Designer Fernando Wong Steps Down from Seat on Palm Beach's Landmarks Board. Palm Beach Daily News. 7 May 2024.

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