Founding Collaborator
howard@atelierx.design

Howard Chu grew up in Texas, where his appreciation for design and craftsmanship began. After studying architecture at the University of Houston and earning his Master of Architecture from Columbia University in 1994, he moved to New York City to pursue his vision of creating poetic and meaningful spaces.

Howard’s passion for creating timeless, meaningful designs has shaped some of the most extraordinary projects for discerning clients worldwide. His career includes a decade as Director of Design at Masastudio and collaborations with Rick Joy, Thierry Despont, Kelly Wearstler, James Polshek, West Chin, and Stephan Jaklitsch, honing his ability to create designs that reflect clarity, material richness, and cultural resonance.

In 2023, Howard founded ATELIER X DESIGN with Lukas Peter to transform the design experience - guided by the principles of “Nature Culture Joy” - and build a studio from the ground up. Working with Aesop and private residential clients, the studio combines simplicity, materiality, and a sense of place to create enduring designs. At ATELIER X DESIGN, Howard continues to craft spaces where natural elements, cultural narratives, and joyful experiences converge to inspire and elevate.

If Howard has a super power, it is his proven track record for making and delivering high quality construction drawings from the trenches for three decades. His hands on approach and unique insights are refreshingly rare in a profession where the making of the work is separated from conceptual design. Our Constellation Team has been modeled to scale this insight to create better outcomes for our team members, builders, and clients.

Originally from Taiwan, Howard moved to Los Angeles to focus on elevating his craft through residential & hospitality architecture and interior designs. In 2014, he reconnected with his college sweetheart, and soon after, they married and settled in Montrose/La Crescenta. Embracing a lifestyle rooted in nature and balance, Howard finds inspiration in the quiet beauty of his surroundings, allowing his work to reflect a deeper connection between design, environment, and the human experience.


Current work:

2023 - Current

Private Residence in Malibu
Private Residence in Altadena
Pebble Beach House
Bethlehem Stone House
Home Grown Affordable Housing
Country House
Sweet ADU 2
Sweet ADU

Michaelangelo Dental Office
Nordic Knots Store
Aesop Montana Avenue
Aesop Larchmont
Aesop Beverly Drive
Market Place


Works At Previous Firms:

2013 - 2023

Amangiri Villas, Amangiri Resort (at Masastudio)
UNESCO Tea Cultural Center Phase 1, Yunnan, China (at Masastudio)
UNESCO Tea Cultural Center Phase 2, Yunnan, China (at Masastudio)
Jingmai Airport VIP Lounge, Jingmai, China (at Masastudio)

Chillida House, Dallas, TX (at Masastudio)
Brentwood House, Brentwood, CA (at Masastudio)
Mandeville Canyon House, Los Angeles, CA (at Masastudio)
Nichols Canyon House, Los Angeles, CA (at Masastudio)
Norman Residence, Beverly Hills, CA (at Masastudio)
Tower Road Residence, Beverly Hills, CA (at Masastudio)
Linda Flora Residence, Bel Air, CA (at Masastudio)
Woods Drive Residence, Hollywood, CA (at Masastudio)

Rossoblu Restaurant, Los Angeles, CA (at Masastudio)
Hamasaku Restaurant, Los Angeles, CA (at Masastudio)
Michael Voltaggio Sunset Restaurant, Los Angeles, CA (at Masastudio)
Sucre and Souk Restaurant, Los Angeles, CA (at Masastudio)
Masastudio Office, Los Angeles, CA (at Masastudio)

Private Beach Residence, Dibba, Oman (at Masastudio)
Private Villa, Dubai, UAE (at Masastudio)
Private Residence Concept Design, Oahu, HI (at Masastudio)
Private Residence, Park CIty, UT (at Masastudio)

Stone Pool House, Bethlehem, PA (at Masastudio)
Al Ghurair University, Dubai, UAE (at Masastudio)
AG Properties Office, Dubai, UAE (at Masastudio)

2010 -2012

Sun Valley House, Sun Valley, Idaho (at Studio Rick Joy)
Casa Cipres, Key Biscayne, Bahamas (at Studio Rick Joy)
Telluride House, Telluride, CO (at Studio Rick Joy)
Private House Concept, Shanghai, China (at Studio RIck Joy)

2005 - 2009

C-Shell House Long Beach, NY (at West Chin Architect)
Serge Normant Salon, New York (at West Chin Architect)
Three Pavilion House, Upstate, NY (at West Chin Architect)

Duffy Townhouse, New York, NY (at Stephan Jaklitsch Architects)
Belstaff Showroom, New York, NY (at Stephan Jaklitsch Architects)
Marc Jaobs Store, Milan, ITA (at Stephan Jaklitsch Architects)
Stephan Jalkitsch Office, New York, NY (at Stephan Jaklitsch Architects)

Triana Office, New York, NY (at Workshop for Architecture)
Christoff Finio Penthouse, New York, NY (at Christoff Fino Architecture)
Amangiri Resort, Canyonlands, UT (at Marwan Al-Sayed Architects)
Villa of the Nine Courts, Dubai, UAE (at Marwan Al-Sayed Architects)

2001 - 2004

Burgin Center for the Arts , Mercersberg Academy (at Ennead)
Paresky Center, Williams College (at Ennead)

Primland Lodge, North Virginia, VA (at Thierry Despont)
Harbour House, Bahamas (at Thierry Despont)

St. Regis High School, New York, NY (at TH Bishop Architects)
DIA Beacon Museum Beacon, NY (at Open Office)

Bodhi Retreat Masterplan, Hempstead, TX (at CH2 Studio)
Brescia Mall Competition, Brescia, ITA (at CH2 Studio)
Union Square Art Installation, New York, NY (at CH2 Studio)
Bystronic Factory, Switzerland (at CH2 Studio)
World Trade Center Penthouse, New York, NY (CH2 Studio)

1994 - 2001

Enrique Martinez Boutique, New York, NY (at HMGA)
Private Residence at One Central Park West, New York, NY (at HGMA)
Palos Verdes Center Competition, Palos Verdes, CA (at HGMA)

Stablie Hall, Pratt Institute Brooklyn, NY (at PKSB)
Williamsburg Community Center Brooklyn, NY (at PKSB)
West End Synagogue, New York, NY (at PKSB)
Triple Bridge for Port Authority, New York, NY (at PKSB)
World War II Memorial Competition, Washington, DC (at PKSB)
Exxon Coporate Interior, Houston, TX (at PDR)
Oceanic University Masterplan, Keelung, Taiwan (at JJ Pan)