TC Chou

Design Determination: Interior Designer, Artist & Entrepreneur

Rockefeller Residence

TC Chou is a New York-based artist, entrepreneur and interior designer with a broad range of experience from high-end residential to commercial and hospitality interiors to urban landscapes. After earning his master’s degree in advanced architecture and urban design at Columbia University, Chou worked with top interiors firms like AD100 Samuel Botero Associates before starting his own company, Design Determination, in 2012. In addition to New York, the firm has offices in Shanghai and Taipei, and works on projects worldwide.

One luxury residential project currently in the final stages is the Park Avenue apartment of Johnathan Rockefeller and his husband, Wilson Rockefeller. Prominent art collectors, the couple’s previous apartment was featured in the New York Times. designdetermination.com

 Steinway Tower, Singapore client

A native of Taiwan, Chou’s design prowess and fluency in Mandarin has made him a go-to for wealthy Chinese-speaking clients. One such recent project is a 55^th-floor unit in the Steinway Tower at 111 West 57^th owned by a Singaporean family. “It’s a really beautiful project, a lot of custom finishes,” said Chou of the space that was featured in Architecural Digest. “We were their designer since they were first in New York, about eight years ago, an apartment on Columbus Circle overlooking Central Park,” he added. The clients only used the place part-time, but now their daughter is in college in the area, so they wanted more space.

Hasbro Theme Park in Beijing; Mark Hopkins Hotel & Posman Books

On the commercial side, one exciting project Design Determination has in the works is a theme park in Beijing for Hasbro, the company behind iconic brands like My Little Pony, Nerf and Power Rangers. Chou’s firm is designing a section called “Peppa Pig Ice and Snow World.” It’s indoors, so everything is below normal temperatures to create the snow and ice hill. “Most of the target audience are age 3 to 10, so it’s quite cute,” he said.

Chou’s team worked for over two years on an expansion of the landmarked Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco; the project was unfortunately put on hold by the pandemic.

Closer to home, Design Determination was tapped to reimagine the Presidential Suite at the Park Hyatt at 157 in Manhattan, and worked on Posman Books in Chelsea Market, which was named the Best Bookstore by NY Magazine in 2013.

Design Philosophy: Realization of Client’s Dream

Chou has a mastery of color and a connoisseur’s eye for art and furnishings, but, he insists, especially in residential design, he does not have a signature “look.” “The reason why is that it’s my client’s style,” he explains. Residential design is a lifestyle business, he believes. “The definition of a successful project for me is if I can bring it to a place that the client loves but never imagined they could have, then I succeeded. I think interior design is not just a realization of client want, it’s a realization of the client’s dream.”

Benji’s of Brooklyn

When the pandemic hit, Design Determination was in the middle of a large brownstone renovation which kept the company going as most other work dwindled. Chou decided he needed to find a way to keep his staff employed. During the downtime, he picked up painting and sketching again after a 10-year hiatus – his first love was fine arts, and his paintings have had numerous showings, including at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office.

He decided to start a greeting card business. He called a staff meeting, explained that he had enough funding for everyone to stay on the payroll, but would they work on his stationary project? “And then they started figuring out the nuts and bolts of how to put a stationary business together.”

Benji, his pet Goldendoodle, was his first sketch model, hence the name: Benji’s of Brooklyn. Benji’s has blossomed into a full-fledged business, with cards sold online and stocked at the Museum of Art & Design store and Shakespeare & Co. books. They’ve adopted technology, producing augmented reality cards, and have created an interactive AR cover for a company that obtained licensing rights for Harry Potter. They’ve also worked with Disney on a filter for the 10th anniversary of Aladdin on Broadway. benjisofbrooklyn.com

Philanthropy Projects

Chou supports various charitable organizations. Two that are especially meaningful to him are Womankind, which assists victims of domestic violence, and Wild Tomorrow Fund, focused on wildlife conservation. “The initials are WTF, which is funny,” he said. After visiting their habitat, he realized that animals have many layers of emotion. “They’re just like us. We’re just human beings, they’re just animal beings. I think all beings deserve to be respected and protected and treated fairly.”  iamwomankind.org , wildtomorrow.org

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Semadar, the award-winning international artist and the creator of Neo-Pointillism, exhibited her latest works at the Red Dot Miami Art Week. The artist, Represented by Artifact Projects, displayed two monumental oil paintings: “Souls Connections” (2022) and “Universe Silent Whispers” (2024). These pieces embody her distinctive artistic language, blending classical inspiration with contemporary themes. 

A Lasting Legacy 

Semadar’s name carries profound significance, reflecting both her artistic journey and personal philosophy. Derived from the Song of Songs in the Torah, “Semadar” refers to the bud of a flower before it blooms—a metaphor for growth, potential, and the continual evolution of her artistry. 

Semadar’s creative instincts first took shape at just 6-years-old. At 14, a transformative moment solidified her destiny. During a school trip to Greece, she visited a museum in Athens and was captivated by the enduring legacy of ancient art. “I was mesmerized,” she recalled. “I said to my professors, ‘These people have been gone for hundreds, thousands of years, and yet we’re talking about them today. I want to be like this. I want my name to live forever.’” Encouraged by her teachers, she nurtured her dream, even as life took her in different directions. 

After immigrating to Canada with her family, Semadar pursued studies in journalism, which she enjoyed but never felt completely fulfilled her passion. It wasn’t until the tragic events of 9/11 that she had the true motivation to uproot her life and follow her passion. She then enrolled in the Academie Arts & Beaux Arts in Paris. This venture proved to be the correct course of action when a professor applauded her, saying “You have the music in you,” and comparing her works to that of a young Leonardo DaVinci. 

Fearless Innovation 

Semadar’s journey is marked by courage and determination. Her groundbreaking Neo-Pointillism technique emerged not from conventional teachings but from her own fearless pursuit of innovation. “When I embarked on Neo-Pointillism, I was told by some of my professors that only a handful of people might understand what I was doing, but I didn’t care. Even if only one person truly understood my work, I will dare to go further,” she said. 

Neo-Pointillism reimagines Impressionist and Post-Impressionist techniques, elevating them with a modern vibrancy. Her works are composed of thousands of meticulously placed brushstrokes, creating dynamic and emotionally resonant compositions. Her revolutionary contributions to the art world earned her recognition from the “Comitato Scientifico” in 2018, and she became the first living artist featured in the Enciclopedia dell’Arte, a comprehensive volume of artistic evolution housed in over 1,000 museums worldwide. 

From Thought to Canvas 

Semadar’s creative process is as intentional as it is organic. Some inspiration stems from her extensive reading of literature and philosophy – she has even learned to read and speak new languages in order to broaden the amount of content she can utilize for her art. Her other artistic muse is nature. “I could be driving and see a tree, and right away I start thinking about creating,” she said. From there, she develops a chromatic palette, selecting colors that align with the painting’s emotional and philosophical themes. “For spiritual content, I might use violet and yellow. The colors are always chosen to reflect the meaning behind the painting,” she explained. 

Once her sketch and palette are prepared, the work takes on a life of its own. “When I start to perceive the possibilities, the sky’s the limit,” she said. “My brushes start flowing, and I work continuously, sometimes for a week or more, because the wet-on-wet technique requires the oil paint to remain fresh. If it dries too quickly, the aesthetic changes completely.” 

A Legacy of Philanthropy and Education 

Beyond her artistic achievements, Semadar is a committed philanthropist. Her works have been donated to support institutions such as St. Justine Hospital, the Montreal Children’s Hospital, and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. She has also contributed to cancer research initiatives and educational projects, including academic research and publishing endeavors. “I am always learning and teaching, because knowledge is something that nobody can take away,” she said. 

The Soul on the Canvas 

Semadar’s art is a direct reflection of her inner world. She describes her process as deeply intuitive and emotionally charged: “As an artist, your soul goes on your canvas, so if I’m in a bad mood, I cannot work. My artwork is so positive, so loving, and I always want to transpose joy to the viewer,” she stated. 

Semadar’s unwavering dedication to her craft, combined with her fearless approach to innovation, cements her legacy as a true visionary. Her art is more than a visual experience—it is an emotional and intellectual journey that invites viewers to explore profound connections between humanity, nature, and the universe. Attendees at Red Dot Miami Art Week had the opportunity to witness Semadar’s transformative works firsthand, a testament to her enduring influence and trailblazing artistry. To experience her expertise firsthand, Semadar teaches a virtual Art Masterclass with 8 lessons diving into classical art, modern art, neo-pointillism, and more.

To learn more visit santinasemadarpanetta.com.

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