Fernando Wong
{{short description|Panamanian landscape designer}}
{{Infobox person
|name = Fernando Wong
|image =Fernando Wong.jpg
|image_size =
|caption =Wong in 2019
|birth_name =
|birth_date =
|birth_place = Panama City, Panama
|death_date =
|resting_place =
|nationality =
|education = University of Panama
|occupation = Landscape Designer
|spouse = Timothy C. Johnson (m. 2019)
|parents = Fernando Wong and Florinda Castillo-De Wong
|website = {{URL|www.fernandowongold.com}}
}}
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.{{cite web|last1=Cornelius|first1=Donna|url= https://www.otmj.com/antiques-at-the-gardens-2021/|title=Landscape Legend: Fernando Wong Is One of This Year's Design Stars at Antiques at The Gardens|work=Over The Mountain Journal|date=22 September 2021}}
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.{{cite web|last1=Hemlock|first1=Doreen|url=https://therealdeal.com/miami/2016/12/19/qa-landscape-designer-fernando-wong-living-the-american-dream/|title=Q&A with landscape designer Fernando Wong: living the American dream|date=19 December 2016|work=TheRealDeal South Florida Real Estate News}} Wong's father encouraged him to be an athlete, so he competed as a swimmer and pentathlete from the ages of 19 to 24.{{cite web|last1=Benn|first1=Evan|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/indulge/interior-design/article224154010.html|title=Miami landscape-design star Fernando Wong gives luxury properties lush surroundings|date=9 January 2019|work=Miami Herald}} Wong learned to speak English by watching American television shows.{{cite web|last1=Nesmith|first1=Susannah|url=http://www.fernandowongold.com/press/pdf/indulge_08-17.pdf|title=Express Yourself|date=August 2017|work=Indulge Magazine}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/gardens/garden-styles-and-types/a-top-garden-design-expert-shares-his-tips-pictures|title=A Top Garden Design Expert Shares His Tips|work=HGTV|accessdate=24 July 2021}}
When he first moved to the United States he earned a living by doing renderings for interior designers {{cite web|last1=Weiss|first1=Allie|url=https://www.interiordesign.net/articles/12814-10-questions-with-fernando-wong/|title=10 Questions with...Fernando Wong|date=8 February 2017|work=Interior Design}} and working on a landscape crew.{{cite web|url=http://voyagemia.com/interview/meet-fernando-wong-fernando-wong-outdoor-living-design-miami-beach/|title=Meet Fernando Wong of Fernando Wong Outdoor Living Design|date=16 November 2017|work=VoyageMIA}}{{cite web|last1=Derringer|first1=Jaime|url=https://design-milk.com/make-garden-modern-landscape-design-tips-fernando-wong/|title=Make your garden modern: landscape design tips from Fernando Wong|date=2 February 2017|work=Design Milk}} 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.{{cite web|last1=Keller|first1=Hadley|url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/fernando-wong-miami-surf-club-landscape-design|title=Fernando Wong talks plans for Surf Club Miami and more|date=14 February 2017|work=Architectural Digest}}
Career
Wong established his company Fernando Wong Outdoor Living Design, Inc with his partner Tim Johnson in 2005.{{cite web|last1=Williams|first1=Terri|url=https://www.realhomes.com/us/news/3-common-mistakes-people-make-when-designing-an-outdoor-space-according-to-fernando-wong-of-discoverys-clipped|title=3 common mistakes people make when designing an outdoor space, according to Fernando Wong of Discovery+'s "Clipped"|work=realhomes.com|date=6 June 2021}}
When his roster of clients grew in Palm Beach,{{cite web|url=https://www.housebeautiful.com/room-decorating/outdoor-ideas/tips/g1104/summer-porch-decorating-ideas/?slide=7|title=36 Porch ideas that epitomize summer bliss|date=16 April 2020|work=Hadley Mendelsohn for House Beautiful}}{{cite magazine|last=Hodes|first=Robin|date=July 2021|title=Serenity Garden|magazine=Boca Magazine|location=Boca Raton}} North Palm Beach, Florida and in Jupiter, Florida, Wong opened up a second office in Palm Beach,{{cite web|url=https://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/article/20140126/NEWS/301269890|title=Landscape designer brings distinct style to the island|date=26 January 2014|work=Palm Beach Daily News}} where his work has included creating landscaping for contemporary as well as historic homes.{{cite web|url=https://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/news/20200629/palm-beach-homes-7185m-sale-sets-new-lakefront-record-house-is-at-8-s-lake-trail|title=Palm Beach homes:$71.85M sale sets new lakefront record;house is at 8 S Lake Trail|date=29 June 2020|work=Palm Beach Daily News}}{{cite web|last1=Donnelly|first1=Shannon|url=https://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/story/lifestyle/2021/01/31/society-columnist-shannon-donnellys-bloodshot-eyed-take-palm-beach/4324062001/|title=In this town it's all about the green, be it money, of the preferred hue of an emerald or landscaping|work=Palm Beach Daily News|date=31 January 2021}} In 2017 the company opened a third office in Southampton, New York.
Wong's designs include a 15,000-square-foot sculpture garden at the Institute of Contemporary Art (Miami),{{cite web|last1=Menking|first1=William|url=https://www.archpaper.com/2017/12/new-ica-miami-aranguren-gallegos/|title=New ICA Miami opens a welcoming public space in the Design District|work=The Architect's Newspaper|date=7 December 2017}}{{cite web|last1=Fazzare|first1=Elizabeth|url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/ica-miami-newest-art-space|title=Meet the Architects Behind Miami's Newest Art Space|work=Architectural Digest|date=24 November 2017}}{{cite web|last1=Vogel|first1=Wendy|url=https://www.culturedmag.com/ica-miami/|title=ICA Miami opens in the design district|work=Cultured Mag|date=27 November 2017}}
3 Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in South Florida, the Four Seasons Private Residences in Fort Lauderdale,{{cite web|last1=Mastrandrea|first1=Paige|url=https://www.hauteresidence.com/watch-the-art-of-indoor-outdoor-living-entertaining-with-four-seasons-fort-lauderdale-private-residences/|title=WATCH:The Art of Indoor-Outdoor Living & Entertaining with Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale Private Residences|date=15 July 2020|work=hauteresidence.com}}{{cite web|last1=Reigler|first1=Paul|url=https://www.frequentbusinesstraveler.com/2020/12/four-seasons-to-open-5-new-hotels-in-2021|title= Four Seasons to Open 5 New Hotels in 2021|work=Frequent Business Traveler|date=4 December 2020}}
a Starwood Luxury Collection Hotel called the Perry Lane in Savannah, Georgia,{{cite web|last1=Mantica|first1=Ana|url=https://stories.forbestravelguide.com/hedge-fun-a-chat-with-the-four-seasons-landscaping-genius|title=Hedge fun: a chat with the Four Seasons' landscaping genius|date=21 April 2017|work=Forbes Travel Guide}} and a National Park in Nassau, Bahamas for the Bahamian government.
Wong designed the landscape and outdoor space at The Surf Club at the Four Seasons (Miami Beach) with Pritzker Architecture Prize winning architect Richard Meier.{{cite book|last=Four Seasons Hotel and Residences|title=The Surf Club|publisher=Assouline|location=New York, NY|year=2014|isbn=978-1-6142-8302-7}} Wong also worked in collaboration with Paris-based architect/interior designer Joseph Dirand, 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.
In 2019 Wong was the honorary co-chair of the Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show, along with award-winning interior designer Amanda Lindroth.{{cite web|last1=Logan|first1=Liz|url=https://modernluxuryinteriors.com/article/landscape-designer-fernando-wong-lands-in-chicago-to-share-tips-for-creating-lush-landscapes|title=Landscape designer Fernando Wong lands in Chicago to share tips for creating lush landscapes|date=5 April 2019|work=Modern Luxury}}
Because Wong was trained in architecture, he uses classical architectural principles in his garden designs, like scale, balance, harmony and symmetry.{{cite book |last1=Staub |first1=Jack |authorlink1=Jack Staub |last2=Cardillo |first2=Rob |authorlink2=Rob Cardillo |title=Private Gardens of South Florida |publisher=Gibbs Smith |location=Layton, Utah |orig-year=1st pub. 2016 |isbn=978-1-4236-3810-0|year=2016 }}{{cite web|last1=Burch|first1=Tory|url=https://www.toryburch.com/blog-post/blog-post.html?bpid=421415|title=Landscape Designer Fernando Wong On Summer Garden Tips|date=18 June 2018|work=Tory Daily}}{{cite book |last1=Dellatore |first1=Carl |title=Garden Design Master Class, 100 Lessons From the World's Finest Designers on the Art of the Garden |publisher=Rizzoli International Publications Inc. |location=New York, New York |orig-year=1st pub. 2020 |isbn=978-0-8478-6666-3|year=2020 }} His designs are also influenced by his studies in interior design {{cite web|last1=Finder Weepie|first1=Sally|url=http://www.traditionalhome.com/gardens/outdoor-living/design-tips-outdoor-entertaining|title=Design Tips for Outdoor Entertaining|accessdate=5 November 2019|work=Traditional Home}} and strategic use of lighting.{{cite web|last1=Wicks|first1=Lauren|url=https://www.veranda.com/outdoor-garden/g34931394/outdoor-living-trends-2021/|title=These Are the top 10 Predictions for 2021 Outdoor Living Trends, According to Design Experts|work=Veranda|date=11 December 2020}}{{cite web|last1=Wicks|first1=Lauren|url=https://www.veranda.com/outdoor-garden/g34931394/outdoor-living-trends-2021/|title=These are the top 10 predictions for 2021 Outdoor Living Trends, according to design experts|work=Veranda|date=11 December 2020}}{{cite web|last1=Brammer|first1=Mikki|url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/these-outdoor-design-trends-will-dominate-in-2021|title=These Outdoor Design Trends Will Dominate in 2021|work=Architectural Digest|date=15 January 2021}} Wong has also branched out into indoor design ideas.{{cite web|last1=Wellbank|first1=Lauren|url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/four-things-consider-adding-hanging-180732395.html|title=Four Things to Consider When Adding Hanging Flower Pots to Your Home|work=Martha Stewart Living|date=21 January 2021}}
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.{{cite web|last1=White|first1=Peter|url=https://deadline.com/2020/12/discovery-plus-original-content-90-day-fiance-kevin-hart-martha-stewart-1234636414/|title=Discovery+ Unveils Original Content Slate Including '90 day Fiancé' spinoff & Series From Kevin Hart, David Schwimmer, Martha Stewart and Michael Urie|work=Deadline|date=2 December 2020}}{{cite web|last1=Marx|first1=Linda|url=https://people.com/home/fernando-wong-clipped-landscape-designer-profile/|title=Clipped's Fernando Wong on Co-star Martha Stewart, Celeb Clients, and Achieving the American Dream|work=People Magazine|date=4 May 2021}} The show premiered on Discovery+ and HGTV on May 12, 2021.{{cite web|last1=Keller|first1=Hadley|url=https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/gardening/a36383422/hgtv-clipped-fernando-wong-martha-stewart-gardening/|title=Fernando Wong Talks Filming With Martha Stewart, the Best Houseplants for Beginners, and More|work=housebeautiful.com|date=11 May 2021}}
In 2021 Wong was named to the Luxe Interior + Design magazine's Gold List.{{cite magazine|author=|title=Gold List 2021|magazine=Luxe Interior + Design, Palm Beach + Broward|publisher=Luxe Interior |date=January 2021}} In February of that same year, he was chosen as one of the designers for the prestigious decorator show house, Kips Bay Palm Beach.{{cite web|last1=Wicks|first1=Lauren|url=https://www.veranda.com/home-decorators/a35520187/kips-bay-palm-beach-2021-designers/|title=Meet the 20 Designers Behind This Year's Kips Bay Palm Beach Decorator Show House|work=Veranda.com|date=22 February 2021}}{{cite web|last1=Hofheinz|first1=Darrell|url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/business/real-estate/2021/02/26/palm-beach-design-firms-kips-bay-decorator-show-house-roster/6832004002/|title=Palm Beach Design Firms Earn Spot on Kips Bay Show House Roster|work=Palm Beach Post|accessdate=28 February 2021}}
Awards
Other
Fernando Wong is a member of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art.{{cite web|url=https://www.classicist.org/membership-directory/fernando-wong-outdoor-living-design/|title=Professional Membership Directory|accessdate=11 November 2019|work=ICAA}} In 2019 Wong was appointed to the Palm Beach Landmarks Preservation Commission by the Palm Beach Town Council.{{cite web|url=https://www.townofpalmbeach.com/100/Landmarks-PreservationCommission|title=Landmarks Preservation Commission|accessdate=11 November 2019|work=Town of Palm Beach}}{{cite web|url=https://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/news/20200312/palm-beach-town-council-names-members-to-two-boards|title=Palm Beach Town Council names members to two boards|date=12 March 2020|work=Palm Beach Daily News}} He resigned from the board in 2024.{{cite web|last=Wagner|first=Jodie|url=https://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/story/news/2024/05/07/palm-beachs-landmarks-board-down-another-member-as-wong-steps-down/73555811007/#|title=Landscape Designer Fernando Wong Steps Down from Seat on Palm Beach's Landmarks Board|work=Palm Beach Daily News|date=7 May 2024}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wong, Fernando}}
Category:People from Panama City
Category:21st-century Panamanian LGBTQ people
Category:21st-century Panamanian people
Category:20th-century Panamanian LGBTQ people
Category:20th-century Panamanian people
Category:Panamanian expatriates in the United States
Category:People from Miami Beach, Florida
Category:University of Panama alumni
Category:Panamanian people of Chinese descent
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:American landscape and garden designers
Category:New Classical architects