By: Nigel F. Maynard
Project: Private Residence / Location: Kowloon, Hong Kong / Designer: Adrian Chan Design & Research Office, New York City / Photography: Kevin Mak
Someone once said that any architect can design a big house, but it takes extra skill to make a small space feel grand and exciting. This can be applied to the compact Hong Kong apartment by Adrian Chan Design and Research Office. In this case, the space is only 570 square feet.
Tasked with redesigning the space, the firm introduced an undulating wall as an architectural element that unifies the spatial layout for a couple and their new baby. A focal point throughout the unit, it also conceals their belongings. “The clients were concerned about how clutter was affecting their relationship and family organization in a small space, and the home needed to be welcoming and nurturing for the new baby, both physically and experientially,” the designer says.
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The undulating wall has a dual purpose in the unit: It serves as a wayfinding mechanism and integrates a bathroom, storage and mechanical systems with its gentle curvilinear surface that extends from the kitchen through the corridor and into the bedroom.
The implementation of “horizontal” in addition to “vertical” cabinetry exposes empty wall space to amplify the illusion of spaciousness (“vertical” cabinetry, such as closets and dressers, is typical in most homes). Hydraulic hardware is incorporated to lift up an entire master bedroom floor, creating storage underneath for off-season clothes and valuables. In the corridor, the ceiling contains integrated built-in millwork to store Chinese dried food items and luggage, as with the bedroom desk and living room bench that transform into storage through a flip-up mechanism.
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Adrian Chan approached the project with a thorough analysis of the clients’ belongings and projected growth over the next decade by considering each individual’s evolving needs. Plentiful storage does not detract from an elegant, soft, and sensual interior.
The frim achieved order through modest but precise design gestures—meticulous planning and an integrative design strategy encouraged circuitous flow amongst the family members. “The curved wall system offers organization and maximal storage, made possible through a light-handed and cost-effective manner using oak veneer,” the firm says. And because there was minimal use of material and little need for demolition, the designer was able to propose an economical way of creating an architecturally interesting and elegant backdrop, with a neutral palette that elevates the family’s daily rituals.
Adrian Chan Design & Research Office is a New York City-based interiors practice that sees physical, economic and societal limits as opportunities for investigation and experimentation. The design process is evidence-based, while the style is minimalist, with an international, contemporary flavor.
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