“Hong Kong people are often particular about harbor views, and think that upper floors of apartment buildings are more open and nice. Here, you can see the mountains high up, but you can also see other buildings and towers in the distance. But nature alone is not all that attractive.”
Gary Chang Chee-keung created a custom vanity area and designed a mirror with integrated LED lighting.Photo: Eugene Chan
The three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment had never been renovated since the client bought it 15 years ago, so it looked run down.
Additionally, as the couple's son grew up and left home, they decided the third bedroom, previously dedicated to school, was underutilized and a waste of space.
He built a minimalist, airy 500-square-foot Hong Kong apartment that “tells a story”
Rather than downsize, they decide to renovate the house they love to make it more suitable for their stage in life.
Mr. Chang demolished the apartment, but did not significantly change its layout. This property started out as two separate units before he was combined into one, so there were some load-bearing walls that could not be removed.
As a result, the kitchen, living and dining areas were placed in the center of the apartment, with the master bedroom on one side, the son's room on the other, and a private bathroom for the family's domestic help in the back.
Windows throughout the apartment, including in my son's bedroom (above), reflect natural landscapes like works of art.Photo: Eugene Chan
“Due to the structure of the walls, we couldn't make the common area any bigger, so we combined what used to be my son's bedroom into a separate master bedroom and a large bathroom.
“It gives the client a dedicated space, but it can be easily modified to suit when my son visits,” explains Chan, whose project took 18 months to complete.
The apartment's superpowers are its two balconies and six huge bay windows, in which Chan built a desk and daybed. He also strategically designed the placement of the furniture in each room, ensuring that clients always had a view of the greenery when sitting or lying on the main pieces of furniture.
Our designs are simple yet elegant and timeless.Our clients listened to our ideas, but we also wanted to give them the opportunity to have fun at home. He is Gary Cheung Chi-kun, Architecture designer
Black metal-framed windows reflect natural landscapes like works of art, and Chan uses natural stone, natural wood, and soft greens as color accents throughout the flat to create a seamless indoor-outdoor atmosphere. increased the connection between
Unable to expand the relatively small kitchen, Chan created a stylish cocktail bar in the dining area. It acts as an extension of the kitchen and is often used as a preparation space before meals are served.
He lined the bar alcove with beveled mirrors and used the same materials as the kitchen to connect the spaces.
A soft green wash was used throughout the flat as a color accent.Photo: Eugene Chan
“We took a subtle Art Deco approach to creating the bar, with mirrored walls and pale green powder-coated wood panels surrounding them to hide the cupboards and fridge,” says Chan. says.
“My clients can use it to display their glassware, and having a dedicated service area creates a luxurious feel to the apartment.”
Art Deco elements also appear elsewhere in the apartment. Obvious references to the era's interior trends include the extensive use of luxurious textures, symmetrical fluted panels on walls and furniture, and retro-style sconces, pendant lamps, and table lamps.
Light floods into the family home with enlarged windows and glass railings.
Chang explains that the studio's strategy is all about change and choice. He's a fan of modular furniture (see Tried + Tested below), and that extends to his room rugs, working with Tai Ping Carpets to create “carpets with a purpose.” Did.
The rug consists of a “frame” made from a simple, durable material that showcases a circular “artwork” made of two removable halves of silk wool. These semicircles come in a variety of designs and can be combined. When not on display in the living room, spare segments can be used elsewhere, such as on either side of the bed.
“Our designs are simple but elegant and timeless,” says Chan. “The client listened to our ideas, but we also wanted to give them the opportunity to be creative themselves and have fun at home.”
Six individual tables in the living room can be used separately or combined in different configurations.Photo: Eugene Chan
living and bar area
The cocktail bar's beveled mirror splashback was custom-made by Gary Chang of EDGE Design Institute (edgedesign.com.hk), and the worktops are crafted from unique Calacatta black technology quartz by Compac (us.compac.es) it was done. The Blossi table lamp was from Manks (www.manks.com).
The pale green fluted walls are made of powder-coated wood and hide the fridge and cupboards, but a wine fridge from Vinvautz (vinvautz-france.com) is on display.
Both are only visible, but the Iago sofa is from Natuzzi (natuzzi.com) and the elm buffet AK2732 TV sideboard and Corian are from Manks.
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dining area
The Adler extendable dining table was from Draenert (draenert.de) and the Hauge dining chairs were all from BoConcept (boconcept.com). Linear Chandelier Thin is by Tom Kirk Lighting (tomkirk.com).
The Chan-designed storage unit features a Cestita Batería cordless lamp made by Miguel Mira for Santa and Cole, purchased from Colourliving (colourliving.shop), and a framed architectural drawing of the apartment.
The sculpture “Bearbrick x CLOT Summer Fruits Yellow Watermelon Set” is available for purchase on ebay.com.
The galley kitchen was designed by Mr. Chan.Photo: Eugene Chan
kitchen
The galley kitchen was designed by Chan and installed by Mia Cucina by Towngas (towngasmiacucina.com). The floor tiles were sourced by Chang's contractor, Christie Yau of Vivo Contracting (tel: 9162 6288).
study
Chang's built-in desk offers views of the greenery. The B&B Italia Husk Chair by Patricia Urquiola was purchased from Colourliving.
A built-in desk that Chan has installed in his study overlooks “thick vegetation” on a nearby hillside.Photo: Eugene Chan
Entrance
Chan designed and installed an artificial skylight at the entrance to let in more light. He also designed the bench seats and sourced the floor tiles from a contractor. The Blossi wall sconce comes from Manks.
son's bedroom
The main bedroom has veneer wallpaper to match the flooring and features a bed and a built-in window seat to enjoy the lush views. Both were designed by Mr. Chan.
The bedside table is by Verner Panton, as is the Blossi pendant light from Manks. There is a private bathroom behind the door.
A fake skylight at the entrance brings in more light.Photo: Eugene Chan
vanity area
Chang created a custom vanity area and designed a mirror with built-in LED lighting. Unique His Calacatta Black Zaha Silk Sintered Stone Splashback and Worktop Tile was purchased from Neolith (neolith.com).
tried + tested
The modular Pinwheel HM7 table by Hvidt & Mølgaard is a classic Danish design from 1953. This table, purchased from Homeless (homeless.hk), consists of six separate tables that can be used individually or slotted together in different configurations.
Another configuration of the vintage Pinwheel HM7 table in the living room.Photo: Eugene Chan
The Carpet with a Purpose is a collaboration between Gary Chang and Tai Ping Carpets (taipingcarpets.com).