Suitcase living

In September 2002 architect Gary Chang of Edge HK (tel: 2802 6212; www.edge.hk.com) was invited to be one of 12 young Asian architects to participate in creating the Commune for the Great Wall experimental development in Beijing. Chang accepted and the Suitcase House was born. Made up of three layers, the long, low home was designed to allow maximum adaptability. Among a range of devices, including sliding partitions, folding doors and pneumatic floor panels that rise to reveal hidden compartments, was incorporated to allow residents to configure the space according to need. After the project Chang collected his ideas in a quirky book, Suitcase House (left), in English and Chinese. It offers insight into the evolution of the house complete with e-mails between the parties involved, copies of Chang's drawings, computer graphics of the layout, photographs and transcripts of interviews explaining the design. Published by MCCM Creations, the book is available from branches of Page One and Kubrick Bookstore (Prosperous Gardens, 3 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei, tel: 2384 5465; $220).