The world’s largest library reading space, in the Beijing City Library in China’s capital, was inspired by nature and designed to be something of a social space. Photo: Yumeng Zhu

Library or forest? World’s biggest library reading space, in Beijing, is both

The world’s largest library reading space, housed by the Beijing City Library in China’s capital, was inspired by nature – think rice paddies, a river and trees – and designed to be something of a social space.

16 Mar 2024 - 1:15PM

Soothing avocado green, French simplicity in this Hong Kong home’s makeover

A Hong Kong-based client’s favourite colour shade was not only on trend, it was also the perfect hue to turn her 520 sq ft Tsuen Wan flat into a relaxing sanctuary.

A Hong Kong-based client’s favourite colour shade was not only on trend, it was also the perfect hue to turn her 520 sq ft Tsuen Wan flat into a relaxing sanctuary.

10 Mar 2024 - 11:15AM

Forget Ikea – how sustainable slow decorating has become a new home trend

There’s slow fashion, food, travel – and now decorating, the sustainable home trend fighting against fast furniture like Ikea that encompasses vintage pieces, upcycling and quality that lasts.

There’s slow fashion, food, travel – and now decorating, the sustainable home trend fighting against fast furniture like Ikea that encompasses vintage pieces, upcycling and quality that lasts.

9 Mar 2024 - 6:15PM

‘A perfect retirement home’: 510 sq ft Hong Kong apartment with Bauhaus form

This 510 sq ft retirement apartment in Hong Kong’s Tai Hang neighbourhood has been given a Bauhaus-inspired renovation that will allow its elderly occupants to age in place – and comfort.

This 510 sq ft retirement apartment in Hong Kong’s Tai Hang neighbourhood has been given a Bauhaus-inspired renovation that will allow its elderly occupants to age in place – and comfort.

29 Feb 2024 - 11:21AM

How a design journalist’s Hong Kong village house evolved over 20 years

A design journalist reflects on the house in a village in Hong Kong’s Sai Kung district she called home for 20 years, and how the homes she wrote about influenced numerous upgrades to its interiors.

A design journalist reflects on the house in a village in Hong Kong’s Sai Kung district she called home for 20 years, and how the homes she wrote about influenced numerous upgrades to its interiors.

22 Feb 2024 - 1:06PM

Opinion

12 Sep 2023 - 7:45AM

Now back in Britain, history is all around me. Hong Kong has sacrificed many of its historic buildings for profit. It’s time that stopped.

26 Aug 2023 - 1:15PM
7 Aug 2023 - 7:45AM

MORE STORIES

The Blue, in Taipei, by Spheron Architects. Its designers talk about conceiving the hotel according to Emotionalist principles they set out in a manifesto that calls for architecture to counter an “ever-digitising world” where they fear humans are losing control. Photo: Yu Zhi Lin

When the covers came off The Blue hotel, Taipei ‘paused for a moment’

Pair whose focus is the need for an architecture that responds to a world being manipulated by AI, and for Emotional cities not Smart cities, put their ideas into practice in design of The Blue in Taipei.

19 Feb 2024 - 9:39AM

Now a Hong Kong university campus, its darker past is of war and prisoners

Nestled in verdant Pok Fu Lam, the University of Chicago’s Hong Kong campus tells the story of the city’s wartime defeat to the Japanese and of its buildings’ subsequent occupants: prisoners.

Nestled in verdant Pok Fu Lam, the University of Chicago’s Hong Kong campus tells the story of the city’s wartime defeat to the Japanese and of its buildings’ subsequent occupants: prisoners.

19 Feb 2024 - 11:37AM

The outdoors is the artwork in a Hong Kong home with stunning green views

Harbour views are prized in Hong Kong, but a renovation of a flat with huge windows makes the most of its vistas of verdant hillsides to create a restful interior with notes of wood and stone.

Harbour views are prized in Hong Kong, but a renovation of a flat with huge windows makes the most of its vistas of verdant hillsides to create a restful interior with notes of wood and stone.

12 Feb 2024 - 1:15PM

Artist’s line drawing inspires Hong Kong home design with a Balinese vibe

A Hong Kong village house with a Balinese vibe brings Scandinavian, Moroccan and Japanese elements together seamlessly – and it all started with a single-line drawing.

A Hong Kong village house with a Balinese vibe brings Scandinavian, Moroccan and Japanese elements together seamlessly – and it all started with a single-line drawing.

28 Jan 2024 - 11:15AM

‘It was a nightmare’: building the world’s first luxury villa in a plane

Russian entrepreneur Felix Demin reveals why his Private Jet Villa – a new luxury residence in Bali built in an old Boeing 737-200, which rents for up to US$6,500 per night – was so hard to create.

Russian entrepreneur Felix Demin reveals why his Private Jet Villa – a new luxury residence in Bali built in an old Boeing 737-200, which rents for up to US$6,500 per night – was so hard to create.

27 Jan 2024 - 7:15AM

From ‘dark and heavy’ to light and airy: Hong Kong seaside house transformed

Renovation of a seaside house for a family of four gives it a coastal vibe – think whitewashed walls, a timber staircase that funnels light down, and stone floors that ‘don’t show marks or pet hair’.

Renovation of a seaside house for a family of four gives it a coastal vibe – think whitewashed walls, a timber staircase that funnels light down, and stone floors that ‘don’t show marks or pet hair’.

21 Jan 2024 - 11:15AM

‘Living canvas’: Galle Fort art trail promotes Sri Lankan cultural tourism

Staged as part of Sri Lanka’s Galle Literary Festival, the historic town’s Art Trail offers exhibitions, open houses and artists’ tours to provide an ‘alternative experience’ for visitors.

Staged as part of Sri Lanka’s Galle Literary Festival, the historic town’s Art Trail offers exhibitions, open houses and artists’ tours to provide an ‘alternative experience’ for visitors.

20 Jan 2024 - 9:45AM

3 floors, balcony, terrace – Nordic look makes the most of Hong Kong flat

A triplex apartment in Hong Kong’s Mid-Levels offered plenty of space to play with, but its slim footprint meant adopting a simple Nordic design.

A triplex apartment in Hong Kong’s Mid-Levels offered plenty of space to play with, but its slim footprint meant adopting a simple Nordic design.

14 Jan 2024 - 11:15AM

White-on-white minimalist Hong Kong flat is homeowner’s dream living space

A minor update to an apartment in Hong Kong’s Mid-Levels turned into a full-blown renovation. The results reflect the homeowner’s tastes and spin maximum satisfaction from a minimalist aesthetic.

A minor update to an apartment in Hong Kong’s Mid-Levels turned into a full-blown renovation. The results reflect the homeowner’s tastes and spin maximum satisfaction from a minimalist aesthetic.

6 Jan 2024 - 11:15AM

Warm wood, tree-like columns – new Union Church connected to nature and past

The new Union Church has been designed to honour the congregation’s 180-year history in Hong Kong. Tree-like structural columns support a vaulted ceiling and the airy space is filled with natural light.

The new Union Church has been designed to honour the congregation’s 180-year history in Hong Kong. Tree-like structural columns support a vaulted ceiling and the airy space is filled with natural light.

1 Jan 2024 - 1:15PM

‘Full of adventures’: inside China’s award-winning school campus

With Huizhen High School in China’s Ningbo city winning the World Building of the Year 2023 at the World Architecture Festival, we find out how its architecture helps release students’ academic pressure.

With Huizhen High School in China’s Ningbo city winning the World Building of the Year 2023 at the World Architecture Festival, we find out how its architecture helps release students’ academic pressure.

17 Dec 2023 - 6:15PM

When Hong Kong opened Choi Hung Estate, now an Instagrammers’ hotspot

Work on one of Hong Kong’s most Instagram-friendly places, the rainbow-coloured Choi Hung Estate, was approved in 1960. Governor Sir Robert Black called it ‘something of incalculable importance’.

Work on one of Hong Kong’s most Instagram-friendly places, the rainbow-coloured Choi Hung Estate, was approved in 1960. Governor Sir Robert Black called it ‘something of incalculable importance’.

9 Dec 2023 - 11:15AM

He made a minimalist, airy 500 sq ft Hong Kong flat that ‘tells a story’

Architect Georges Hung and his wife lived for three months in their Discovery Bay home before deciding how to renovate it. He turned the apartment from cramped and boxy into an open, airy space.

Architect Georges Hung and his wife lived for three months in their Discovery Bay home before deciding how to renovate it. He turned the apartment from cramped and boxy into an open, airy space.

8 Dec 2023 - 12:45PM

Outdoor desks, indoor decor: experts pick their 2024 home design trends

Coming design trends, chosen by experts and an AI, include technology, statement towels, terracotta and bold marble, and biophilic design – including preserved plants and floral wallpaper.

Coming design trends, chosen by experts and an AI, include technology, statement towels, terracotta and bold marble, and biophilic design – including preserved plants and floral wallpaper.

8 Dec 2023 - 7:55AM

Can anything save 3 historic Hong Kong villages from the wrecking ball?

A trio of historic Hong Kong ‘squatter’ villages face destruction, destined to be replaced by homogenous residential blocks despite the efforts of historians, architects and academics.

A trio of historic Hong Kong ‘squatter’ villages face destruction, destined to be replaced by homogenous residential blocks despite the efforts of historians, architects and academics.

2 Dec 2023 - 9:41AM