A Hong Kong home with more living areas than bedrooms, inspired by the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi
A couple’s minimalist Mid-Levels flat, which went from four bedrooms to just one, is a series of sculptural spaces that unfold and captivate at every turn
To call architect Nelson Chow Chi-wai’s latest Hong Kong project a residence seems inadequate. The flat’s interlacing materials of onyx stone, marble and oxidised metal make the home appear sculptural but also of a piece – like layers of sedimentary rock inside a mountain quarry.
“They appreciate Japanese design philosophy,” says Chow. “Especially the efficiency of being uncluttered and minimal.”
Chow conceived a space in which functional components are seamlessly integrated as part of the architecture, a pared-down aesthetic he hoped would create a sense of calm.
Using simple geometries helps people focus more on texture and materials, and it makes the space more modern
In reconfiguring the 1,700 sq ft Mid-Levels flat, from four bedrooms to one, Chow created a series of living areas that unfold in succession.
“Within a confined space we tried to create transitions,” he says. “We built wooden passages that become dark. The passages make you want to meditate, and with these transitions you appreciate the light.”