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This flexible Hong Kong flat can be transformed to suit its owners’ needs

A West Kowloon home adapts to the lives of its occupants – not the other way around

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A sliding wall shrinks or expands the living area and guest room at this flat in West Kowloon designed by Norman Ung, co-founder of design studios Form and Design Eight Five Two (Deft). Photo: Eugene Chan

This 750 sq ft West Kowloon flat is a masterclass in adaptable design. Slide back a wall in the living room and the area nearly doubles in size; slide it forward and a comfortable guest bedroom appears. The seamless transformation is proof that good design is as much about versatility as it is about style.

To reimagine their home, owner Ben Chao, who works in media, and his partner, who is in banking, enlisted Norman Ung Wai-lun, co-founder of design studios Design Eight Five Two (Deft) and Form. The task: create a space that elegantly evolves as needed.
Living area. Photo: Eugene Chan
Living area. Photo: Eugene Chan

Bought by Chao in 2024, the apartment came with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. To unlock more everyday space, the living area was enlarged by removing the second bedroom.

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“What we wanted was a decent size for the guests that we’re going to host,” says Chao, adding that a priority was being able to accommodate friends and family without sacrificing valuable living space. “We also didn’t want a fixed room sitting empty most of the time.”

The solution: a custom-designed partition system. Panels, crafted from wood and finished in white lacquer, glide effortlessly to tailor the layout and the dimensions of the guest room on demand. Everything, says Ung, “is as sleek as possible”.

Flexible room. Photo: Eugene Chan
Flexible room. Photo: Eugene Chan

“The intent is also to preserve and maximise the living area’s view,” he adds, pointing to the panoramic vista of the Hong Kong skyline. The panels allow the layout to flex: an easily stowed Murphy bed transforms the space into an instant guest nook or a bigger bedroom, if desired. “With this flexible partition, they can adjust according to the need.”

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