CITY VEIL APARTMENT || A Haven of Tranquility and Calm in Bustling Hong Kong
The feeling one gets when visiting Sai Ying Pun, the Western District of Hong Kong, is one of architectural escapism.
The facade of the shops and homes may appear singular and classic, with their muted colors, but treasures are nestled within these spaces. For instance, City Veil Apartment presents a sanctuary of tranquility inside its humble lodging. From the palettes to the fixtures, this residence is a den of calm, attracting those who yearn for a break from the bustle of the city.
The earthy colour palette establishes a comfortable vibe throughout the living space.
In approaching the design and the conversation between the homeowner and the space, Archetypal Limited saw the small-sized floor plan as one of the key challenges. “As with many small apartments, it was important to utilize the space and maximize natural light. Since the unit is only 54 sqm, there were not a lot of major changes we could do to the layout. The apartment consisted of two small bedrooms and a small storage room. The two bedrooms were combined into a single master bedroom, and the storage room was opened up to become part of the living area. This was important to me as I wanted an expanded view of the outside as you walk through the front door. With regards to the aesthetics, it was inspired by the European archways that I came across during my travels and the zen-ness of the Japanese wabi-sabi philosophy. It was important for me to create a strong contrast between my home and the bustling streets of Hong Kong,” says Desmond Wong, the apartment’s owner and the CEO of Archetypal Limited, tells Pendulum Magazine.
Since the living room area already enjoys natural light from the large windows, only ambient and spotlights are used over the sofa area for evenings when one desires to work or read in the living room.
In deciding the colours and materials to employ, Desmond tapped a few of his friends in the design and architecture industry to guide him on how to pattern a mosaic of varying elements that would work and flow well. Colour rose out as the first touchpoint he landed on. From there, he fused the functionality of the fixtures and furniture while keeping in mind the limited space he had and avoiding overflowing ornaments. “Since we are quite high up in the city and near the famous Victorian Harbour, we get a lot of indirect light reflecting off nearby buildings and the sea. Two colours - named Nippon Paint Divinity and Cocoa Candy - and an antique finished mirror were used in these areas to create a softer glow and various accent colours were incorporated to define the functions of each area. For example, the living and dining areas were dominated by light grey and blue tones, whilst the toilet and master bedroom were defined by various shades of green,” says Desmond.
The bedroom colour palette is dominated by various shades of green, accenting the caramel hues of the furnishings.
The Metropol Wall Lamp by Rakumba casts a soft light to create a relaxing atmosphere in the bedroom.
The work desk sitting on top of the windowsill in the master bedroom offers a corner office view.
Stepping into the master bedroom, the light caramel hues of the inside are accentuated by the white drapes of the panoramic windows drawing in natural light from the outside. The circular bedside table from Bumper Small Ottoman is of a deep-blue marble, topped with a black, matte-finished tray by Blu Dot. The Metropol Wall Lamp by Rakumba on the left side of the room falls in sync with the Dawn To Dusk Table Lamp by Haberdashery on the right side - both cast a light that softens the glare of the sunrays. To take advantage of the breathtaking corner office views, a marble desktop is installed on top of a wooden cabinet and shelf – the perfect office setup for those working from home.
The living area enjoys an abundance of natural and reflected light from outside, thus Desmond utilized different materials and items to soften the lighting inside the living area.
To maximize functionality, the dining table seats 4 people when closed, but is extendable to seat 8.
Exiting from the sleeping quarters, the living space tells a story of openness and functionalism. Desmond drew a lot of references and inspiration from the earthy aesthetics of wabi-sabi design philosophy and the clean lines of European arches, which resulted in the softening of the edges of the home bringing an overall harmonious feeling. The dining table sits four people in its closed form, but when extended, it can sit up to eight people. Race decking installed on the balcony creates a sense of continuity with the interior flooring.
Race decking on the balcony creates a sense of continuity with the flooring used on the interior.
To embody the philosophy of wabi-sabi - which in Richard Powell’s words means a way of life that appreciates and accepts complexity while at the same time values simplicity - marble and ceramic pots of greenery pepper the corners, instilling a sense of peace and celebrating the beauty of nature. In Desmond’s words: “Designing a small space does require a lot more thinking and understanding for your own needs and style. I did a lot of research for this project through my work as a high-end furniture dealer in Hong Kong. I think it is important to keep the space uniform while making sure there is a home and purpose for each item in the space. Home is a manifestation of one's habit. It is important to examine how you live and what works and does not work for you in your current living space prior to the design process. It is only after this examination that one can really incorporate meaningful solutions and ideas in their design.”
Photos courtesy of Archetypal Limited & Desmond Wong
Matthew Burgos doesn’t talk to people. He interviews them and writes their story, carpeting the narratives with poetry. He’s an aspiring journalist, an indie-folk playlist devourer, a self-proclaimed maverick, and a die-hard, 90% dark chocolate glutton.
