Hong Kong-based studio OneByNine has recently completed the interior design of this 344 square foot, Space Invader-themed apartment in Hong Kong.
Invader Apartment in Hong Kong by OneByNine:
“In Hong Kong, where space is at a premium, the OnebyNine studio architects took on the challenging brief to help design a limited 32 square meter apartment. Lukasz Wawrzenczyk and Ewa Koter; architects originally from Poland but now working in Hong Kong, were tasked with integrating standard European program without compromising comfort of living as a main design approach.
The original layout consisted of multiple rooms which created an enclosed feeling within an apartment sized 2.75m x 12m. Many of the existing partitions were removed to create a more continuous space, leaving only the main structural walls to break the space up thus creating a constant circulation around the apartment. The apartment was transformed into two main clearly defined program spaces; living space connecting directly with the bedroom and bathroom and kitchen space connecting directly with the terrace area.
By minimizing the space required in the bedroom the architects created the feeling of a more open living space, with a program for reading, dining, watching and resting. This was orientated to expose the living room program to focus on the stunning Hong Kong Skyline located in the neighborhood of New Kowloon Cultural District Development.
The limited size of the kitchen and bathroom were even more challenging to design as comfortable and functional spaces. The idea was to create efficient spaces in a very limited 2.75m width apartment. The approach for creating these spaces was to share the kitchen program with the circulation corridor. This created the possibility to enlarge the bathroom space and fit a European size shower room, toilet, and sink. To achieve a perception of larger spaces, the architects proposed window connections with the terrace to increase daylight to the kitchen and bathroom. The shower room, with a frosted window, provides light to the bathroom throughout the day and at nighttime become a source of light for roof area which has been converted into a garden terrace. As a quirky linking element, the architects proposed several mosaic designs in the form of the classic ‘Space Raiders’ computer game characters. These accents appear in several of the rooms.
On the converted terrace garden tropical plants, bamboo and palms create a relaxing and private space equipped with a BBQ area.
With a particular attention to detail, maximizing of space and daylight whilst not compromising on quality, architects OneByNine have completely rebuilt and redefined the new use of space in accordance with the European client’s needs.”
Photos courtesy of OneByNine
