Archives

the library

as a curated library of vast automotive treasures, it is designed with the intent of strengthening the thread that cultivates the avid spirit for driving. fuelled with endless motion and the purest exhilaration, this place introduces an aura of stillness. capturing moments of excitement within a split second and honouring it in all its glory.

home to priceless cars and memorabilia, we aim to celebrate its air of history and unfold the fruitful narrative within. this notion has formed the backbone of our design approach and has allowed us to communicate the beauty of automotive design into the details of the space. inspired by the mechanical nature of cars, we have opted to engineer the space with mobility design in mind. each component and part that has been fittingly integrated within, can be easily assembled and disassembled to the user’s whim. deriving an unparalleled level of modularity, while maintaining an exquisite fit and finish.

our vision was to package this without losing the level of immersion we were seeking for. so we ventured out and experimented with materiality to craft a hall of infinite reflections, utilising polished stainless steel panels to create a visual journey that seamlessly plays with light and forms. exemplary of our attention to detail, we proceeded to recognise what is fundamental to the essence of a car. with cabinetry handles inspired by the ones adorned on a zagato and lounge chairs that pay homage to the ferrari dino, our design creates a platform to preserve the beauty of the past and celebrate the emotions of the future.

uncle ming’s

steeped in the spirit of the city, a space that creates a dialogue with the surrounding architecture through a geometric language laying the foundation of a spectacular cityscape. like a house of light suspended in the sky, uncle ming’s guides people towards its trove of fine whiskies, taking guests on a journey of discovery as they unbox the treasures within.

formed by simple, rectilinear shapes and realised through soulful materials, the den unfolds as an enigmatic cubic volume. light is refracted by rippled glass, detailing the walls with shadows and slow, orderly movements that exalt into a quiet allure. minimal yet sumptuous, the spatial experience encapsulates the essence of the city’s polarity.

craftsmanship is celebrated through raw, tactile executions of the brand identity, and a logotype that is a typographical expression of joinery – a hallway between an architectural drawing and a mysterious signature. above the dusky skyline, amidst a luscious bouquet of oak and smoke, spirited conversations and aromatic encounters await.

mother pearl

when sipping bubble tea, the spring-loaded pearls of tapioca instantly demands our attention. confronted by the unapologetic chew of the pearls, we unconsciously transcend into a state of unexpected satisfaction.

a pioneering advocate for healthy teahouses in hong kong, mother pearl encapsulates the deeply immersive bubble tea drinking experience through its magical concoctions. serving as a vessel for the sensations that emerge from sipping bubble tea, the negative space in its icon evolves with seasonal and flavour changes.

from the cloud of pearl-shaped lights floating above, to the dark olive green facade that opens a portal to a mystical universe, mother pearl expresses dimension through its organic materiality, drawing the consumer deeper into the sweetness of the present.

the rambler

named after goodman interlink’s unique and strategic location in the rambler channel, the rambler is a new take on café design, offering a refreshing space for customers, their workers and their guests to meet, socialise and recharge.

the selection of natural elements is a stark contrast to the industrial building the café resides in. a warm palette of materials interspersed throughout with timber wrapped around to nourish the soul and breathe life into the space – echoing the feel of a haven across day and night. the use of blue hues through a gradient of hand-glazed ceramic tiles reflects the lull of water and washes over with an air of contemplation.

singapore penthouse

a house in the sky amongst concrete skyscrapers and lush greenery, this penthouse sits in harmony with its surroundings like a treehouse. having studied the personalities and routines of the family of four, we created private and social spaces accordingly. the existing architecture of the apartment provided a platform on the upper floor that serves as a protective canopy for the social space below, and to highlight this characteristic, the upper floor is wrapped in warm timber strips to evoke the nestled, elevated feeling of a treehouse.

different levels of privacy are created through the flexible windows and shutters, which can be opened or closed to expose or conceal the space. to reflect the more dynamic purpose of the ground floor living and dining room spaces, transparent materials and a lighter palette are used, and the entire glass façade can be opened up to the terrace, blending indoor and outdoor living.

with the main living area naturally lit through expansive windows, most of the lighting efforts are decorative or uplights used on landscape and wooden trellises.

 

marketing suite

containers are multifaceted; a strong symbol of a logistics company and a celebrator of sustainable architecture. its modular construct naturally allowed us to use 4 containers to create 6 different spaces as a marketing suite, with the flexibility to adapt to an evolving site. we maximised the opportunity to have extensive glass openings, which allows potential clients to have an overview of the surrounds. the layering of timber and glass softens the features of an inherently industrial product, establishing harmony amongst nature whilst bringing in light and tropical backdrops into the space. at the end, the build can be collapsed and transported, leaving minimal imprint on the original landscape.

fukuro

after a long day of work, wearied salarymen of tokyo trail back to the comforting glow of izakayas, where they take refuge and unwind with food, drinks and uninhibited conversations. echoing these nocturnal waterholes, fukuro embodies a mystical ambience, whilst exuding a warmth that sparks spirited interactions between visitors. as a messenger of the night and a protector from hardship in japanese symbolism, the owl icon manifests the outlet’s identity. the profusion of wood crafted by simple carpentry oozes an intimate and relaxed atmosphere for visitors to indulge in a spin on a quintessential japanese experience.

origin shangri la

a station is the crossroads of millions of lives that intersect and pass within seconds, a point of convergence harbouring exchanges and ruminations; beginnings and endings. located in the original outlet of shangri-la in singapore, origin epitomises the hotel’s legacy, and honours south east asian produce. the existing arches carved into the space reminisced of station platforms and presented a befitting structure for execution. as diners travel through the bar, main dining, and private dining areas, they are taken on an evocative journey from the ticket counter, grand hall, platform, and finally to the intimate carriage. the curvatures mirrored in the interior and campaign furniture, in combination with the kinetics sculpture at the bar, guide visitors through a rhythm of travel.

the fleming

we were tasked to redesign and rebrand the fleming hotel, originally opened in 2006. a new take on the architecture, interior, products, and identity transformed the fleming into a 66-room boutique hotel that is a true reflection of hong kong. occupying a building from the 70s’, the hotel stands in wan chai close to victoria harbour front. the multilayered design concept draws inspiration from the location and history, leveraging Hong Kong’s maritime heritage and 70s’ industrial era to create a cultural, social and efficient character. one landmark that embodies these three elements is the star ferry — having connected people across the harbour for over a century, it is a piece of hong kong’s collective memory and identity. the star ferry, a unique and elegant icon of Hong Kong’s past and present, became the foundation for every design detail, including the custom designed furniture and lighting. nostalgia is further evoked by colours and scents: Carmine reds and bottle greens — hues seen on the hull of Hong Kong’s ferries, fishing boats, delivery trucks, and temples —and apothecary-inspired toiletries and custom aroma of sandalwood and amber notes, to deliver an authentic sense of place.

photographs by: dennis lo & judy chen

 

 

ebisoba ichigen

ebisoba ichigen has achieved cult status amongst japan’s most discerning ramen aficionados – the secret to its success has been the pairing of ramen with a shrimp based broth for an innovative twist to an old and popular recipe. for its first hong kong location, we designed a space that reveals the power of the flavour by using colors that reflect the ingredient, resulting in the bold and instantly recognisable ebisoba red. reminiscent of the ribbed and curved shell of a shrimp, a sculptural canopy made up of individual pine strips runs from the street to the kitchen, paying tribute to the food while adding a touch of quirkiness to ship street.