When a nomadic, creative couple picks a raw, defunct warehouse amid the manic industrial vibes of southern Hong Kong as their home, you know that you’re in for some major #homeenvy.
Conceptualised and realised by Vincent Lim and Elaine Lu of award-winning design studio Lim + Lu, the 2,600 sqft warehouse looks nothing like its former self (read: very shabby), having been transformed into a spacious and flexible family home that doubles as a workshop space for not only the painting and cooking classes which the highly social couple teaches, but also the dinner parties that they frequently host.
The modern décor of the apartment, which is concealed – almost like treasure – behind the original door of the warehouse (it was intentionally left untouched, if you must know), is largely inspired by New York, the city that left the deepest impression on the couple who spent time in the Big Apple before moving to Hong Kong. And if there are any designers who know New York, it’s Lim and Lu, who co-founded their eponymous studio while living in Manhattan.
“When inside the space, without looking out the windows, one is transported to a loft in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. When you look out, you are immediately connected to Hong Kong.”
“We design with the context in mind; being mindful of the surroundings as well as the inhabitants,” Lim points out. “In this instance, we were working with a space neighbouring many industrial complexes for a client who had a deep connection with New York. We saw this at the perfect opportunity to harmonise western and eastern cultures.”
“We borrowed elements from those industrial surroundings and intertwined them with the idea of a loft in New York. When inside the space, without looking out the windows, one is transported to a loft in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. When you look out, you are immediately connected to Hong Kong,” Lu adds.
Lim and Lu’s first and biggest challenge was to plan – strategically – the layout of the apartment, which, at the beginning, had no divisions, bathrooms or even a kitchen. Then came the question of how to distribute natural light, as the former warehouse had windows only on one side.
The pair’s ingenious solution came in the form of handsome, black steel doors that slide together or apart to easily divide or connect the living and workshop spaces. And because a handful feature top halves made from glass, that allowed natural light to pass through the bedroom and master bathroom more effectively – just like a loft in New York.
What a gem.
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
Sub-Zero and Wolf’s prestigious Kitchen Design Contest (KDC) has celebrated the very best in kitchen innovation and aesthetics for three decades now. Recognising premier kitchen design professionals from around the globe, the KDC facilitates innovation, style and functionality that pushes boundaries.
Savage Design’s approach to understanding the relationship between design concepts and user experience, particularly with metalwork, transcends traditional boundaries, blending timeless craftsmanship with digital innovation to create enduring elegance in objects, furnishings, and door furniture.
In the pursuit of an uplifting synergy between the inner world and the surrounding environment, internationally acclaimed Interior Architect and Designer Lorena Gaxiola transform the vibration of the auspicious number ‘8’ into mesmerising artistry alongside the Feltex design team, brought to you by GH Commercial.
Gray Puksand’s construction-focused facility at TAFE NSW responds to the critical need for a resilient Australian construction industry.
In our series spotlighting aficionados across the design industry, we spoke with Alexandra Guglielmino, who leads the Art Advisory team at Bluethumb Art Gallery.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
An outstanding line-up of participants will contribute to a beautifully curated exhibition in Thailand that delves deep into the collective thinking of architecture in our region and helps set a progressive agenda for the future of design.
Art, design, architecture and hospitality all combine perfectly at The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne by BAR Studio and Cottee Parker.