A 60-year-old, 1,400 sq. ft. Happy Valley apartment has been transformed into a warm and inviting nest for family gatherings, done by Eva Wong Architects Ltd.
Client Brief
A family of five sought a comprehensive renewal of their home where they had lived for four decades. As professionals in audio technology, the semi-retired couple wanted a home with entertainment capabilities at a professional level. Every weekend, their eldest daughter returns for family dinners, making the dining area a vital gathering point. They also needed ample storage and wider entryways for their retirement years.
Challenges
The layout was narrow and dim, with poor air circulation. As Eva Wong, founder of Eva Wong Architects Ltd., describes it: “Much like the cramped apartment layout featured in Wong Kar-wai’s ‘In the Mood for Love’.” Another challenge was fitting 12 sets of professional-grade acoustic equipment into the living room.
Solutions
The layout was completely reconfigured. The dining room and kitchen were swapped to create a larger dining area and a central communal space filled with natural light – perfect for family meals and quality time together.
Walls were removed to improve circulation and bring in more natural light. Sliding glass doors have created fluid separation, enhancing the sense of openness while maintaining functionality. Previously awkward spaces, such as narrow corridors and irregularly shaped bedrooms, were restructured into more practical and adaptable layouts.
The living room cleverly integrates 12 sets of professional speakers – some hidden in the TV cabinet (specially designed with sound vibration in mind to ensure optimal performance) and others in the false ceiling. “In order to accurately install the speakers and sound systems, we had to learn the specs of each one from the start. But it was very rewarding,” Wong says.
Tips
-
Openness is key to making a home feel comfortable and inviting.
-
In this apartment, speakers have been smartly concealed within the false ceiling to keep the living room visually uncluttered.
-
To optimise acoustic sound quality, good devices alone are not enough. The designer deployed double-glazing for balcony doors to maximise soundproofing.
Eva Wong Architects Ltd.
Website: http://www.evawongarchitects.com/
Tel:+852 2572 8402
WhatsApp: +852 6288 9188
Address: 16/F, Amber Commercial Building, 70-74 Morrison Hill Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
