Project: Grosvenor Apartment
Architecture: Lim + Lu
Location: Mid-Levels, Hong Kong
Area: 1800 ft2
Year: 2020
Photo Credits: Lit Ma
Lim + Lu, the New York-founded multidisciplinary design practice, announces the transformation of an 1,800 square feet apartment in metropolitan Hong Kong. Grosvenor Apartment aims to allow nature to breathe life into its refreshing redesign, creating a space that revitalizes and relaxes those that call it home. The clients are a Japanese and Australian couple with two children and a love for nature, thus Lim + Lu aimed to create an open space and to incorporate as many natural elements into the design as possible. Neutral colours and finishes allow the many pieces of greenery that decorate the space to shine a vibrant healthy green, blurring the line between the outdoors and the interior. The use of wooden slats and rattan create a richness in texture while keeping a clean aesthetic that adheres to the overall feel.
Located on the first floor of an old building, the view out the window from the Grosvenor apartment is at the tree line. Lim + Lu took advantage of this unique aspect of the space to bring more natural light in and make the overall space feel more expansive by enlarging all the existing small windows into large antique style steel windows. The black wooden blinds and delicate brass details accentuate the feeling of an elegant yet quaint summer home. All together, these elements work in tandem, ensuring the family residing within to live not only in understated luxury, but at one with nature as well.
A challenge that is becoming more prominent in today’s society is that of the home office and how to integrate it into a living space to make it both comfortable yet productive. The clients often worked from home; therefore an effective design for this space was crucial. For Lim + Lu, the idea was to create a tranquil space to think and work, with nature and greenery to energize the scenery without obstructing focus. The tall windows and brass accents do away with the modern interpretation of a study and instead provides an atmosphere that encourages creativity and positive work mentality. An abundance of daylight, neutral colours and wood adorn the room and balance the visual elements together, just as one needs to do between work and relaxation.
The children’s bathroom was designed with the traditional Japanese bathroom in mind, with a deep soaking tub and a separate shower space to be used for relaxation and cleansing. As these kinds of bathrooms are typically wet rooms, an acid-washed granite finishes the surfaces of the space, emphasising a calming meditative atmosphere. As these soaking rooms are deeply tied to the concept of renewal, Lim+Lu hopes to provide that same revitalization of body and spirit to those that use this space.
For the children’s room, the idea was to incorporate a sense of privacy in an open space without the isolation of separate spaces to foster a sense of togetherness. A soft muted green compliments the overall motif of nature, while still providing a sense of energetic youth and vibrance.
To create an open space layout that flows seamlessly between the kitchen, dining, living room, study, and balcony, the original enclosed kitchen was opened up and combined with the living room, transforming this large open area into one for family gatherings whether it is over a meal in the dining room or activities by the couch. All while enjoying the scenery through the large balcony doorway, the view framed by palm trees and greenery to really bring to life the feeling of the perfect summer getaway right at home.
