In a Bedford location, the nostalgic homage of an architect to Old Hong Kong

In a Bedford location, the nostalgic homage of an architect to Old Hong Kong
When the Longer Group was founded by entrepreneur Carol Chow Pui-Yin in 2012, her focus was on the renovation of old industrial properties. Now it has just presented its first New Build office, One Bedford Place, with an interior design that refers to the legacy of its surroundings in Tai Kok Tsui. And the real estate developer architect has shown this Frank Leung and its design company, above.

The order was to create an unforgettable series of common rooms within the 26-story tower, which was designed by Ben Tse & Associates (overall structure) and Axia Design Associates (facade). “We were very excited to give something expressive,” he says.

Many office environments in Hong Kong are elegant, but generic; Both Leung and Chow wanted a Bedford location to look different. “Carol has always been a big fan of update, which is suitable in Hong Kong,” says Leung. “Tai Kok Tsui is a really colloquial part of Hong Kong. So we started off the street – the hardware stores, shop signs, mosaic tiles.”

In the old style, elevator gates contain in works of art that borrow from Stanley Wong's RedwhiteBlue series. Photo: Han Tang
In the old style, elevator gates contain in works of art that borrow from Stanley Wong's RedwhiteBlue series. Photo: Han Tang
This would hardly be the first project that deals with the local Hong Kong style. The nostalgia trend has been strong for several years, with a new interest in classic design elements such as neon, mosaic tiles and Metal brief boxes. The challenge was to integrate all of these without sliding into pastios.

“Culturally there is a renaissance with films, music and fashion that are proud of Hong Kong,” he says. “But there is a fine line between creating a film set, some Disney-Isque and something that is suitable for contemporary use. It is a question of the degree.”

This is obvious as soon as you enter the lobby. The first thing the visitors will notice is is a staircase that spreads to the first floor from a black marble podium made of gold -colored spots. The same stone is used for the steps that are limited by a contrasting mixture of matt black and warm wooden surfaces. “We wanted it to be dramatic,” says Leung, adding that the selection of black should cause the industrial surroundings of the building.

The Bleung team created in the Hong Kong style installations of vintage briefing boxes. Photo: Han Tang
The Bleung team created in the Hong Kong style installations of vintage briefing boxes. Photo: Han Tang

The stairs anchor a café that is operated in the lobby with a curved black banquet and custom -made chairs made of wood, metal pipes and black leather. From there, visitors can record the other elements inspired by Hong Kong. Copper scaffolding extends over the ceiling, which acts both as lights and as a reference to the many shops cut near metal and at first glance appears like the bamboo scaffold, which will soon expire in the city.

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