Natural, sustainable materials and a muted palette turn Hong Kong apartment into a calm, uncluttered sanctuary
- A family of four’s 1,520 sq ft flat on Old Peak Road was transformed using biophilic design principles that connect people with nature within built environments
- Clever storage solutions cater to all family members, including a concealed bar fridge near the entrance and a recessed kitchen tray that holds a rice cooker
Never underestimate the power of a search engine. For Kristina Kang, it was life-changing. In late 2019 she and her husband bought a flat on Old Peak Road that needed overhauling, but they didn’t know where to start. “I just went online and googled: ‘sustainable, eco-friendly interior design, Hong Kong’ and Liquid Interiors came up,” she says.
Drawn to what she saw on the firm’s website, Kang, who works in the sustainability sector, contacted Rowena Gonzales, Liquid Interiors’ principal and founder. She was impressed with Gonzales’ holistic approach to design, and the way wellness and environmental concerns were fundamental to the practice.
Kang wanted a peaceful, practical, family-friendly residence, but found it difficult to articulate how it should look.
“It’s our first home renovation and I knew we needed a designer, but I had no clue what I wanted in terms of design,” she admits. An essential requirement was the ability to work from home, and keep an eye on her two young children at the same time.
Once briefed, Gonzales proposed the concept of “terra”, based on biophilic design principles that connect people with nature within built environments. Her colleague, Polina Volkonskaya, a WELL AP (accredited professional) trained in human health in buildings, executed the project, using eco and natural materials such as FSC timber and plywood, low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint and circadian and low-energy lighting throughout the 1,520 sq ft (141 sq m), three-bedroom flat.
The result of the 10-month renovation is a calm, uncluttered sanctuary of earthy materials, neutral colours, tactile surfaces, quiet corners, sheer curtains, potted plants and free-flowing spaces that take advantage of natural light and the open, green views. An arched entrance provides an early clue that soft lines and rounded corners prevail, as much to avoid sharp edges that might pose a danger to the children as to convey a gentle, welcoming home.
