A James Bond-like space for vintage cars: how a Hong Kong ‘library’ of motors and memorabilia was inspired by the ’50s
- Maxime Dautresme, founder of design studio A Work of Substance, helped one Hong Kong car lover create a dedicated space for his vintage autos and memorabilia
- Allusions to cars are present in almost every detail, from side tables that resemble spark plugs to seating inspired by iconic designs in automotive upholstery
A library, by definition, is a carefully curated collection of valuables, evoking a sense of wonderment and interest, says Maxime Dautresme, founder and creative director of design studio A Work of Substance. So when a client approached him wanting to create a repository for his vintage cars and automotive memorabilia, Hong Kong’s first car library was born.
“This isn’t a car park or a garage but a private place to display and entertain – a showcase of some of the world’s finest automobiles and the historical pedigree that accompanies them,” says Dautresme.
Situated in Wan Chai, the combined 6,120 sq ft (570 square metre) space comprises a street-level entrance and The Library (as named by A Work of Substance) several floors above.
As well as an abundance of automotive references, the project’s concept was based on a design approach from the 1950s – an era in which function defined form. The use of high-quality materials – leather, teak and oak among them – and customised furniture injects The Library with the comfort and warmth of a luxurious living room but its genius lies in the fact that the entire fit-out can be dismantled with a few tools and moved elsewhere.
“The outcome of automotive design is an expression of its functionality. Similarly, every aspect of this project’s design is purposeful and enhanced through modularity, which celebrates mechanics and structure – attributes driven by function rather than form,” says Dautresme.
Setting the scene is the entrance, which wouldn’t look out of place in a James Bond film. With no air conditioning system on this level, two enormous, low-speed ceiling fans circulate the air while a pair of gleaming double lifts, surrounded by corrugated concrete, transport the cars to and from the main floor.
