Minimalist, open-plan, perfect for cats: a Hong Kong home with bespoke feline furniture and hidden storage space
- A couple’s three ‘fur babies’ were taken into consideration when it came to renovating their 800 sq ft Sham Tseng flat, in Tsuen Wan in the New Territories
- The result is a minimal, open-plan interior with Japanese-style decor – and cat-friendly overhead runways, a climbing frame and scratch-proof flooring
A kindergarten might not ordinarily spring to mind when designing a home for a couple without children.
Nevertheless, the three “fur babies” of David Yu and Amy Chan were prime considerations when planning the renovation of their 800 sq ft (74 square metre) Sham Tseng flat, in Tsuen Wan in the New Territories. And Alvin Cheng Ka Heng, creative director at MAD Studio, saw behavioural similarities between energetic preschoolers and frisky felines.
“We design a lot of projects for kindergartens and playgroups and, thinking about how kids have fun, we realised it’s the same for cats,” says Cheng. “Both enjoy climbing and exploring, often opting for inventive and unexpected spots to rest.”
Ergo, he adds, this assignment was “more purposeful than just designing a house with everything nicely decorated”.
Chan favoured a clutter-free Japanese aesthetic, and Yu smart-home functionality. Cheng’s suggestions to accommodate both resulted in a minimal, open-plan interior with abundant storage solutions.
Although the original two-bedroom, two-bathroom layout remained largely unaltered, the removal of several walls changed the flow entirely.
