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Peta Tomlinson

What could be more comforting for a frequent-flying couple with a love of Japanese design than a Zen-inspired pied-à-terre in Hong Kong?
Interior architecture company In Situ & Partners met that brief in a 2,000 sq ft Mid-Levels apartment commanding open views to the harbour on one side, and the city on another.
With a serene outlook setting the scene, and the ability to create a new layout, the design team set about masterfully meeting the owners’ specific requirements.
“We gutted the whole apartment, except for structural elements, and started with a bare concrete shell,” says Yacine Bensalem, the principal of In Situ & Partners.
As a home for just two people, there was no need for the original four bedrooms, two bathrooms and helper’s quarters. However, the ability to move walls meant rooms could be reconfigured for other purposes important to the couple, including a traditional tatami room, a tea pantry and an onsen.

Following a “less is more” approach requested by the couple, for whom privacy was paramount, In Situ’s team proposed a theme of clean lines, natural materials and a neutral colour palette. To conceal, or avoid, anything that interrupted the streamlined aesthetic, necessities such as door handles and light switches were integrated into walls panelled in light oak joinery.
Bensalem credits project director Gloria Lui with the idea for the ceiling, which is sculpted as if “folded like origami”. Its plastered angles conceal air-conditioning ducts, lighting and beams for an uber-minimalist aesthetic while retaining maximum ceiling height.
Japanese lighting designer Koichi Tanaka, of Lightlinks, was engaged to create a meditative ambience
“The Japanese approach to lighting is poetic – dark and subdued for the evening, and brighter during the day,” says Bensalem. In this apartment, the concealed light sources within the ceiling give out a “barely there” glow in harmonious dialogue with the twinkling city lights.
In the new open floor plan, a tatami room one step up from the living area is enjoyed by the couple for tea ceremonies. It features a modified horigotatsu recessed beneath the table for the legs of those seated on low chairs, and an adjacent tea pantry for storing essential utensils.

And though you’d never know it was there, an 85-inch television, together with audiovisual equipment, is discreetly concealed behind refined oak joinery.
Also open to the living area is a multipurpose studio with a communal desk, allowing two to work side by side, inclosable when required by a sliding glass and wood screen. Used for wellness treatments as well, the studio accommodates a fold-up massage table concealed within the cabinetry, and access to a former’s helper’s bathroom turned powder room.
Space from the helper’s quarters was used to enlarge the kitchen, its new cabinetry in grey matte lacquer finish with polar white TechniStone countertops aligning with the apartment’s understated style.

Courtesy of a redundant bedroom, there is now a large fitted dressing room opposite a smaller dressing room. The sole bedroom is a work of art, sumptuously appointed in silk and leather with a bespoke mural by Hong Kong-based Elsa Jeandedieu, and an en suite lined in cedar and stone around a custom-made hinoki wood tub and shower.
For the In Situ team, the most satisfying element of this project, completed earlier this year, was giving traditional concepts a contemporary twist.
“I love the elegant rigour of the interiors, grounded in simplicity and a strong connection to nature, where each element is perfectly integrated into the environment to maintain the home’s aesthetic harmony,” says Bensalem.
Living room and tea room
Nacre low table in glass with mirrored base, from Glas Italia (glasitalia.com/en). Carl Hansen & Søn CH25 Armchairs, from Bredaquaranta (bredaquaranta.it). Louisiana side table, from Stellar Works (stellarworks.com). Custom-made rug in Zen garden raked-sand concept, from Tai Ping Carpets (taipingcarpets.com). Tea room table hand crafted in Japan by Itakura (2.itakurawood.com). AGILE Zaisu tea room chairs, from HIRASHIMA (k-hirashima.jp). Tatami floor custom-made in Japan by Bartok Design (bartokdesign.com).
Oak wall panelling, timber flooring and custom-made cabinet by Sigma Contracting (11/F, Thriving Industrial Centre, 26 Sha Tsui Road, Tsuen Wan, tel: 3904 3101). Ceiling designed by In Situ & Partners (insituandpartners.com). Electric curtain, from Nicedrape Solar Protection System (Block I, 28/F, Shield Industrial Centre, 84 Chai Wan Kok Street, Tsuen Wan, tel: 2413 3119). Lighting design by Koichi Tanaka, Lightlinks International (lightlinksltd.com).

Office
Custom-made desk and cabinets, by Sigma Contracting. Viola small armchairs, from Poltrona Frau (poltronafrau.com). QIN SONG (CHIN SUNG, 1932-2007) artwork, Untitled, 1968, from Bonhams New York (bonhams.com). Oak flooring throughout the apartment, from Wonderfloor International (271 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, tel: 9762 2189).
Bedroom
Chinese ink painting-inspired Japanese nature landscape by Elsa Jeandedieu Studio (elsajeandedieu.com) on Shantung Silk Cream Wallpaper from Altfield Interiors (altfield.com.hk). Upholstered headboard and leather-topped side tables, by Sigma Contracting. Sconces from Ricardo Lighting (www.ricardolight.com).

En suite
Hinoki tub custom made by Bartok Design. Walls lined with Italian Ceppo di Gre stone with Leather Brush finish, cut in panels to match the ceiling planks, supplied by Sigma Contracting. Ceiling lined with hinoki wood, from Bartok. Vola bathroom fixtures, from E. Bon (ebon.com.hk).
Dining room
Cocoon calacatta marble and wooden table, from CPRN Homood (cprnhomood.it). Carl Hansen & Søn Wishbone chairs, previously owed by the clients.
Kitchen
Supplied by Kitench Leader (58 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, tel: 2836 0280) with Dornbracht tapware and appliances from Subzero and Gaggenau.


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Architecture and design

This jet-setting couple’s Hong Kong apartment got a Japanese makeover

The living room and tea room of the Japanese-style Mid-Levels, Hong Kong, apartment designed by In Situ & Partners. Photo: Luca Bonnefille

The bedroom landscape was created by Elsa Jeandedieu Studio. Photo: Luca Bonnefille

The dining room’s Carl Hansen & Søn Wishbone chairs are from the clients’ previous home. Photo: Luca Bonnefille

The kitchen was supplied by Kitench Leader. Photo: Luca Bonnefille

The office features a desk and cabinets that were custom made by Sigma Contracting. Photo: Luca Bonnefille

The en suite’s Hinoki tub was custom made by Bartok Design. Photo: Luca Bonnefille

Hong Kong’s design summit is set to thrill with diverse, accessible offerings

Facades on the Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong waterfront illuminated with animations by motion graphics designer Kook Ewo and students from Gobelins School in Paris . Photo: courtesy of Kook Ewo

Design Office Bone Studio’s needle-felt handicrafts inspired by Yau Ma Tei in Hong Kong will be on show. Photo: courtesy of Bone Studio

Geometric sculptures by designer Ban Zhang will be on display at an exhibition in Cheung Sha Wan. Photo: courtesy of Ban Zhang

Willow Chair, an Art Nouveau chair with geometric back by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, will be one of the highlights. Photo: Handout

Nuage Cabinet designed by Charlotte Perriand is inspired by traditional Japanese architecture. Photo: Handout

An artisan works on one of Bone Studio’s Yau Ma Tei-inspired needle-felt handicrafts. Photo: courtesy of Bone Studio

One of the intricate needle-felt handicrafts by Bone Studio. Photo: courtesy of Bone Studio

A Zou Mat-designed folding stool attached to a base that spins and rolls. Photo: courtesy of Zou Mat

An intricate needle-felt artwork inspired by Yau Ma Tei by Bone Studio. Photo: courtesy of Bone Studio

The design secrets of Hong Kong’s private housing estates

A section of Whampoa Garden apartment complex as seen from above in Hong Kong. Photo: Getty Images

Jason Carlow and Christian Lange, co-authors of Cities of Repetition, in Hong Kong. Photo: Michael Kokora

A photographic survey of Hong Kong’s private housing estates in Cities of Repetition. Photo: Cities of Repetition

Residents at Mei Foo Sun Chuen, Hong Kong. Photo: Alexander Mak

A view of the Lai Chi Kok Bridge with Mei Foo Sun Chuen, one of the largest private housing estates in Kowloon, Hong Kong, in the background, taken in 1968. Photo: C.Y. Yu

A view of the residential estate from the ground floor of Mei Foo Sun Chuen, Hong Kong. Photo: Alexander Mak

A photo of Belvedere Garden, in Tsuen Wan, from Cities of Repetition, by Jason Carlow and Christian Lange. Photo: Cities of Repetition

Mei Foo Sun Chuen, Hong Kong’s first large-scale private housing estate. Photo: Alexander Mak

An aerial view of Mei Foo estate, the first large scale private housing estate in Hong Kong. Photo: Shutterstock

Residents enjoy the public areas of Mei Foo Sun Chuen, Hong Kong’s first large-scale private housing estate. Photo: Alexander Mak

A section of the Whampoa Garden apartment complex in Hong Kong, as seen from above. Photo: Getty Images

Cities of Repetition, by Jason Carlow and Christian Lange. Photo: Cities of Repetition

How man caves are becoming personal members’ clubs where you always get in – remember Cribs, with its opulent homes of actors, sportsmen and musicians like 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg?

Man caves are trending and also changing, becoming more sophisticated as designers lean in to give them the air of a members’ club, office or home gym. Photos: Handout

Office-style man cave featuring FrenchCalifornia pieces

Neo Legend x The Smiley Company Hologram 90s Compact arcade game. Photo: Mr Porter

Dune couch by Paulin

Brunello Cucinelli Walnut and Krion backgammon set. Photo: Mr Porter

Vince Chan’s flat in Mid-Levels. Photo: SCMP

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The makeover of a village house on Hong Kong’s idyllic Lamma Island

Interior designer Debi Yeung-Salansy was commissioned to renovate a village house on Lamma Island in Hong Kong. Photo: Eugene Chan

Tenants Allan Byrne and Natalie Hui love their home on Lamma so much, they no longer feel the need to travel. Photo: Eugene Chan

The house is divided into three 700 sq ft flats. Photo: Eugene Chan

The bathrooms are airy and full of natural light. Photo: Eugene Chan

Debi Yeung-Salansy designed a compact but comprehensive kitchen that she would enjoy using herself. The red handles on the cupboards, bought through Taobao, are a custom-made colour. Photo: Eugene Chan

The flat’s living and dining area features reclaimed wood to bring a sense of Bali to the airy space. Photo: Eugene Chan

The bedroom includes pops of colour and custom furnishings. Photo: Eugene Chan

The stairway leading to the rooftop has a lot of storage space. Photo: Eugene Chan

The home’s kitchen corridor features custom Chinese lattice doors and bespoke artwork. Photo: Eugene Chan

The South Korean artist making lamps out of McDonald’s bags

Korean artist Gyuhan Lee in front of an artwork as part of his solo exhibition, “Pop Craft Structure”, at WOAW Gallery in Hong Kong. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

Artist Gyuhan Lee’s background is in furniture design, which shows through in his work. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

Gyuhan Lee’s work, Kitty Paper Trunk. Photo: courtesy of WOAW Gallery

McDonald’s Paper Bag Lighting by Gyuhan Lee. Photo: courtesy of WOAW Gallery

Gyuhan Lee’s solo exhibition “Pop Craft Structure” is on view at WOAW Gallery, Hong Kong. Photo: Jocelyn Tam

Gyuhan Lee’s Day & Night – Hermes Paper Architecture. Photo: courtesy of WOAW Gallery

The show is on view at WOAW Gallery, Hong Kong, till December 16. Photo: courtesy of WOAW Gallery

PostMag

Design & Interiors

The Zen-inspired pied-à-terre, designed by In Situ & Partners, is a minimalist haven with a traditional tatami room, tea pantry and onsen


The Zen-inspired pied-à-terre, designed by In Situ & Partners, is a minimalist haven with a traditional tatami room, tea pantry and onsen.


This jet-setting couple’s Hong Kong apartment got a Japanese makeover

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The Zen-inspired pied-à-terre, designed by In Situ & Partners, is a minimalist haven with a traditional tatami room, tea pantry and onsen

The Zen-inspired pied-à-terre, designed by In Situ & Partners, is a minimalist haven with a traditional tatami room, tea pantry and onsen