This Ap Lei Chau Abode Fully Embraces the Essence of Coastal Living
Immaculately redesigned, this remarkable home, initially conceived as a showroom, has undergone a meticulous transformation to harmoniously embrace the essence of coastal living.
To truly be able to enjoy the magnificent sea views from the comfort of their own home, it was important the space layout complemented the coastal landscape. Nestled within Ap Lei Chau’s Marina South, this unit spans 1,700 square feet and was once a showroom originally conceived by the developer for discerning buyers to dream of what could be. Now transformed, it presents an awe-inspiring vista of the deep bay and boasts a generous terrace spanning 600 square feet.
The homeowners are a retired couple and their daughter. Having worked with Eva Wong Architectsbefore, the couple had a high level of trust in Wong's professional expertise. In fact, she went to the extent of accompanying them on property tours while they were still contemplating the purchase of this unit.
While the home is wide and spacious, the way it was originally designed didn’t bring in enough natural light in certain areas. Therefore, the spatial layout had to be modified, taking away unnecessary corridors to create a more cohesive flow that connected the entire space.
Through Wong's careful transformation, the corridors have been completely removed, resulting in an effortless connection between different sections of the house. The design team also took into consideration the homeowners' future as senior citizens and incorporated an obstacle-free design throughout the entire house, making sure there are no steps of varying heights.
The unit’s living room and bedrooms are connected to outdoor terraces, and to prevent mosquitoes and insects from flying inside, mosquito screens have been installed in each area. The screen in the living room area is five metres long.
"Considering how close it is to the sea, its humidity levels are quite high,” Wong adds. “Taking these humidity and hygiene issues into consideration, the entire house is furnished with anti-mould wallpaper, antibacterial laminated panels, synthetic leather, fingerprint-resistant stainless steel as well as mould and water-proof fabrics to prevent bacterial growth, while also catering to the homeowners’ dust allergy."
The kitchen door and dining room walls are made of special antibacterial glass, ensuring cleanliness and hygiene. The glass also possesses a reflective quality that gives the whole room a bright and luminous ambiance.
Wong and her team demonstrated great attention to detail in their selection of materials. They adorned the walls and countertops with champagne gold steel strips, infusing a subtle touch of luxury into the space.
The centrepiece of the dining area is the dining table, procured from Casa Modernism, which captivates attention with its sculptural pedestal design. Accompanying the table are vintage dining chairs that have faithfully served the homeowner for numerous years, but have been reupholstered with fresh fabric.
The mahjong table at the entrance also has a story. The table had seen numerous years of use in its previous home and was initially slated for disposal by the homeowner. It was Wong who saw its potential and proposed keeping it. She proceeded to pair the table with a wall mirror crafted from a transformed picture frame and a console table, resulting in the creation of a tastefully designed entrance area.
A thoughtful and meticulous design is often seen in the details. The master bedroom adopts an open layout with two interconnected master suites, allowing the homeowners to occupy separate spaces while maintaining a cohesive environment.
The two rooms are divided by electric curtains and sliding doors, which can be opened during regular days to create a unified space. However, when privacy or soundproofing is desired at night, the sliding doors and curtains can be closed, allowing each room to function independently.
To add convenience to everyday life, the entire house is equipped with a smart home system. The bathrooms are furnished with TOTO intelligent toilets, Ritmonio taps, and Kohler bathtubs.
For the lighting fixtures, the homeowner has carefully selected products from Artemide, Catellani&Smith, and Delta Light. The door handles and knobs were sourced from Kawajun and Olivari, while the outlets are by GIRA.
Photo credit：Eva Wong Architects Ltd