Introduction
Thesis Statement
Research
Site Analysis
Concept
Development
Final Design:
1/F 2/F
3/F Apt
Epilogue
Introduction
Thesis Statement
Research
Site Analysis
Concept
Development
Final Design:
1/F 2/F
3/F Apt
Epilogue
Initial conceptual planning stage
Amenities:
Lounge
Bike storage
Vending machine
Game room
Gym
Library
Community kitchen
Community dinning
Indoor Playground
Yoga room
1/F
The initial plan of the ground floor mimics traditional apartment lobbies, a large open space immediate upon entry, the space is meant to be large and open, allowing instant preview of the entire space.
It is uncommon for apartment buildings in Hong Kong so offer vending machines as part of the amenities, one is included for convenience and comfort of the residents.
Lounge area offers a space of rest and gathering, acting as a waiting/transient space.
Bike storage is provided to encourage biking as a form of exercise amongst the residents, which is quiet common in Hong Kong.
2/F
The second floor includes a game room and a gym, amenities typically included in high-end apartment buildings, but not public housing. Hence the decision to include it as part of the programming, as to break the traditional mold of government housing and elevate the living experience.
While each district in Hong Kong has their own library, Sham Shui Po included, a smaller one is provided exclusively for the residents of the building.
A small lounge is placed on this floor, as well as every other floor, in the common area, as a place for residents to rest, gather and lounge.
3/F
The original planning of the space involved a large office dedicated to the building committee, and holds files of the building, as well as a conference room, but after consideration, the office is sized down to accommodate a community dinning area and kitchen.
Given the extreme heat and humidity of Hong Kong, as well as the neighborhoods high noise volume, an indoor park is created as a more comfortable alternative for the residents, allowing activities away from the weather. In case of extreme weathers, children are encouraged to play in the indoor park, whilst parents can watch in the lounge area adjacent to the park.
Residential/F
It must first be noted, that a lounge area in a residential floor is rather uncommon in Hong Kong, it is common practice to maximize living space, less in favor of common spaces. However, this greatly reduces the opportunity for residences meeting each other in passing - the opposite of what the project is aiming for.
A larger portion of the floor plan is dedicated to a common area on each floor - a smaller space for residences on each floor to come together and connect. Residences are places on the two ends of the plan, sandwiching the common area that immediately adjacent to the elevator, and provides direct access to the two fire escape staircases on the plan.
Note that while the placement of the residences take up an L shape formation, these will later change, sketches here depict an early developmental stage of the design.
Depending on the apartment size, each floor will house 4-6 units, 1-2 people each. A specific issue that arose from the site is that while half of the apartments will enjoy balcony space and direct sunlight, the other half does not, and is directly facing the back alleys of the buildings within the block, it benefits from a tiny amount of sunlight in the morning, with little to no view.
Currently, as of 2023, a single floor structure is situated on the right side of the building, leaving the right facade exposed, with an opportunity for windows. However, due to possible future development, a mid to high-rise building may be built, hence making windows unideal as it may end up being blocked - another point being that since the apartments are to be pre-fabricated, variations in floorplan is not ideal, adding windows on one side entails possible loosing wall space.
Subdivided flats are often characterized by their tight living spaces, clutter, poor air quality, and dim lighting. The typical ceiling height of 8’2” ceiling height creates a sense of suffocation within the small space, creating pockets of dead air of which air cannot circulate properly, and is overall dimmer since sunlight does not permeate deep into the space; hence the design solution of raising the ceiling height by 3’3”, creating a significantly higher visual height, since elements are not separated by walls and do not reach the ceiling, this creates better airflow, as well as daylighting.
The raised ceiling height also creates an opportunity for an attic storage, providing flexibility with objects, and reducing unwanted clutter, items such as out-of-season clothes, decor, books etc can be stored without being within the living area, rejecting the cluttered characteristic of subdivided flats. The storage itself is accessible via a collapsible attic access ladder, which pulls down onto the corridor and can be accessed anytime.
Apartments are the same dimensions, and are modular in nature, allowing elements such as the kitchen and closet to be fabricated off site and install on site, significantly lowering construction time, cost and labor.
Elements such as the dinning table and the Murphy bed are designed to adapt to the users needs, and can be deployed when needed, and stowed away when not needed. Careful consideration and care is given to ensure that elements do not impede on each other, and can function in different usages of the same space.