HOUSE IN HONG KONG
A House Immersed in the Forest: Minimal Design and Natural Light
Located in Sai Kung, one of Hong Kong’s greenest and most picturesque areas, overlooking the sea, this three-storey house was conceived as a contemporary retreat immersed in nature—far from the pace of the metropolis, yet closely connected to the daily life of the family who lives there.
The renovation redefines the interior spaces through an essential architectural language characterized by clean lines, strong contrasts, and a continuous dialogue between indoors and outdoors. Natural light flows throughout the house thanks to expansive glazing that frames the surrounding landscape, transforming the forest into an integral part of the living experience.
Year: 2022
Location: Hong Kong
Area: 185 mq
Photography: Studio Coltro
Location: Hong Kong
Area: 185 mq
Photography: Studio Coltro
The Black Staircase: A Sculptural Feature and the Heart of the House
The focal point of the project is a striking black resin staircase that runs vertically through the entire house along one side of the building. The walls, ceilings, and floors surrounding the staircase are finished in the same dark tone, creating a powerful contrast with the bright white palette of the remaining interiors. This monochromatic treatment transforms the staircase into a distinctive architectural gesture and a sculptural element that defines the identity of the house.
The Kitchen as a Vantage Point Over the Landscape
The large windows above the kitchen worktop become living frames, capturing and showcasing the surrounding forest. Natural light and ever-changing views accompany everyday activities, transforming a functional space into a contemplative environment that is deeply connected to the landscape.
Expansive Glazing and a Dialogue with the Forest
Large glazed openings on every level of the house allow nature to become an integral part of the interior experience, establishing a continuous visual connection with the surrounding forest. Each room enjoys unique views of the landscape and an abundance of natural light, enhancing the sense of openness, tranquillity, and well-being throughout the home.
Minimalism, Light, and Chromatic Contrasts
The interiors are defined by a minimalist design language, characterized by clean lines, carefully curated furnishings, and predominantly white surfaces. Select colourful details and accessories introduce vibrant accents that bring personality to the spaces while preserving their overall balance, refinement, and formal restraint.
Illuminated Details and Contemporary Identity
The staircase handrail incorporates a continuous red LED strip that traces the vertical circulation of the house, becoming a distinctive graphic element within the interior. Emerging against the black surface of the surrounding wall, the red light accentuates the contemporary character of the space while adding a dramatic and highly evocative visual dimension.
The Master Suite Surrounded by Greenery
Located on the second floor, the master suite is designed to maintain a direct connection with the surrounding forest through expansive floor-to-ceiling glazing. The walk-in wardrobe and study area continue the interplay of black and white that defines the project, creating an atmosphere that is elegant, understated, and deeply relaxing.
Children’s Bedroom Between Nature and Design
Clean lines, black-and-white contrasts, and a striking view over the forest define a youthful, contemporary space. The headboard wall, clad in oak and continuing seamlessly from the flooring, wraps the room in a warm, tactile materiality, creating a refined dialogue between the interior and the surrounding landscape.
Open Spaces and Indoor–Outdoor Continuity
On the ground floor, the kitchen and dining area open directly onto a large outdoor decked patio through expansive sliding glass doors. The outdoor space is designed for conviviality—welcoming friends and enabling moments of relaxation immersed in nature—seamlessly extending the living area outward in a fluid and natural transition.
The Panoramic Roof
The staircase leads up to the roof as a privileged pathway toward the landscape, culminating in a terrace suspended between architecture and nature. Here, the view over the forest takes centre stage, while the rooftop is divided into two contrasting areas—one black and one white—that interact with each other, creating a refined balance of opposites and atmospheres.
Every project tells a story…
The protagonists of this story
The Owners
An Italian family of four, together with their inseparable dog Jonny: he is an entrepreneur, she is a veterinarian, and they have two teenage children. After many years spent in central Hong Kong, immersed in the density and dynamism of the city, their desire was to find a more intimate home surrounded by nature—one capable of offering a slower, more authentic quality of life for the entire family.Main requirements:
- To create a strong connection between the house and nature;
- To enhance natural light and views over the forest;
- To design minimal, bright, and contemporary interiors;
- To include convivial spaces for family life and guests;
- To achieve a welcoming yet essential home;
- To maintain a strong and recognisable architectural identity.
The House
he original home, located in the resort area of Sai Kung on the edge of the forest just outside the metropolis of Hong Kong, enjoyed a privileged position immersed in greenery. However, it featured a fragmented internal layout that failed to fully take advantage of its natural surroundings.The finishes and overall condition of the property were also outdated and no longer suited to the quality of the spaces and the surrounding landscape.
The Bespoke Project
The project transforms the house into a contemporary retreat immersed in nature, where light, landscape, and architecture are in constant dialogue.
The internal layout has been reimagined to create fluid, light-filled spaces that naturally support the daily life of the family while strengthening the continuous relationship with the surrounding forest.
The black staircase becomes the compositional core of the entire house, establishing a strong contrast with the dominant white interiors. This architectural element extends through all levels of the home, becoming a distinctive feature that gives identity and character to the spaces.
Large glazed openings enhance the sense of openness toward the exterior, allowing nature to enter visually into every room and creating ever-changing atmospheres throughout the day.
Minimal interiors, defined by essential furnishings and understated materials, leave space for light and landscape, becoming an integral part of the living experience.
The large outdoor decked patio further extends the usability of the house and reinforces the seamless relationship between indoors and outdoors.
The house thus becomes a quiet and welcoming place where contact with nature accompanies every moment of daily life, offering the family a perfect balance between contemporary living and everyday well-being.
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