Family took a ‘leap of faith’ on dilapidated Hong Kong home – now its minimal aesthetic, good lighting and rich colours have given it new life
- Ravaged by mould and full of old-fashioned, built-in furniture, a 1,700 sq ft Pok Fu Lam flat has been reborn as a light and airy contemporary family home
- Walls were moved to make the main bedroom bigger and create space for a small home office and a luxurious en suite with a full bath and shower
There’s no denying the benefits of fresh air, but overexposure to Hong Kong’s subtropical climate isn’t always the best option for a home.
Because the previous occupants of this 1,700 sq ft (158 square metre) Pok Fu Lam flat had kept their windows open almost constantly for 30 years, humidity had damaged the walls, cracked the ceilings, and given mould and mildew free rein to grow.
“The flat was in a dilapidated state,” says Bruce Harwood, British architect, interior designer and founder of BHI Design Studio. “Additionally, its interior hadn’t been updated since the 1990s and was full of old-fashioned, built-in furniture.”
His clients, Maya and Greek-born George Suzuki, who had come across Harwood’s work in Post Magazine, were undeterred by the three-bedroom, two-bathroom flat’s appearance. For them, its pros – beautiful views, a convenient location, high ceilings and a deep balcony – outweighed the ostensible cons.
Together, Harwood and the Suzukis (both of whom work in finance) embarked on a meticulously considered design campaign, taking about three months to study and amend the concept and a further four months for the renovation itself.
They wanted simple, unfussy interiors that would stand the test of time, without too many materials, colours or anything overly trendy.
