The nLDK model is a Japanese layout system defining homes by bedroom, living room, dining area, and kitchen. Its idea of assigning each room a fixed function reflects a spatial logic common in Asian cities. In refurbishing a 700-square-foot flat in Hong Kong, we sought to dissolve these boundaries and create a fluid, interconnected environment. The result is Domestic Promenade – a continuous path where domestic activities naturally unfold along the way.
We restored the original features of the flat and reinterpreted them as three key design elements: the white house, the grey envelope, and the wood wall. Upon entry, one encounters the white walls of the kitchen, preserved in its original location. A slanted wall fitted with patterned glass filters light from the adjacent, newly expanded bathroom, casting a soft glow into the space. Together, these service areas are enclosed within a white volume. Within the pristine interior, black-and-white terrazzo flooring and countertops introduce a visual accent while offering durability and ease of maintenance.
A soft grey ‘furniture wall’ wraps the apartment’s perimeter. It integrates existing windows on three sides, with aluminium frames extending onto the envelope to form unified frames that visually connect the panoramic views. Around the frames, the grey shelf incorporates seating, storage, and surfaces for dining, working, relaxing, and sleeping. It allows for a flexible way of living, such as extending one’s home office across an entire wall, from a dining table in one corner to a writing desk in another.
The original Austrian oak flooring has been restored, with traces of demolished walls marked by black tiles inlaid with copper strips. The flooring rises vertically to form a central wooden spine. This multifunctional wall conceals cabinets, doors, and a Murphy bed, enabling multiple spatial configurations and evolving patterns of use.
