Architecture

Hong Kong micro apartment packs smart tech into transformable spaces

Hong Kong micro apartment packs smart tech into transformable spaces
Smart Zendo apartment draws on the traditional Chinese philosophies of Zen and Feng Shui
Smart Zendo apartment draws on the traditional Chinese philosophies of Zen and Feng Shui
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Hong Kong-based architectural firm Sim-Plex has recently converted an open two-bedroom apartment into a smart, space-saving family home
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Hong Kong-based architectural firm Sim-Plex has recently converted an open two-bedroom apartment into a smart, space-saving family home
The Smart Zendo apartment is a 45-sq-m (492-sq-ft) home boasting smart technology
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The Smart Zendo apartment is a 45-sq-m (492-sq-ft) home boasting smart technology
The Smart Zendo apartment boasts multi-purpose zones
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The Smart Zendo apartment boasts multi-purpose zones
Smart Zendo apartment draws on the traditional Chinese philosophies of Zen and Feng Shui
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Smart Zendo apartment draws on the traditional Chinese philosophies of Zen and Feng Shui
Smart Zendo integrates smart living concepts
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Smart Zendo integrates smart living concepts
The living room can be closed off with a hidden sliding wall
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The living room can be closed off with a hidden sliding wall
The architects designed the living room above an elevated wooden platform
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The architects designed the living room above an elevated wooden platform
The unique modular platform features different sections, allowing the living area to easily be transformed into a cinema
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The unique modular platform features different sections, allowing the living area to easily be transformed into a cinema
A hidden central dining table pops up from the platform, transforming the space into a meals area in a matter of seconds
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A hidden central dining table pops up from the platform, transforming the space into a meals area in a matter of seconds
Other sections of the platform conveniently hide an abundance of storage
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Other sections of the platform conveniently hide an abundance of storage
There is no need for chairs, as the surrounding platform acts perfectly as bench seating for up to four guests
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There is no need for chairs, as the surrounding platform acts perfectly as bench seating for up to four guests
The open living area is ideal for play time, with hidden storage below
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The open living area is ideal for play time, with hidden storage below
The two spaces can be separted by a sliding wall
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The two spaces can be separted by a sliding wall
The living room can be closed off from the open kitchen area with lightweight sliding bi-folding doors
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The living room can be closed off from the open kitchen area with lightweight sliding bi-folding doors


The unique modular platform features different sections, allowing the living area to easily be transformed into a play room
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The unique modular platform features different sections, allowing the living area to easily be transformed into a play room

The kitchen features amble cupboard space, which takes advantage of the full height of the ceilings
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The kitchen features amble cupboard space, which takes advantage of the full height of the ceilings
The shared bathroom features marble tiles and melamine waterproof cabinetry
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The shared bathroom features marble tiles and melamine waterproof cabinetry
The luxury bathroom is bright and light filled
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The luxury bathroom is bright and light filled
The bathroom is modeled off five star hotel en suites
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The bathroom is modeled off five star hotel en suites
The master bedroom with ample built-in wardrobe space
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The master bedroom with ample built-in wardrobe space
The bedroom features a hidden make-up table
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The bedroom features a hidden make-up table
No nook is left unused in the bedroom
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No nook is left unused in the bedroom
Stunning large window captures the external beauty
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Stunning large window captures the external beauty
The second single bedroom with built-in study desk and wooden platform for additional storage
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The second single bedroom with built-in study desk and wooden platform for additional storage
The second bedroom also captures great views
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The second bedroom also captures great views
Two steps and a walkway leads to the living area
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Two steps and a walkway leads to the living area
Smart Zendo apartment features transformable spaces
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Smart Zendo apartment features transformable spaces
The pop-up table creates an ideal spot to enjoy a tea ceremony
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The pop-up table creates an ideal spot to enjoy a tea ceremony
The master bedroom is kept minimal
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The master bedroom is kept minimal
The bathroom is positioned opposite the second bedroom
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The bathroom is positioned opposite the second bedroom
The bathroom is compact and features a central toilet, basin and shower
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The bathroom is compact and features a central toilet, basin and shower
The bathroom features storage behind the mirror and below the basin
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The bathroom features storage behind the mirror and below the basin
The second bedroom is jam-packed with storage
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The second bedroom is jam-packed with storage
The kitchen features additional seating for casual dining
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The kitchen features additional seating for casual dining
View gallery - 34 images

Hong Kong-based architectural firm Sim-Plex has recently converted an open two-bedroom apartment into a smart, space-saving family home. The Smart Zendo apartment is a 45-sq-m (492-sq-ft) micro home boasting smart technology, multi-purpose zones, space-saving furniture and draws on the traditional Chinese philosophies of Zen and Feng Shui.

“The spirit of Zen is the pursuit of harmony," says Sim-Plex. "The Smart Zendo is based on the spiritual details of Zen, trying to combine natural scenery and emotion of home-stay, traditional Feng Shui aesthetics and smart technology. Smart homes are common in Hong Kong in recent years, but generally they have been shaped into a futuristic form.”

Hong Kong-based architectural firm Sim-Plex has recently converted an open two-bedroom apartment into a smart, space-saving family home
Hong Kong-based architectural firm Sim-Plex has recently converted an open two-bedroom apartment into a smart, space-saving family home

Integrating smart living concepts into the home, the architects designed the living room above an elevated wooden platform. The unique modular platform features different sections, allowing the living area to easily be transformed into a dining room, play room, cinema or spare bedroom.

A hidden central dining table pops up from the platform, transforming the space into a meals area in a matter of seconds. There is no need for chairs, as the surrounding platform acts perfectly as bench seating for up to four adults. Other sections of the platform conveniently conceal an abundance of storage, perfect for hiding the kids' toys, blankets, cushions or even books. The living room also features a large floor-to-ceiling window and an integrated maple veneer media wall, with further shelving and storage.

The pop-up table creates an ideal spot to enjoy a tea ceremony
The pop-up table creates an ideal spot to enjoy a tea ceremony

“[We] used the concept of the Zendo to bring the view of the scenery outside the window into the house,” says Sim-Plex. “The integrated TV cabinet wall and the wooden floor platform are plain and warm, but yet there were a large number of intelligent devices hidden within. The design is also integrated to the traditional Feng Shui doctrine, to create a spiritual space where tradition and technology, people and scenery are combined.”

Adjacent to the multi-purpose living room, is a modern kitchen complete with quartz stone bench tops, additional seating for casual dining and flat screen wall-mounted television. The kitchen also features amble cupboard space, taking advantage of the full height of the walls. The living room can be closed off from the open kitchen area with a lightweight sliding folding door. The separation wall is stored hidden within the media wall and allows the living room to transform into a guest bedroom with the added benefit of privacy.

The living room can be closed off from the open kitchen area with lightweight sliding bi-folding doors
The living room can be closed off from the open kitchen area with lightweight sliding bi-folding doors


The home is also equipped with several smart technology and remote control features, including voice-activated synthesizers; automatic blinds; automatic lifting dining table; lighting and air-conditioning; electronic hidden projection screen; and electronic door locks.

The second single bedroom with built-in study desk and wooden platform for additional storage
The second single bedroom with built-in study desk and wooden platform for additional storage

Other sections of the home include the master bedroom, with ample built-in wardrobe space, storage and a hidden dressing table; second single bedroom with built-in study desk and wooden platform for additional storage; and a main bathroom with marble tiles and melamine waterproof cabinetry.

Source: Sim-Plex via Design Milk

View gallery - 34 images
2 comments
2 comments
paul314
So it's still a two-bedroom apartment? Sounds pretty standard for any major city, except perhaps for the inconvenience of the fixed platforms, so no moving furniture out of the way for parties.
phissith
I was hoping maybe to see this design on a yacht but it seem to not work. I rather have traditional space layout for yacht design.