In 2009, we completed the renovation of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Hong Kong, located at the Far East Finance Centre in Admiralty. Spanning 16,000 sq.ft. across two floors, the project redefined the consulate as both a secure diplomatic facility and a cultural showcase.
Our design strategy blended contemporary aesthetics with traditional Korean elements, introducing marble finishes, dark wood panelling, and hanok-inspired detailing to convey dignity and authenticity. The layout was re-planned to optimize efficiency: public areas such as visa and passport counters were designed for high throughput and privacy, while private offices ensured confidentiality and secure circulation.
A central highlight of the project was the creation of a cultural exhibition hall, conceived as a modern platform to promote Korean heritage in Hong Kong. Equipped with integrated audiovisual systems and flexible displays, the hall engaged visitors beyond administrative functions, fostering cultural exchange.
Delivered within six months and fully compliant with Hong Kong’s regulatory standards, the project was commended by the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs for harmonizing tradition and modernity. It has since become a benchmark for consular facilities in the region, both functionally and culturally.
2009년, 저희는 홍콩 애드미럴티 파 이스트 파이낸스 센터에 위치한 주홍콩 대한민국 총영사관의 리노베이션 프로젝트를 완수했습니다. 총 16,000평방피트(두 개 층, 각 8,000평방피트)에 걸쳐 진행된 본 프로젝트는 총영사관을 안전한 외교 공간이자 한국 문화를 알리는 문화 거점으로 재정의했습니다.
디자인 전략은 현대적 미학과 전통적 한국적 요소의 조화를 중점에 두었습니다. 대리석 마감, 짙은 원목 패널, 그리고 한옥에서 영감을 받은 디테일을 적용하여 위엄과 정체성을 동시에 표현했습니다. 공간 구성은 효율성을 극대화하도록 재배치되었으며, 비자 및 여권 발급 창구와 같은 공공 구역은 높은 처리 효율성과 프라이버시를 보장하도록 설계되었고, 사무 공간은 기밀성과 보안을 고려한 동선으로 계획되었습니다.
프로젝트의 중심적 하이라이트는 문화 전시관의 신설이었습니다. 이 공간은 현대적인 플랫폼으로서 홍콩 내 한국 문화를 홍보하고 교류할 수 있도록 기획되었으며, 통합 AV 시스템과 유연한 전시 시설을 갖추어 행정 기능을 넘어선 방문객 경험을 제공했습니다.
6개월 만에 완공된 본 프로젝트는 홍콩의 규제 기준을 철저히 준수했으며, 전통과 현대를 조화시킨 점에서 대한민국 외교부로부터 높은 평가를 받았습니다. 본 총영사관은 기능적, 문화적 측면에서 지역 내 외교 시설의 새로운 기준으로 자리매김했습니다.
Project details
Signature materials
Polished marble flooring and counters
Dark wood panelling (hanok-inspired)
Light wood finishes
Glass partitions with geometric motifs
Integrated LED and recessed lighting
Construction Duration
~6 months
Location
Far East Finance Centre, Admiralty, Hong Kong
Area
16000 sqft.
Year
2009
CONCEPT & DESIGN INTENT
The project was conceived to establish a modern, secure, and culturally representative diplomatic facility for the Republic of Korea in Hong Kong. Our vision was to embody the living essence of Korean culture—rooted in Eastern traditions and philosophies—while reinterpreting these values through a contemporary design language. The intent was to strike a balance between functionality and symbolism: creating a space that served the day-to-day administrative needs of the consulate while simultaneously projecting Korea’s cultural identity to the public.
The inclusion of a cultural exhibition hall was a core feature, designed to function as a cultural icon, promoting engagement with Korean heritage in a modern, experiential manner.
SPATIAL STRATEGY / PLANNING LOGIC
The 16,000 sq ft. facility was divided across two floors with a clear hierarchy of functions:
Public-Facing Areas: Visa and passport counters, waiting areas, and cultural exhibition spaces. These were planned to maximize circulation efficiency, minimize wait times, and maintain a welcoming yet secure environment.
Administrative Offices: Located on separate floors with secure access zones, ensuring privacy and diplomatic confidentiality.
Cultural Hall: Centrally positioned as a symbolic and functional anchor, offering exhibition space, an auditorium, and interactive displays to promote cultural outreach.
Circulation was deliberately linear and intuitive, with marble flooring and wood-panelled walls guiding visitors seamlessly from reception to service counters or cultural spaces.
GALLERY
MATERIALITY & DETAILING
The design embraced a restrained yet refined material palette that fused tradition with modernity:
Stone & Marble: Used in flooring and reception counters for durability and dignity, reflecting gravitas suitable for a diplomatic facility.
Dark & Light Woods: Evoked hanok-inspired warmth and cultural authenticity while ensuring a contemporary executive aesthetic.
Glass & Metal Accents: Introduced transparency and lightness, balancing the solidity of stone and wood.
Lighting: Recessed ceiling fixtures and accent lights highlighted circulation paths, reception counters, and cultural displays. The cultural hall featured integrated projection and LED screens for modern exhibition flexibility.
PROJECT GOALS & OUTCOMES
The renovation was successfully delivered within six months, achieving:
On-Time & On-Budget Delivery: Despite the complexity of dual-floor renovation and regulatory requirements, the project met its deadlines without cost overruns.
Functional Excellence: Visa processing areas were reconfigured for efficiency, privacy, and visitor comfort. The layout became a reference model for other Korean consulates across Asia.
Cultural Representation: The exhibition hall enriched the consulate’s role beyond administration, positioning it as a cultural bridge between Korea and Hong Kong.
Client Recognition: The Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs commended the project for harmonizing tradition and modernity while reinforcing Korea’s national identity abroad.
COLLABORATION & CONSTRAINTS
The project required close cross-cultural and cross-border collaboration:
Stakeholders: Our team worked with Korean government representatives, consulate staff, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, alongside Hong Kong consultants and contractors.
Constraints: Navigating Hong Kong’s stringent building codes, fire safety approvals, and security compliance presented challenges. Acoustic insulation and controlled-access zones demanded precise detailing.
Resolutions: Through proactive regulatory coordination, phased construction planning, and regular site inspections, we resolved compliance and logistical challenges while minimizing disruption.
The collaborative execution not only met the consulate’s operational requirements but also set a new benchmark for diplomatic facilities in the region.
CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA
FAR EAST FINANCE CENTRE
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