The Innovation Lab in Kennedy Town was conceived as a collaborative hub for startups, primarily serving creative and international teams seeking a dynamic workspace in Hong Kong. Founded by an Australian entrepreneur, the Lab emphasized cross-border partnerships and creative synergies.
The design embraced a raw, industrial aesthetic—cement finishes, open ceilings, and exposed services—infused with striking neon accents to create a bold, energetic atmosphere. Instead of traditional glazing, translucent polycarbonate panels were applied, diffusing natural light while retaining privacy. Structural frames and partitions were crafted from raw steel and metal boards, ensuring durability and an authentic industrial identity.
This industrial-inspired approach delivered a functional yet experimental environment, aligning with the mission of nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship in the city’s emerging creative economy.
케네디타운에 위치한 Innovation Lab은 스타트업을 위한 협업 허브로 기획되었으며, 주로 창의적이고 국제적인 팀들이 홍콩에서 역동적인 업무 공간을 찾을 수 있도록 설계되었습니다. 호주 출신의 기업가가 설립한 이 공간은 국경을 초월한 파트너십과 창의적 시너지를 강조하였습니다.
디자인은 거친 인더스트리얼 미학을 기반으로 하여, 시멘트 마감, 오픈 천장, 노출된 설비에 네온 조명을 더해 대담하고 에너지 넘치는 분위기를 연출했습니다. 기존의 유리 대신 반투명 폴리카보네이트 패널을 사용하여 자연광을 확산시키면서도 프라이버시를 유지하였고, 구조 프레임과 파티션은 원자재 철재 및 메탈 보드로 제작되어 내구성과 진정성 있는 산업적 아이덴티티를 구현했습니다.
이러한 인더스트리얼 기반의 접근은 기능적이면서도 실험적인 환경을 제공하였고, 홍콩의 신흥 창의 경제 속에서 혁신과 기업가 정신을 육성하는 사명과 정확히 부합하는 공간을 완성하였습니다.
Project details
Signature materials
Cement finishes
Exposed ceilings
Neon lighting
Polycarbonate panels
Raw steel frames
Construction Duration
~3 months
Location
Kennedy Town, Hong Kong
Area
3000 sqft.
Year
2013
CONCEPT & DESIGN INTENT
The Innovation Lab was envisioned as a co-work hub dedicated to fostering creativity and collaboration among startups, particularly international teams setting up in Hong Kong. The intent was to transform an industrial building floor plate in Kennedy Town into a vibrant shared workspace that reflects both functionality and experimentation. Our design strikes a balance between the raw honesty of industrial materials and modern interventions, utilizing cement finishes, neon lighting accents, and polycarbonate walls to create a contemporary yet enduring aesthetic. The vision was to celebrate openness, adaptability, and the entrepreneurial spirit.
SPATIAL STRATEGY / PLANNING LOGIC
The spatial layout was designed to support flexibility, collaboration, and efficient use of space. Large open zones encouraged interaction and networking, while modular partitions defined smaller breakout areas without compromising transparency or natural light penetration. Circulation followed a straightforward, linear logic to maximize spatial clarity, with open ceilings and exposed services reinforcing a sense of volume and informality. The zoning strategy deliberately blurred boundaries between individual and communal zones, allowing the space to adapt as tenants grew or reconfigured their teams.
GALLERY
MATERIALITY & DETAILING
The palette drew heavily from industrial references. Cement surfaces, exposed ceilings, and raw steel frames introduced robustness and durability.
Translucent polycarbonate panels were used in place of conventional glazing, ensuring natural daylight diffusion while maintaining privacy and cost efficiency. Neon tube lighting provided a striking identity marker, giving the Lab a distinctive visual character both day and night. The detailing emphasized resilience—steel cladding and metal boards were applied to high-impact areas to improve longevity and withstand heavy day-to-day usage.
PROJECT GOALS & OUTCOMES
The project was completed within a tight three-month construction timeframe, meeting the operational requirements of the client. The outcome delivered a space that resonated with its target audience: creative startups and entrepreneurial communities, many of them international firms entering Hong Kong. The industrial-inspired environment provided not only a workplace but also an identity platform that reflected innovation, creativity, and a global outlook. Client satisfaction was anchored in both the timely handover and the alignment of the space with their vision of a collaborative ecosystem.
COLLABORATION & CONSTRAINTS
The project was commissioned by an Australian entrepreneur seeking to build partnerships in Hong Kong’s startup community. A key constraint was the transformation of an industrial building shell into a functional office environment while keeping costs manageable and ensuring fast delivery. Challenges included managing natural light penetration in deep floor areas and integrating services within the open-ceiling framework. These were resolved through the strategic use of translucent polycarbonate sheeting, efficient lighting design, and robust detailing that respected the existing industrial fabric. The collaborative approach between client and design team ensured the space retained its authenticity while meeting practical requirements.
INNOVATION LAB
KENNEDY TOWN
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