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.