A Hong Kong flat redesigned for sexagenarians offers flexibility, comfort and luxury

A Hong Kong couple in their late 60s didn’t want the headache of a long and complicated home renovation. But they did want their three-bedroom, 1,368 sq ft North Point apartment redesigned to suit their evolving needs.

The couple, planning to retire from their engineering and construction business soon, were familiar with the apartment, having lived next door for 40 years. Previously owned by the husband’s father, it holds sentimental value, especially now that their children and grandchildren also live in the same complex.

“They approached us because they liked our aesthetic and saw the flexibility we have,” says Chen. “And because they are in their late 60s, they didn’t want too many structural layout changes. They wanted to keep everything simple and hassle-free.”

The fact that the flat has been passed down from family added to the owners’ wishes to keep its layout unchanged.

A key aspect of the redesign was leaving two of the three bedrooms relatively unaltered so the couple could use them as a home office and as a guest room for their grandchildren, although at one point, an exercise room was also considered. They also contemplated separate bedrooms, a common request from couples over 50. In these two rooms, Chen and his team merely added wardrobes for extra storage. “They didn’t want things to be too permanent,” he says.