Playpod Sanctuary
We were tasked with designing a home that would not only fulfil the practical needs of a four-member family in Hong Kong but, crucially, would serve as a haven for mental health and wellbeing post-pandemic. We sought to create an environment that harnesses the power of playful design and soothing colours to facilitate harmony and elevated mood for this family in this three-storey mountainous residence.
The Narrative: A Palette of Positivity
Our muse came in the form of art, specifically, the celebrated post-impressionistic works of French artist, Paul Cézanne. His paintings of Provence formed the basis of our narrative, reflecting the calming greenery and tranquil mountainous landscapes of his homeland. Through his art, we envisioned a design language that embodied elegance and playfulness—combining natural timber, green hues, curvaceous forms, and vertical elements inspired by trees.
The Process: Bespoke Engagement and Sustainable Living
In our process, we did not merely design for the family but with them. We embarked on intensive design workshops, engaging the clients in generating creative, health-conscious, and environmentally responsible ideas relevant to their daily routines. We encouraged them to think creatively beyond the initial brief, resulting in a wish-list of functional spaces – from a comfortable lounge for receiving guests to diverse children’s activity areas.
The Solution: Composition of Connective Spaces
At the heart of our solution lay the spatial arrangement and composition heavily inspired by the ‘building within a building’ concept. We developed private, semi-private, and public spaces across the three levels of the apartment and a roof terrace, each designed to cater to diverse activities and routines of each family member, while promoting connectivity and interaction through spatial elements such as staircase volumes.
The Materials: Natural Aesthetic Meets Playful Functionality
The materials, colour scheme and textures were meticulously selected to reflect our calming natural aesthetic. Neutral elements of timber, light beige textured paint and nodes of green accents were woven into custom furniture and other design elements. We placed a high priority on durability and functionality, as seen in the use of colourful terrazzo flooring in the kitchen and entrance area.
Environmental Design: Sensory Experience for Overall Wellbeing
Understanding that lighting, acoustics, and material selection can heavily impact a person’s mental state, we took special care to address these components. Our designs incorporated highly efficient acoustic partitions, an array of varied lighting conditions, and a careful consideration of colour temperature. These elements worked in harmony to create diverse atmospheres suitable to the varied preferences and activities of different family members, while fostering an overall soothing and comfortable home environment.
The Challenge: Human-Centric Design for Mental Health Recovery
The defining challenge was encapsulated not just in solving spatial intricacies to meet the diverse needs of the family, but in creating a healing environment for mental health recovery during a post-pandemic era. We were required to comprehend the multifaceted layers of mental health and how design could aid in alleviating stress. Through key creative choices, empathetic engagement and a collaborative design process, we were able to successfully create a home that met all functional requirements, while also promising flexibility, transformation and coherence for the years to come. This project is our testament to the value of wellbeing in residential design.
Bean Buro team: Lorène Faure, Kenny Kinugasa-Tsui, Winnie Chan, Kirk Kwok, Laura Muller, Matthew Lok, Anny Teng; Client: Private; Main contractor: R&C ENGINEERING (H.K.) CO. LIMITED; Area size: 2,860sqft; Location: Tuen Mun, Hong Kong; Photography: Steven Ko;
“Our muse came in the form of art, specifically, the celebrated post-impressionistic works of French artist, Paul Cézanne. His paintings of Provence formed the basis of our narrative, reflecting the calming greenery and tranquil mountainous landscapes of his homeland.” — Kenny Kinugasa-Tsui, co-founder of Bean Buro
“Through Cézanne’s art, we envisioned a design language that embodied elegance and playfulness—combining natural timber, green hues, curvaceous forms, and vertical elements inspired by trees.” — Lorène Faure, co-founder of Bean Buro
