Connection, revitalisation, history, community empowerment and fashion creation were key concepts behind this collaborative project between PHVLO (pronounced “flow”), a sustainability focused and socially aware lifestyle brand, Hong Kong NGO Hatch and The Good Studio. It was conceived out of a desire to create a viable work and education hub relating to the fashion industry and tailoring, and to give something back to the surrounding community of Sham Shui Po, one of the city’s poorest districts.
The Good Studio’s fresh approach to the design process matched PHVLO Hatch’s vision by responding to brand identity and project requirements through the generation of simple but powerful ideas.
A tight budget initiated rather than stifled creativity, generating thoughtful and cost-effective solutions to achieve the desired goal. Inexpensive green corrugated steel was employed as cladding on the spiral staircase, framing around the double-height entrance and as detailing on the ground-floor café walls. It provides unconventional and striking bursts of colour, and draws attention to the building’s original architecture, which has been sensitively restored. From a historic aspect, it echoes the signature shade associated with Sham Shui Po’s MTR station and reflects a local design trend from the 1970s when there was an abundance of green design accents.
This eye-catching steel also underlines PHVLO’s commitment to the environment and links diverse features into a united whole.