Client envisioned a mysterious and intimate space housing a private collection of rare vintage spirits, whilst still being a coherent extension of AKI Hong Kong – Mgallery hotel. The space hosts a one of a kind collection of vintage Japanese whiskeys, adding a touch of warmth to the layered design that progressively unfolds towards the open view of Hong Kong’s iconic cityscape. Uncle Ming’s identity as both an organic spatial component of AKI Hong Kong – Mgallery hotel and, at the same time, a standalone feature able to provide a contrasting experience is ensured by a layered design that resonates with the intensity of the surrounding exteriors in a warm, intimate way and, yet, profoundly engaging in a continued dialogue with the city.
Steeped in the spirit of the city, Uncle Ming’s initiates a conversation with the outside architecture through a geometric language lying at the core of Hong Kong’s spectacular cityscape. Like a house of light suspended in the sky, Uncle Ming’s guides visitors towards its trove of fine whiskies, taking guests on a journey of discovery as they unbox the treasures within. Defined by simple, rectilinear shapes and realised through soulful materials, the den unfolds as an enigmatic cubic volume. Light is refracted by rippled glass, detailing the walls with shadows and slow, orderly movements that exalt into a quiet allure. The blurred boundaries between exteriors and interiors are emphasised by full-height windows revealing the sharp juxtaposition between Wan Chai’s neon lights and the subdued glow of the built environment. Custom colored textured glasswork and timber joinery between the architecture frame the views and the internal space; amber shades, oak timbers, and glass bricks, all shape a visual compensation with the contrasting brightness of the outside.
The sense of progressive surprise and discovery enhances patrons’ experience: layered design infused with entwined lights and shadows guide diners to gradually unfold the interior space and Hong Kong’s compact skyscrapers. Nestled right within the city’s pulsing heart, Uncle Ming’s unfurls as a mysterious space that transcends the present space and time into a suspended, parallel dimension.