A Tiny Apartment in Hong Kong Uses Adaptable Joinery to Expand the Space

When a couple with a young son bought a compact apartment in Hong Kong’s Tseung Kwan O New Town development, they approached Sim-Plex Design Studio to undertake a renovation that makes use of flexible joinery to ensure the family’s live-in helper has her own space and privacy.

"The phenomenon of ‘nano-flats’ in Hong Kong makes it difficult to provide an independent room to a maid," says architect Patrick Lam, founder of Sim-Plex Design Studio. "The couple hope that the new home will not only take into account the needs of their family, but also value the living space and privacy of their domestic helper."

The 504-square-foot unit originally had two bedrooms, so the architect’s main challenge was to create a new, separate space for the domestic helper. With ample ceiling height to play with, Lam inserted a floating platform above the living room to fit in a third sleeping area.