For a Hong Kong architect, designing his own home was one of his biggest challenges yet
Hubert Un’s Mid-Levels flat was his toughest commission yet, managing his own preference for minimalism and his wife’s more traditional tastes
Architect Hubert Un is no stranger to renovations. He has worked on commercial and residential projects around the world, yet, he says, the makeover of his and his wife’s own Mid-Levels flat this year was one of the hardest.
“Clients have their own priorities and design issues, which you as the architect have to accommodate,” Un says. “It’s a different story when it’s your own place. I kept asking myself whether I’d chosen the best design solutions, and as I could almost always come up with alternatives, the design concept changed constantly.”
He also had to take into consideration his wife’s tastes and requirements, which were sometimes at odds with his own. Whereas his tend towards modern minimalism, she prefers a home that is more traditional and comfortable. A vintage English chandelier in the master bedroom, for example, pays homage to her love of antiques. He chose all the dark wallpaper; she picked light, more feminine florals. It was, says Un, a good exercise in getting to know each other better and making compromises for the greater good.
“We have elements of both our style preferences but neither one is over the top or dominates the other,” Un says. “We managed to get the mix and the balance just right.”
Having previously rented in Sha Tin, last year the couple bought their first apartment. They chose it for its location – Un’s office is in Central – as well as for its 1,881 sq ft of space. Un gutted and reconfigured the property: he got rid of multiple bedrooms and created a master suite and walk-in wardrobe; a study-cum-guest room with a nearby bathroom; a large living and dining area; and an L-shaped kitchen with domestic helper quarters. Un incorporated lots of built-in cupboards at his wife’s request and they treated themselves to new furniture.
“The only problem with sourcing online was that the furniture didn’t all arrive at the same time,” recalls Un. “At one point, all we had was a bed and four folding chairs in addition to kitchen and bathroom facilities.”
