Project: Yíshè at Atrium House
Award: Leisure, Bronze, 2022
Location: Yuen Long, Hong Kong
Architect: Via Architects Ltd
Client: New World Development
Nestled in a quiet village, Yíshè is a social club providing communal facilities for the residential complex Atrium House through a collection of brick-clad pavilions. These reimagined Chinese courtyard homes wrap around a peaceful central swimming pool to create a loop of indoor and outdoor areas linked by narrow pathways which are reminiscent of ancient hutongs (narrow alleys).
The series of contemporary, multi-functional pavilions are home to different cultural and wellness activities including chess, calligraphy, a gym and a timber tea salon which overlooks the calming mountainous landscape.
Functional areas are organized in sequential zones with a colour scheme that reflects the changes of light within a day - from dawn to dusk to night. A wall spanning the entire width of the lobby space uses gradient tones to evoke the striking colours of dawn and is composed from hundreds of curved stainless steel forms which mimic traditional roof tiles. Some of them also double as residential mailboxes.
Design highlights
As a nod to the area's architectural heritage, traditionally-proportioned Chinese blue bricks have been used extensively, creating unique curved walls and perforated brick patterns which play on light. The main entrance features soaring timber gates framed by staggered brick walls. Yíshè's interior schemes also recall Chinese heritage with architectural flair. Inside the pavilions, a stepped ceiling takes the form of rice terraces. Bespoke signage for each area has been crafted from layered 3D-printed sheets to echo the ceiling design, with custom Chinese typography.
Photo credit: Kris Provoost, Harlim Djauhar Winata, Kenneth Chao
- LEAD DESIGNER: Frank Leung