Behind the design of Soho House Hong Kong
Our first outpost within a high-rise building celebrates the culture of the city, spotlighting local craftsmanship and contemporary Asian design
Tuesday 27 August 2024 By Chloe Lawrance Photography by Amanda Kho
In 2019, we opened the doors to Soho House Hong Kong, our first outpost in East Asia, as a hub for the creative community in the city. Traditionally, our Houses are found in historic townhouses, such as the original one at 40 Greek Street, or refurbished warehouse buildings, like Shoreditch House. But for Soho House Hong Kong, the team chose nine floors across a 30-storey skyscraper, our first club of its kind.
‘The building presented a challenge that we hadn’t faced before: a backdrop with no existing elements to inspire the concept,’ explains Soho House Principal Designer, Severine Lammoglia. ‘But it also gave us a completely blank canvas.’
‘The building presented a challenge that we hadn’t faced before: a backdrop with no existing elements to inspire the concept,’ explains Soho House Principal Designer, Severine Lammoglia. ‘But it also gave us a completely blank canvas.’
The House’s location became the starting point for the design team, and they looked to the laid-back feel of the surrounding historic neighbourhood of Sheung Wan for inspiration, creating a space that provides a serene escape from the city.
‘Because the building is high-rise one, it offered these great views, which we incorporated into our design to allow members to fully enjoy them,’ says Lammoglia. That is especially true of the main club space on the 29th floor, where panoramic views over the city and Victoria Harbour are maximised with floor-to-ceiling windows and comfortable window seats.
‘Because the building is high-rise one, it offered these great views, which we incorporated into our design to allow members to fully enjoy them,’ says Lammoglia. That is especially true of the main club space on the 29th floor, where panoramic views over the city and Victoria Harbour are maximised with floor-to-ceiling windows and comfortable window seats.
There are plenty of cosy corners for members to curl up with a coffee or cocktail, too: pendant lantern light fixtures hang from locally crafted basket-weave ceilings to create intimate social areas, while lounge-style seating in rich, jewel tones invite members to relax. The space also includes a stage for the House’s famous karaoke nights.
The design team wanted to make the rest of the club feel distinctly ‘Soho House’, even in this new kind of building. ‘We took a unique approach, focusing on introducing signature elements to the space – lots of rugs, layered lighting, comfy cushions. That kind of thing,’ Lammoglia says.
The design team wanted to make the rest of the club feel distinctly ‘Soho House’, even in this new kind of building. ‘We took a unique approach, focusing on introducing signature elements to the space – lots of rugs, layered lighting, comfy cushions. That kind of thing,’ Lammoglia says.
‘The blank canvas we were given meant we could design each floor with its own distinct character: a mid-century-inspired sitting room for the club with lots of vintage furniture, a bar evoking the glamour of old Hong Kong, and a bright solarium setting for the Pool Room,’ she explains.
The Pool Room on the 30th floor of the building is a unique space available for members to hire for private events and parties, and for House member events. With locally sourced and crafted bamboo furniture, and an abundance of greenery throughout, it’s a versatile room: relaxed during the day, but ideal for celebrations once the sun sets.
‘The idea was to create a fun, disco-ready space around the pool,’ says Lammoglia. ‘Terrazzo-patterned floors and textured plaster walls give the floor an English conservatory feel, with curved ceiling sections spanning the entire room and an emerald tiled pool at its centre. It’s really special.’
The Pool Room on the 30th floor of the building is a unique space available for members to hire for private events and parties, and for House member events. With locally sourced and crafted bamboo furniture, and an abundance of greenery throughout, it’s a versatile room: relaxed during the day, but ideal for celebrations once the sun sets.
‘The idea was to create a fun, disco-ready space around the pool,’ says Lammoglia. ‘Terrazzo-patterned floors and textured plaster walls give the floor an English conservatory feel, with curved ceiling sections spanning the entire room and an emerald tiled pool at its centre. It’s really special.’
Each of the 13 floors of the House – three of which are dedicated to a wellness space, with a gym, sauna and steam room – have been specifically designed to be mindful of feng shui.
‘We consulted Thierry Chow, an expert in the field, to focus on layout direction, furniture placement, greenery, artwork, and decoration,’ says Lammoglia. ‘With his help, we carefully considered materials and colour palettes to ensure a balanced energy.’
‘We consulted Thierry Chow, an expert in the field, to focus on layout direction, furniture placement, greenery, artwork, and decoration,’ says Lammoglia. ‘With his help, we carefully considered materials and colour palettes to ensure a balanced energy.’
Throughout the House, the integration of local art and subtle nods to Hong Kong’s cultural heritage helps to create a space that feels in touch with its surrounding city. Hundreds of curated pieces of art by local artists are on display throughout, in celebration of the region’s unique visual identity. The design of the 25th floor also takes inspiration from the movies of Hong Kong local Wong Kar-Wei, including In the Mood for Love.
‘We gave each room its own colour palette inspired by Kar-Wei’s films, and lined our screening room with rich velvet landscape scenery,’ Lammoglia explains. ‘But ultimately our goal was to balance these local influences with elements typically found in our Houses globally, like panelling details and reclaimed wood floors. We also incorporated plenty of vintage European furniture, a rarity in Hong Kong. These kinds of details helped us to create the House, which is recognisable for global members and yet unique to Hong Kong.’
Explore Soho House Hong Kong and apply for membership
‘We gave each room its own colour palette inspired by Kar-Wei’s films, and lined our screening room with rich velvet landscape scenery,’ Lammoglia explains. ‘But ultimately our goal was to balance these local influences with elements typically found in our Houses globally, like panelling details and reclaimed wood floors. We also incorporated plenty of vintage European furniture, a rarity in Hong Kong. These kinds of details helped us to create the House, which is recognisable for global members and yet unique to Hong Kong.’
Explore Soho House Hong Kong and apply for membership
