Atrium House by via.

Photographer Harlim Djauhar Winata

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From the architect: Nestled near the quiet village of Lung Tin Tsuen, Atrium House reimagines Chinese vernacular architecture to derive a new model for shared living. The area is known for its many historic houses and walled villages dating back to pre-war days. Against this historically-rich setting, the design combines vernacular aesthetic with a contemporary sensibility...

Photographer Kris Provoost

via. took silhouettes of the courtyard house to inform the spatial plan, building upon notions of order and symmetry to create sequential layers of spaces. A narrative of “Light Moments” was used to inspire the aesthetic theme. Taking the changes of light in a day, colors representing dawn, day, dusk and night were subtly embedded into the scheme to distinguish various functional zones.

Photographer Harlim Djauhar Winata

Visitors enter the premises through solid timber gates, flanked by handcrafted walls of bricks carefully layered and set in a rotation to create a rippling effect. Upon entry, one’s eye is drawn towards a “shadow wall” which spans the entire foyer with striking colors of dawn. The feature wall is composed of hundreds of teardrop-shaped metal plates that were hand stacked to resemble traditional roof tiles, some of these also double as mailboxes for the residences.

Photographer Kris Provoost

From the foyer, movement is instinctively drawn into the central courtyard - "Yíshě" - where the development’s club facilities are housed. Here, a series of contemporary brick pavilions wraparound a central pool, creating a loop of indoor and outdoor areas linked by narrow pathways - reminiscent of ancient hutongs. The pavilions are dedicated to cultural or leisure amenities – chess, calligraphy, banquet and kitchen, gym, play – anchored by a tea salon overlooking calming mountain views. Greenery and landscaped areas further tie together the courtyard with poetic calmness. When viewed from above, overlapping pavilions roofs become giant vessels for trees to offer a unique perspective to the tower’s inhabitants.

Photographer Kris Provoost

Extending from the heritage architecture of Yuen Long, traditionally-proportioned Chinese blue bricks were used for the pavilions. via. worked extensively with local craftsmen and heritage specialists to develop unique formations for the pavilions’ curved facades and openings in brick patterns to allow a play on light.

Photographer Kris Provoost

Atrium House’s interior schemes hint at Chinese heritage through architectural details. Inside the Banquet space, a dramatic stepped ceiling takes its form from rice terraces and reflects the varying depths of the planters above pavilion roofs. Pivoting windows connect the inside and outside, creating contrasting shadows on mosaic floors, while allowing different levels of privacy.

Photographer Kris Provoost

These spaces are further elevated by curated pieces – from contemporary furniture and hand-painted ceramics, to sculptural works. In the Chess pavilion, artist Andrew Luk’s LED-lit landscape pieces reflect the shape of traditional siheyuan. via. also designed bespoke signage for each activity zone crafted from stacked metal sheets with custom Chinese lettering.

Photographer Kris Provoost

Architect: via.
Client: New World Development
Location: Yeun Long, Hong Kong
Year: 2021
Photography: Harlim Djauhar Winata, Kris Provoost, Kenneth Chao
Video: Harlim Djauhar Winata at Glamfab

Photographer Kris Provoost

Photographer Kris Provoost

Photographer Kris Provoost

Photographer Kenneth Chao

Photographer Kenneth Chao

Photographer Kenneth Chao

Photographer Kenneth Chao

Photographer Kenneth Chao

Photographer Kenneth Chao

Photographer Kenneth Chao

Photographer Harlim Djauhar Winata

Photographer Harlim Djauhar Winata

Photographer Harlim Djauhar Winata

Photographer Harlim Djauhar Winata

Photographer Kris Provoost

Photographer Harlim Djauhar Winata

Photographer Kris Provoost

Photographer Kris Provoost

Photographer Kenneth Chao

Photographer Kris Provoost

Photographer Kris Provoost

Photographer Kris Provoost

Photographer Kris Provoost

Photographer Kris Provoost

Photographer Kris Provoost

Photographer Kris Provoost