FORCE OF NATURE
At this home in the rural New Territories, nature is free to reign amidst minimal design and organic materials | 簡約設計及天然材質在新界郊區宅舍散發無限光芒
At this home in the rural New Territories, nature is free to reign amidst minimal design and organic materials 簡約設計及天然材質在新界郊區宅舍散發無限光芒
Twenty years ago, a husband promised his wife two things: that he would buy her a house and take her to see an aurora. This stunning home in the New Territories is the result of the first of those promises – and with the abode’s attractive glass-topped open kitchen and generous outdoor area, it allows the couple to stargaze nightly in preparation for the time when he takes her to see a real aurora.
This is the romantic tale behind the genesis of this impressive countryside abode in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district. And Eric Fung, chief designer at EF Design, is the creative brains behind its final realisation.
“The homeowners wanted a simple, stylish design and to preserve a flavour of nature to match the surroundings,” says Fung. “I used earth tones and made use of wood in different elements to create a natural and calming space.” This was complemented by the use of a mix of black and white tones in the fixtures and furniture, which when combined with the organic materials deliver a stylish, peaceful home.
Nature and the greenery of the great outdoors are never far away, not only by virtue
二十年前，丈夫向妻子許下兩個承諾：為她購買房子和欣賞極光。這個坐落新界的美麗宅舍正是首個承諾的實現，其中廚房的玻璃天窗和開闊的戶外空間讓夫婦兩人能隨時隨地仰望星空，為迎接真正的北極光作出最佳的準備。
來自室內設計公司EF Design的設計總監馮建耀(Eric Fung)負責房舍的室內裝潢，他為家中注入了無限創意，在這個大埔郊區建築成就一段浪漫故事。
設計師向我們分享背後的設計理念：「屋主希望能夠添置配合環繞四處的繁花綠景，因此我選擇了大地色調和木製元素打造自然和諧的空間。」黑白顏色的裝置和傢具與自然原始的材質成就一抹時尚安寧的氛圍。
of the rural surroundings of the house but also through the lifestyle of its inhabitants, a family of four. To reflect this, many of the furnishings which Fung chose are made with naturally occurring materials such as wood and marble in order to create a harmony within.
Nods to nature were also made to please the husband who has a passion for outdoor sports including cycling. He is fond of kick-boxing, too, and Fung converted the car park into a gym with a punching bag and space in which he can store his bicycles.
The heart of the home is the expansive living, dining and kitchen area with its striking roof. “The glass-topped open kitchen allows a lot of natural light into the house, along with the stargazing at night. It could become an oven in summer, but to deal with that I installed an electric awning on top of the glass top and two hanging fans,” says Fung. “I also made use of the natural light from the kitchen and lead it to the living room by placing a sliding glass partition between them.”
The expert use and extension of natural light, which allows this space to feel brighter and breezier, doesn’t end there. Fung also added a sunroof in the bathroom. “Basically, the whole house makes use of glass partitions and sunroofs to allow natural light in, which also corresponds to the natural design,” says Fung. Minor structural changes helped with this, too, as Fung substituted walls with glass partitions to enhance the natural light, and make the 1,300-square-foot home feel larger while also bringing the outside in.
Overall, Fung describes the house as having a Scandinavian feel, in keeping with the homeowner’s desire for a style that was natural and comfortable, yet helps to maximise the natural beauty within and around.//
蒼翠綠林離家僅有一步之遙，設計師更配合這個四人家庭的生活方式把美景引入家中。環觀屋內，你可以找到精心挑選的木材和大理石物料，整體和諧有致。
猶如大自然一樣的家園特別適合熱愛騎單車等戶外活動的丈夫，由停車場改裝而建成的健身房備有沙包，讓他能夠在這個寬闊的空間放置單車，又或是盡情享受拳擊運動帶來的樂趣。
客廳、飯廳和廚房上方設有獨特的玻璃天窗，絕對是家中最為矚目的地帶。「透過天窗能夠觀望星空，也能將自然光線引進屋內。為抵抗在夏天如烤爐般的高溫，我在玻璃上方安裝了電動簾幕和兩把懸掛的吊扇。另外，廚房和客廳之間設置玻璃隔間，巧妙運用明亮光線。」
精彩設計和戶外光線的巧妙應用並沒有就此打住，設計師更為浴室增備相同設計，他表示：「具透明感的玻璃隔間和天窗是房屋的基調，響應著自然的感覺。」玻璃隔間取替牆壁的細微調整同時重要，讓面積1,300平方呎的室內空間洋溢光芒，廣闊無比。
設計師按照屋主的偏好，糅合實際的傢具設計為家居締造安逸舒適的北歐風格。備有玻璃天窗的廚房和客廳，連同典雅陽台花園，完美展現簡樸真實的效果。 //