Design Interview
Vibe Centro Clubhouse · 18 questions
Vibe Centro is one of the most expensive addresses in Kai Tak, Hong Kong. Not only does it boast a waterfront location, the residence also lies in close proximity to some of Hong Kong’s most prestigious schools.
What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
Vibe Centro is one of the most expensive addresses in Kai Tak, Hong Kong. Not only does it boast a waterfront location, the residence also lies in close proximity to some of Hong Kong’s most prestigious schools. The residence comprises a mix of high-rise residential buildings & low-rise duplexes. Inspired by this, the key concept idea is to create a space that not only conjures a sense of luxury but one that pays tribute to its natural surroundings.
What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
Our main focus is to create a striking glasshouse which combined luxury and natural element. It provides a wide variety of facilities meeting different target users' needs. Every single area presents a great user-experience by each attentive design. As one enters into the clubhouse, one’s eyes are directed to the soaring eight-meter high ceiling. Overhead, the gold-flecked chandelier references the soaring high ceiling as well as its grandiose architecture. Tucked away at the back of the staircase, an all-day dining area is suffused with references to nature.
What are your future plans for this award winning design?
I would like to continue designing more similar projects in the future by promoting this award-winning project in our web site and newsletter.
How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
It takes around one year to finalize the whole design. We had the opportunity to present a few creative concepts, and after feedback, collectively decided on a design that fulfilled the budget, style, and branding needs.
Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
The client envisioned a luxurious yet modern clubhouse that can at once be a place where residents relax, work up and sweat, host a banquet and mingle with friends and family. As designers, we’re always mindful of the client’s design brief and budget, but equally crucial was devising a design that meets the client’s needs.
Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
This design has been adopted and built by my client last year.
What made you design this particular type of work?
As requested by the client.
Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
We work as a team so there are other designers’ inputs.
Who is the target customer for his design?
The end users of the clubhouse who are living in this residential development.
What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
With a total area of approximately 35,000 square feet, the clubhouse provides more than 32 indoor and 21 outdoor facilities for the residents to enjoy. Designed from a people-oriented perspective, the facilities fall into three themes: lifestyle facilities for ‘Leisurely Moments’, family facilities for ‘Fun-loving Moments’, and health facilities for ‘Rejuvenating Moments’. Together they satisfy the needs of the body, mind, and soul of residents for all ages and make the design unique.
How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
Vibe Centro is named by our client and means smack dab in the heart of the Kai Tak.
What is the most unique aspect of your design?
Boasting 32 facilities, the Vibe Centro clubhouse is vast. The most unique aspect and challenge was to design individual rooms so that each fits its primary function, while ensuring continuity throughout the clubhouse.
Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
We work with other professionals like architect, M&E consultant, lighting consultant etc.
What is the role of technology in this particular design?
The indoor cycling race
Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
We didn’t carry out any research for this design.
What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
One of the interesting challenges was to design individual rooms so that each fits its primary function, while ensuring continuity throughout the clubhouse. To achieve this, warm, earthy tones are used throughout the clubhouse, with pops of colours added to spaces that encourage interaction.
How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
As our company offers a full service package from design and build to procurement services and our dedicated team of professionals include talented experts in interior design, marketing, client servicing, project management and construction. We frequently submit outstanding completed projects to apply international awards to promote our brand.
What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.
