Para Site Storefront/Project Space ◦ Hong Kong ◦ 2019

HONG KONG
300 SF SHOPFRONT GALLERY/PROJECT SPACE
COMPLETED Q3 2019
Design through Completion

This new street-side presence, for a local non-profit art space, acts as a 'front door' for their main 22/F gallery. The tiny gallery opens up onto the street as much as possible with a slim 3.3m high storefront and large sliding doors, preferring to be seen as almost a continuation of the sidewalk rather than a standalone space. The subtle yet uniquely tiled edge at the sidewalk piques the curiosities of passers-by, calling their gaze upwards.

Spatially, the gallery navigates and turns the potentially awkward limitations of the site into unique opportunities. The small footprint and tall ceilings help create the effect of an oversized vitrine from the street, inviting to both the pedestrian and the tram rider. The varied angles between walls and key perspectives (such as along the sidewalk and from the MTR station) form a basis for the subtle aesthetics and geometries.

Taking into account Para Site's legacy rooted in the local Hong Kong arts scene, the facade takes the typical construction and composition of Hong Kong shopfronts as inspiration. Primarily, the purpose of this is to pay respect to (and experiment with) a typical local construction methodology and building type—and to signal the organisations pride in its heritage. The additional benefit of this strategy is that it leverages local know-how to minimize costs.

Finally, and in another attempt to capture the essence of this ever-changing organisation, this unusual storefront acts as a canvas. Neutral colours inspired by Para Site's existing brand image acts only as a starting point; unfussy paint jobs, unpretentious materials and multiple lighting options allow a level of simple flexibility and the possibility for easy and constant transformation.