Hong Kong practice Afloat Studio explores the liminal qualities of transitional spaces.
Founded in 2023 by architects Jessica Kong and Owen Lam, the studio dissolves boundaries to create immersive spatial experiences that marry built form with human interaction, while maintaining a focus on sustainability and urban relevance.
What was your proudest project of 2025?
Our proudest work is the Minimalist Sensibilities project at Grand Promenade. This was a journey of exploring lifestyle and artistic taste together with the clients. From our very first conversation, it was clear the client wanted simplicity with depth, not just bare-bones minimalism. We built everything around the principle of “simple, pure, but never thin,” from spatial layouts and lighting atmosphere to material textures, color choices, and furnishings. The result fits seamlessly into their daily rhythm while fully expressing what weve always emphasized: letting artistic sensibility naturally permeate everyday life. It created a home that feels both distinctive and refined. The project also received recognition at the Home Journal Awards, which really encouraged the team.
Whats your design philosophy?
We believe good design comes from accumulated real-life experience, not just stacking visual styles. Designers need to first cultivate standards, taste, and intentionality in their own lives. Everything from what you wear to the small objects in your home to which coffee cup you choose each morning becomes an aesthetic testing ground. By repeatedly observing, adjusting, and reflecting on these daily details, designers gain the ability to transform personal insights into more elevated spatial expression. So each project becomes more than just “completing a unit.” Its writing detailed, specific footnotes for a way of living. Thats the direction Afloat Studio has always maintained.
How do you keep your creativity alive?
Most of my inspiration doesnt come from the office. It emerges in the gaps and quiet moments throughout the city. I spend my free time walking around, camera in hand, noticing how buildings relate to each other in scale, how light and shadow shift across urban surfaces, how people interact with their spaces. These observations slowly settle into an intuitive understanding of space and aesthetics. Cities and people are constantly evolving, so as a designer, you need to stay sensitive and curious about your environment. Thats how you respond authentically to each new project instead of just repeating old formulas. This habit of staying connected to the city has become one of my most vital sources of creative energy.
