Hong Kong is known for its high living costs and small living spaces. According to Mercer's 22nd annual <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mercer.com" target="_blank" target="_blank">Cost of Living Survey</a>, Hong Kong is now the world's most expensive city for expats. The global consulting firm's findings, released this week, cover 209 cities across five continents and compare factors such as housing costs.
Hong Kong is known for its high living costs and small living spaces. According to Mercer's 22nd annual Cost of Living Survey, Hong Kong is now the world's most expensive city for expats. The global consulting firm's findings, released this week, cover 209 cities across five continents and compare factors such as housing costs.
PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Andy Knight and Michelle Tenant are new homeowners in Hong Kong. They recently purchased a 309-sqft apartment in the Asian metropolis.
Andy Knight and Michelle Tenant are new homeowners in Hong Kong. They recently purchased a 309-sqft apartment in the Asian metropolis.
ALEX OGLE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The pair purchased a small one bedroom apartment in one of the city's most expensive districts, Central.
The pair purchased a small one bedroom apartment in one of the city's most expensive districts, Central.
courtesy laab architects
"When Michelle and I decided to buy a place, we were looking for a convenient location," Knight explains.
"When Michelle and I decided to buy a place, we were looking for a convenient location," Knight explains.
courtesy laab architects
They hoped to convert the "cramped" space into a transforming apartment -- one that could fit multiple amenities.
They hoped to convert the "cramped" space into a transforming apartment -- one that could fit multiple amenities.
courtesy laab architects
They commissioned Hong Kong-based LAAB architects to convert the tiny living space into a tech-savvy new home. "We told them what we wanted, and they walked away in shock because they didn't think it was possible. But they made it work, and we stepped back and watched the magic happen," says Knight.
They commissioned Hong Kong-based LAAB architects to convert the tiny living space into a tech-savvy new home. "We told them what we wanted, and they walked away in shock because they didn't think it was possible. But they made it work, and we stepped back and watched the magic happen," says Knight.
courtesy laab architects
"In expensive cities like Hong Kong, every square foot is that much more costly," says Knight. "So we thought, we're better off investing in an efficient transforming refurbishment that could make a small space more liveable."
"In expensive cities like Hong Kong, every square foot is that much more costly," says Knight. "So we thought, we're better off investing in an efficient transforming refurbishment that could make a small space more liveable."
courtesy laab architects
The new design now includes a big kitchen, home cinema, a bathroom fitted with a bathtub, a guest room and also has pet-friendly amenities for the couple's three cats.
The new design now includes a big kitchen, home cinema, a bathroom fitted with a bathtub, a guest room and also has pet-friendly amenities for the couple's three cats.
LAAB Architects/Sootage Visual
The convertible living room space fits eight people comfortably. The couch transforms into a two-tiered seating area, turning the living room into a home cinema.
The convertible living room space fits eight people comfortably. The couch transforms into a two-tiered seating area, turning the living room into a home cinema.
LAAB Architects/Sootage Visual
"There's no one thing that stands on its own, it all works together," Tennant says. "I can't believe they turned a crummy space into somewhere that is this comfortable. It's not big, but it feels big."
"There's no one thing that stands on its own, it all works together," Tennant says. "I can't believe they turned a crummy space into somewhere that is this comfortable. It's not big, but it feels big."
LAAB Architects/Sootage Visual
The space features a large kitchen, which was one of the most important inclusions in the renovated space for Michelle Tennant. "I cook often, so I wanted to have the space for a full-size oven."
The space features a large kitchen, which was one of the most important inclusions in the renovated space for Michelle Tennant. "I cook often, so I wanted to have the space for a full-size oven."
LAAB Architects/Sootage Visual
The architects created furnishings in the house that served multiple purposes. "The idea behind the design is that we divided the space by introducing elements with different functions," says Otto Ng, the design director at LAAB Architects. Here, a wall division doubles as a personal vanity.
The architects created furnishings in the house that served multiple purposes. "The idea behind the design is that we divided the space by introducing elements with different functions," says Otto Ng, the design director at LAAB Architects. Here, a wall division doubles as a personal vanity.
LAAB Architects/Sootage Visual
"Space is a luxury for Hong Kong people, so we thought, let's maximize it," explains Ng.
"Space is a luxury for Hong Kong people, so we thought, let's maximize it," explains Ng.
LAAB Architects/Sootage Visual
Several functions in the home, like lighting and locks, can be controlled from phone apps.
Several functions in the home, like lighting and locks, can be controlled from phone apps.
LAAB Architects/Sootage Visual
"We can decide whether we want to have warm natural light to wake up to or disco lights when we have friends over," says Knight.
"We can decide whether we want to have warm natural light to wake up to or disco lights when we have friends over," says Knight.
LAAB Architects/Sootage Visual