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Contempo is located within a renovated industrial building with a brick facade.

Lounge seats in the cafe.
The two studio floors are linked by a feature staircase, lined entirely in
warm Scandinavian timber and crafted with a double-layered, angular
balustrade. Contempo’s upper level is a multi-purpose gallery and
event space. Conceived as an extension of the workspace to showcase
the team’s artistic talents, and to welcome creative partnerships, the
gallery houses commissioned artworks alongside sculptural pieces
and furniture designs. Internal swing and sliding doors flexibly turn
the space into a standalone venue for exhibitions or intimate dinners,
free from the distractions of other work areas. A striking retail display
showcases the range of lifestyle goods developed by the studio’s
artistic arm, one k edition, and is set in the corner of the gallery with
textured green walls and terrazzo floor.

The fixed inventory within the office was designed in-house, from
walls and shelves upholstered in fabrics, kitchen units, cabinets and
storage built to suit the needs of designers, to crafted details such as
milled wood door handles. Demonstrating a passion for authentic
craft and function, the furniture range includes contemporary
classics from Artek, Karimoku Case Study, Nikari, and Benjamin
Hubert’s collection, as well as bespoke pieces that are given a softened
touch by Kvavdrat fabrics.

Photography credit: Kenneth Chao

About via.
Established in 2009, via. is an interdisciplinary architecture and
interior design practice based in Hong Kong. Led by founder and
principal, Frank Leung, the studio’s award-winning portfolio includes
residential, hospitality, commercial, and cultural projects throughout
Asia. Driven by the curiosities of life and a continual quest for beauty,
via.’s designs are imbued with an emotional resonance tailored to
each project’s locale, purpose, and aspirations. dw

www.via-arc.com/project/contempo/

dw • Issue 258 77