successive bronze arches define 'house of madison' concept store by via. in hong kong

inter-disciplinary architecture and interior design practice via. has designed the interior of hong kong‘s multi-brand concept store ‘house of madison’ as a succession of bronze arches. a reinterpretation of the traditional shophouse typology, which characterizes the area, the new flagship explores the intersection of design, culture, and expressive living. the main entrance of the two-storey space, which is dedicated to home furnishings and lifestyle brands,  opens into an interior courtyard on the lower floor, where shallow arch lines and imposing metal-clad columns form a first impression.

‘the location is a rapidly changing area steeped in shophouse traditions,’ frank leung, founder and principal of via., explains. ‘to create a dialogue with the context, we envisaged the project as a existing townhouse, where the ground level becomes the public-facing component of the showroom, and a part of this community that evolves and changes as time goes on. the upper level is our interpretation of a refined living space for the shop’s sophisticated owners.’

all images by lit ma/common studio

beyond a traditional retail showroom, via. has developed the ground level of ‘house of madison’ as ‘the gallery’, an experimental platform designed to showcase a curation of lifestyle and design goods. there, a sculptural staircase built from beige limestone and hairline bronze balustrades forms the central element of the space. a grand landing and generous platforms allow the staircase to easily transform into a stage for discussions and public forums, with stepped seating for an audience. ascending with ‘the stairway’ is a double-height arch that draws attention upwards, where a backdrop of red bricks alludes to the sense of time and architectural significance.

the upper level is laid out like a lush penthouse, where ‘interactive’ and ‘private’ areas are differentiated with distinct aesthetic touches. on this floor, the arch is used as a recurring motif to establish striking visual layers. complete in bronze mesh treatment, these elements add an unusual sense of curiosity, revealing and concealing the immersive activities up ahead.

‘the arch is a subliminal reference to the house, whose brands trace to grand european heritage,’ adds leung. ‘at the same time, the arch is one of the most archaic, recognizable, and elemental architectural forms that relate to the concept a house. as opposed to the perceived solidity of the common arch, we see them as layers of veils, through the use of bronze metal mesh. a tremendous feat of engineering and detailing, the mesh is anchored with ultra-slim bronze frames. these curves complement perfectly the brands under the house.’

‘interactive’ areas upstairs include ‘the kokoro room’, an open bar and dining area executed in a contrast of dark and light timber notes, and ‘the meraki kitchen’, where the brand’s premium culinary range sits within the expansive kitchen space.  the ‘private’ quarters feature floor-to-ceiling glass panels and sliding screens that separate two enclosed spaces, including a rimadesio walk-in wardrobe, ‘the dressing room’, and ‘studio M’, a private dining room adjoining the kitchen that doubles as a material atelier. subtle material transitions across these areas, such as walls lined with kvadrat fabrics juxtaposed against light concrete and wooden finishes, elevate a tactile experience.

project info:

name: house of madison

architect: via.

lead architect: frank leung

team: wian lau, ali li, sally richardson

location: hopewell centre, hong kong

client: the madison group

size: 5,280 sqft