Japanese lantern–inspired Interior at SOGO Flagship, The Twins Kai Tak
- An immersive escalator journey linking a triple-height atrium to the Restaurant Park through lantern-like spatial volumes.
- Project: The Twins, TT Site Atrium, TT Site Hall
- Location:
- Hong Kong
- Architects:
- New Office Works (NOW)
- Executive Interior Designer: AGC Design Limited
- Typology:
- Interior Design, Mixed Use Architecture
- Area: 8746f²
- Images credit: Leon Xu Liang
Located within The Twins Kai Tak, the new flagship SOGO store houses the city’s largest Japanese-style department store. The project site sits in Tower I and features a long escalator connecting a triple-height atrium on the 10th floor to the Restaurant Park on the 12th floor.
The design transforms this vertical circulation zone into an immersive architectural experience. Inspired by the traditional Japanese engawa, a transitional space between interior and exterior, the journey shifts visitors away from the typical department store environment into a lantern-like spatial sequence. As visitors move through the space, the layered architecture evokes the sensation of walking inside a softly glowing lantern.
Adjacent to the atrium is TT SITE, a 25,000 sq ft multipurpose exhibition and event space also designed as part of the project and currently under construction.
Design Concept
The spatial sequence connecting the 10th-floor atrium and the 12th floor is defined by three distinct volumes. Each structure is formed from a timber grid infilled with backlit shoji panels, referencing the soft glow of traditional Japanese lanterns.
The first volume introduces a compressed scale, guiding visitors from the expansive atrium into a more intimate environment before the space gradually opens again toward the 12th-floor destination. This controlled shift in scale creates a clear spatial narrative along the escalator journey.
The shoji panels are constructed with slanted timber frames, producing contrasting spatial effects depending on the direction of movement. Looking upward emphasizes the solidity and warmth of wood, while looking downward highlights the translucency of shoji paper and diffused light. As a result, the experience of ascending and descending the escalator differs significantly.
Materials and Architectural Details
A series of design studies explored how lighting and material strategies could reinforce the transition between the 10th-floor atrium and the arrival level above.
At the atrium level, a colonnade formation and horizontal wall bands create visual openness, framing the entry to the escalator zone. As visitors move upward, the enclosure gradually increases, intensifying the immersive quality of the space.
Multiple facade and lighting approaches were tested during the design process, including treating the front facade as part of the wall surface, extending it into the ceiling plane, or emphasizing it as a distinct architectural feature. Additional studies examined whether lighting patterns should be integrated within the wall panel system or layered independently to create a richer spatial composition.
TT Site Hall: Flexible Multi-Purpose Event and Exhibition Space
TT Site Hall is designed as a highly adaptable multi-purpose hall capable of hosting sports events, pop-up showcases, exhibitions, and large public gatherings. The space prioritizes flexibility, allowing the venue to accommodate a wide range of event formats within a single architectural framework.
The main hall is defined by a discreet ceiling grid system that enables movable panels to slide and pivot. This mechanism allows the interior to be reconfigured into multiple spatial layouts depending on the event requirements. As a result, the hall can transition efficiently between different uses, from athletic competitions and temporary markets to art exhibitions and curated installations.
Supporting the main hall is a generous pre-function space designed to handle large visitor flows during major events. This gathering area features an arched ceiling that introduces a strong architectural identity while creating a more open and welcoming environment for guests before entering the main venue.
Together, the adaptable ceiling system and the clearly defined pre-function zone allow TT SITE to operate as a flexible cultural and event platform capable of supporting diverse programs throughout the year.
Design Architect: New Office Works
Executive Interior Designer: AGC Design Limited
Client: Leader Bright Limited
Program: Commercial Interior
Area: 812.56 sqm / 8746 sq ft
Location: Hong Kong, China
Photographer: Leon Xu Liang
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