Reviving History: K11 Musea's Muse Edition

Blending History and Modernity in a Unique Retail Space

K11 Musea's Muse Edition is a unique retail space located in the historic Holt's Wharf in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. The project, which started in 2016 and was completed in August 2019, was inspired by the site's history as a dockyard. The design team, led by Adrian Cheng, Founder of K11 Group and Executive Vice-Chairman of New World Development, and 1:1 design, sought to preserve the site's architectural character while transforming it into a modern retail arcade.

The Muse Edition's design is a testament to the site's history and the city's development. The entrance flooring, made of 100 thousand pine wood blocks, gives the feeling of stepping on ship-decks. The open ceiling, a feature retained from the original architecture, allows for a view of the concrete waffle ceiling. This ceiling, also known as a waffle slab, is embedded with 273 LED panels, programmed to resemble the outdoor weather of sunshine and tempest during navigation on sea.

Materials such as concrete, brass, and stainless steel were used in the redesign to maintain a sense of the original architecture's industrial and rustic character. The interior area of the Muse Edition is about 3,000 sq.m., and the space is filled with specially curated pieces and edgy collections from the world’s most current cult-status brands and up-and-coming designers.

The project faced challenges in retaining the site's architectural features and handling the balance of old and new elements. The site's location next to the harbor also posed a risk of corrosion due to shore wind and high humidity. Despite these challenges, the Muse Edition successfully blends the building’s past and present, creating a retail environment that resembles a world-class museum.

The Muse Edition was awarded Silver in A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2020. This prestigious award is given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation, and the Muse Edition certainly fits this description. With its blend of history and modernity, the Muse Edition offers a unique retail experience that is both a tribute to the past and a vision of the future.