The Alchemist: A Sustainable Design Masterpiece

Enoch Hui's Award-Winning Office Design Inspired by an Alchemist's Tale

Enoch Hui, a renowned designer, has created a unique office design that is both sustainable and innovative. Named "The Alchemist," the design draws inspiration from a mythical tale of an alchemist who buried a bag of base metals under the moonlight, leading to the growth of a magnificent tree that reached up to heaven.

The design reflects the client's journey from a metal trading company to a leader in the trading of recycled metals and e-scraps. Hui has woven an organic "ribbon" around the working spaces, defining circulation volume in between. This "ribbon" is composed of thousands of recycled timber planks hinged with recovered metal works, chained and anchored to the floor, creating the illusion of a structure that has magically grown out of the ground.

The realization of this design required meticulous planning and execution. The entire space is formed by a series of recycled wood logs hanging from the ceiling with metal chains. The intersected anchor points had to be extremely accurate, requiring nearly 200 drawings for the contractor just for the production of the wooden feature. Each recycled wood log measures 100mm in width, height, and 2000mm in length.

The design offers a unique interactive experience. Upon entering the space, one can see through all rooms in between the gaps of intersected wood logs, offering a transforming view. The design also incorporates a metal locking system at the end of the metal chain to hang the wooden partition complex. This system can be unscrewed to dismantle the entire wooden partition complex for future office removal, ensuring the design's sustainability.

Despite the challenges of persuading the client to invest in such an ambitious design, especially in Hong Kong where office tenants typically stay in one space for around two years, the project was a success. The project, which started in November 2015 in Hong Kong and finished in February 2016, has been recognized with the prestigious Golden A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2017.

In conclusion, "The Alchemist" by Enoch Hui is a testament to the power of sustainable design and innovation. It is a unique workspace that not only serves its function but also tells a story and inspires with its commitment to sustainability and reuse. This design serves as a beacon for future office designs, proving that sustainability and aesthetics can coexist harmoniously.