Home Modification for Low-income Families

Various locations, China

Video ©

After modification

Photo © Domat

Organised environment in small homes

Photo © Domat

Organised Storage

Photo © Domat

Furniture is moved with family to public housing

Photo © Domat

SDU Before Modification

Photo © Domat

Organised Storage

Photo © Domat

Modular Idea

Drawing © Domat

SDUs are subdivided from private apartments

Drawing © Domat

Part of the furniture is produced by New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association Sheltered Workshop

Photo © Domat

Collective Housing + Multiple Houses

arkkitehdit: DOMAT

Location: Various locations, China
Year: 2013
Team: Adabelle Poon, Adela Paul, Adeline Chan, Agnes Ng, Alex Loo, Allen Chan, Allison Li, Alvin Wong, Angel Yuen, Angus Chan, Ann He, Anthony Tai, Anson Wan, Ariel Yau, Ashley Ma, Bertha Leung, Bobby Lam, Brian Choi, Brian Tse, Calvin Liang, Captain Li, Cecilia Poon, Celia Tam, Cherry Wong, Chung Chuek Man, Cody Pang, Colin Hui, Colin Wong, Crystal Ho, Crystal Chau, Dada Wu, Daniel Cho, David Yu, Dennis Ho, Doris Lau, Echo Xiang, Edward Fung, Elaine Tsang, Elsie Kan, Elslie Cheung, Emily Fu, Emily Siu, Ernest Ng, Flora Wong, Frederick Lui, Gianfranco Galagar, George Lau, Gillian Ngan, Gladys Mak, Golfa Amara, Harrison Li, Hebe Lee, Hector Chan, Heidi Sum, Henry Hau, Hoi Shan Leung, Iris Andreadis, Iris Leung, Isa Au Tsui, Isabelle Gin, Ivy Wong, Jack Lo, James Palmer, Janice Lau, Jasmin Hodgson, Jasper Au, Jay Ng, Jenny Tang, Jessica Suen, Jessy Yau, Jo Shen, Joanna Wong, Joanna Fong, Johnny Lau, Jophy Fung, Juliette Sung, Julie Wang, Justin Yip, Kachung Kan, Karen Lee, Karmen Luk, Kelvin Chan, Kelvin Wong, Kelvin Yuen, Kenis Law, Kingsman Kwong, Kinson Tao, Krister Yeung, Kristo Leung, Krystal Lung, Lami Liang, Lo Hoi Yau, Luka Ng, Maggie Ma, Mandy Liu, Mandy Tsang, Marco Tai, Marcus Kwong, Mark Kingsley, Mark Leung, Melody Cam, Michael Chan, Miti Ng, Monique Wong, Nell Chan, Norris Koo, Pamela Wu, Pansy Wong, Pearl Chan, Perrie Chung, Perry Cho, Phoebe Tong, Puk Yin Lai, Ron Tse, Rosalia Leung, Rosa Chan, Ruby Chan, Rueben Choi, Sam Hui, Sam Chan, Samuel Chai, Savio Choy, Shannon Chow, Shuk Wun Li, Sophia Zhang, Soul Luk, Sabrina Li, Stefano Caglioni, Stephanie Tam, Stephanie Tung, Sunny Wu, Tanya Tsui, Tat Lam, Tiffany Chin, Tini Tang, Tsang Hon Pan, Tsang Tsz Kin, Val Chan, Veera Fung, Vicky Lee, Vincent Chuk, Vincent Lee, Vincent Tse, Vui Chong, Wanting Yim, Waiyin Law, Walter Chung, Wendy Lin, Wincy Kung, Wing Chan, Wing Leung Hui, Yvonne Yuen, YuYu Ng, Zeng Zeng Wong, Bella Wong, Hazel Chan, Karin Lai, Ophelia Lan, Sammi Chu, Yolanda Chau
Contractor: New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association Sheltered Workshop
Initiating Organization: Society for Community Organization (SoCO)

The project brings together architects and social workers to tackle the issue of wealth disparity in Hong Kong, where one in five of the population live in poverty. Renowned for high density living and exorbitant house prices, we are working with low-income families living in inadequate housing.

These families who await government subsidised housing have to seek low-cost housing in the private market, which offers very small spaces (about 10-15sqm per family) to rent. These are often in ‘subdivided units’ (SDUs) where the landlord divides an existing house into smaller self-contained flats to earn higher rent. The conditions are cramped and often unpleasant. In this project, we focus on homes for families with children, with the aim of enhancing their study environment at home to improve the long-term prospects of the family.

The design strategy provides modular furniture as a spatial tool to organise the home and utilise the high ceiling level. The furniture allows the families to be direct beneficiaries, rather than modifying the architectural space, which would be to the landlord’s advantage. When the family move to a new house, they can take the furniture with them. The furniture is made from blockboard with simple finishes for honesty of materials; being modular and lighter weight than plywood the family can carry them up and down stairs. The construction can last longer than flat-packed furniture and the families to rearrange or adapt the modules with simple tools to fit their new homes. To date, DOMAT has worked with over 300 families in this programme and gain experience in space creation and social understanding of the situation involved. It is not a solution to the housing problem, but hope to provide remedial measure for the transitional situation.