The project comprises a row of eight residential, conservation shophouses in a red-light district. Owners had plans to combine the rear halves of the shophouses into a five-storey condomium slab block but, eventually, they were developed into a collection of flexibly designed residential spaces, which sometimes convert into free public art spaces where over 20 events have already been held, blurring the boundaries between public and private. The front halves of the shophouses were maintained, while allowing a new rear insertion with, if necessary, hydraulic micropiling as support. This provided the incremental area required for commercial viability. The idea was to introduce diversity and contrast in a micro-neighbourhood; behind each conservation façade a completely different spatial experience is found.

Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture