Images courtesy of The Madison Group

The Madison Group, a global company representing luxury home furnishing and lifestyle brands, collaborated with prolific architects and designers to execute The Dollhouse Project. What started as a fun project quickly evolved into a platform, where designers and architects flexed their artistic muscle and showcased dreams and visions of future dwellings.

Participants of the project were Neri&Hu, Philip Liao & Partners, Alan Chan Design Company, Eric Schuldenfrei and Marisa Yiu of ESKYIU, Frank Leung of via., and Norman Chan of BTR Workshop Ltd, who collectively explored aesthetic, socio-political, environmental and philosophical perspectives.

Currently on exhibit, the ‘bespoke dollhouses’ will be auctioned to support local causes. Here’s a rundown of the various interpretations.

“ONE-CHILD POLICY” by Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu, Neri&Hu

“ONE-CHILD POLICY” by Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu, Neri&Hu

A portrait of the modern Chinese family reads like this: father, mother and child trapped in close quarters. Over three decades later, China’s controversial one-child policy – originally introduced in 1978 – may have relaxed but resulting issues continue to prevail. Neri&Hu’s dollhouse is an abstract visualisation of issues such as the “little emperor” syndrome, elderly care burden and the decline of labour forces.

“ROSY” by Frank Leung, via.

“ROSY” by Frank Leung, via.

Rosy is Frank Leung’s exploration of the relationship between form and space. Named after its soft and approachable rose-gold sheen, Rosy is composed of three identical folded modules that are rotated and merged in three directions. Forming different perspectives, the walls turn into ceiling, transform into floors, creating an “Escher-like illusion that speaks of the infinite possibilities of future home living.”

“ROSY” by Frank Leung, via.

The outer surface is treated with a hairline brushed texture in contrast with a raw and unfinished interior. Rosy’s appearance will evolve through oxidation and human touch.

“SENSORY MACHINE” by Eric Schuldenfrei and Marisa Yiu, ESKYIU

“SENSORY MACHINE” by Eric Schuldenfrei and Marisa Yiu, ESKYIU

ESKYIU’s abstract dollhouse represents a home concept that uses a smart network of digital systems integrated with natural systems that improve home living, such as efficient cooling elements or clean air filters.

The designers believe that sensory mechanics and energy saving methods can be embodied into buildings, as technology evolves. For dense cities like Hong Kong, communal amenities can provide active social spaces, extending one’s dwelling beyond the home.

“THE BRIDGE” by Alan Chan, Alan Chan Design Company

“THE BRIDGE” by Alan Chan, Alan Chan Design Company

Alan Chan’s colourful dollhouse utilises blocks of varying materials to form a “multi-faith house of worship in the shape of the Chinese character for bridge.” The designer believes that in spite of the differences we share, humanity is unified by “metaphorical “bridges” of human connections”, where each person is a “bridge” to another.

“VISION ALIGNED” by Philip Liao, Philip Liao & Partners Ltd.

“VISION ALIGNED” by Philip Liao, Philip Liao & Partners Ltd.

Made with fine Carrara marble, Visioned Aligned is an abstraction of the household, typically the coming together of two individuals, each bearing their own perspective, but despite their differences, discover a common ground. Both sculptural pieces makes a conceptual statement when placed together.

“UNTITLED” by Norman Chan, BTR Workshop Ltd.

“UNTITLED” by Norman Chan, BTR Workshop Ltd.

UNTITLED by Norman Chan is a deconstructed cube that defines the perimeters of space with “vertical elements that convey scale, proportion and materiality.” A stone doll suspends in the center of solid wood paired with brushed copper.

The Dollhouse Project is currently exhibited at the House of Madison, 2/f, 8 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong, until September 2015.

The Madison Group
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