New Office Works transforms a former airport precinct into a floating garden at The Cullinan, layering social and serene landscapes across two elevated levels overlooking Victoria Harbour.

Please tell us about the site context.

Once Hong Kong’s international airport, Kai Tak has transformed into a dense residential district. Within this intensified urban fabric, our intention was to carve out a space where daily life could unfold within a natural environment.

Located at the heart of the residential complex, the garden spans approximately 24,000-square-feet across two levels. Rather than simply filling the space with greenery, we sought to activate it through layered programs. The concept is guided by three keywords: organic, fluid and archipelago.

The paving flows in winding textures, with varied stone surfaces intertwining into curves that form “islands” and “streams.” These islands host different activities — party areas, playgrounds, fitness zones and quiet corners for reflection — allowing the garden to feel both continuous and differentiated.

Can you tell us about the client and the brief?

Situated between the 30th and 31st floors of The Cullinan, the clubhouse and garden float among residential towers, framed by Lion Rock to the north and Victoria Harbour to the south. The brief was to create a Sky Garden that offers residents a unique encounter with nature at height — a space that feels removed from the density below while remaining deeply connected to its surroundings.

What were the key spatial, material and structural decisions?

The garden is divided into two distinct levels: the 30th floor as the “Social Space” and the 31st floor as the “Serene Space.”

The 30th floor is more open and communal, hosting multifunctional courts, a leisure garden, party zones and shared tables. At night, soft lighting filters through vegetation, creating layered shadows reminiscent of a park landscape.

The 31st floor adopts a quieter rhythm. Existing shear walls from the apartment structure form intimate “rooms.” Wooden flooring and rammed earth walls introduce warmth, while green walls and suspended plantings cultivate calm. This level includes a tea room, reading area, yoga studio and children’s playground. The two levels are connected by a curved central staircase and a “Landing Lounge,” reinforcing the sense of moving between floating islands.

The transition from active to tranquil operates like two breaths — a shift in tempo that supports resident wellbeing.

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What functional requirements shaped the design?

A central ambition was to blur the boundary between indoor and outdoor. Resting areas are immersed in planting, while shared amenities such as the open kitchen and communal dining table sit just steps from the playground. The spatial arrangement encourages overlap between daily routines, fostering both spontaneity and comfort.

What moments stand out most to you?

We aimed to create an architecture that feels psychologically light, beyond its physical form. The flowing pathways, soft materials and swaying planting create a sense of buoyancy — as though the garden itself is gently suspended above the city.

New Office Works
newofficeworks.com

Photographer
Courtesy of New Office Works