COLLECTIVE , in collaboration with many others, has designed the Agora fine-dining restaurant in Hong Kong, China.

Tai Kwun (the old Central Police Station) is a declared monument in Hong Kong and the winner of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Cultural Heritage Conservation Award for Excellence.

The building is highly protected by the Antiquities Ordinance and any existing stone and brick alterations or fixtures are strictly prohibited.

This project was to transform the 4-metre-wide, 30-metre-long former prison into a 26-seat high-end Spanish restaurant.

The design of the Agora restaurant required extreme restraint where the design team paid strict attention to the cultural heritage space and priority was given to presenting the remaining granite columns and masonry structures.

All custom-made dining tables and chef's workstations in the project are made of red marble, providing a touch of Spanish Mediterranean luxury throughout the space.

This project has been shortlisted in the restaurant and bar interior category of Dezeen Awards China 2023.

Studio: COLLECTIVE
Project: Agora
Credits: Jia Group, Betty Ng, Bill Yeung, Chi Yan Chan, Dillon Ng, Juan Minguez, Together Contracting, Kvadrat Textile, ViaBizzuno, Kevin Mak and 1 Km Studio