Set on a rocky hillside overlooking the South China Sea in Shek-O, a historic fishing village in the southeast corner of Hong Kong Island, this house is designed to face the elements and bring in the stunning views of the coastal scenery. Seamless transitions from inside to outside merge the house into its landscape, while broad overhangs provide protection from the tropical sun and driving rains.

On the uphill side of the house, the formal entry is accessed via a large central courtyard with a reflecting pool. Flanking that dramatic central entry space are the more intimate portions of the house—the living and dining areas—with private quarters book-ending the single-level plan. A second pool runs along the ocean side of the house, visually merging with the water and island-studded coastline in the distance. An island in the South China Sea is framed, just off center, as the culmination of a sequential series of experiences.

Inspired by traditional Chinese architecture and furniture, the house uses a simple palette of materials—concrete, steel, wood, limestone and glass—relying on exacting detail and craftsmanship to provide the visual counterpoint.