Small Zen family Hong Kong apartment - 45sqm/484sqft

[@treshapizon6043]

When he said, the world doesn't only lack on space but also imagination. I'd love to butt in "we lack money too".

[@janeclarkson8471]

We need great small places to live for the majority, who are on minimum wage! These are NEVER taken into account. While these are good designs I'll bet they're light years away from the price Joe and Jane Bloggs could dream of! Always a bridesmaid, never a bride eh??!!

[@Losshe]

There's a Chinese KZbin channel called "Kanamono girls". They organize and transform the rooms using renter friendly ways. You should check them out. Even without the subtitles it's easy to understand what they did. They have so many amazing ideas that doesn't need renovation nor cost a lot of money. They have a lot of smart space saving solutions, and it's so satisfying to see how they found room for all the clutter the owner has and make the same space so much bigger, tidier and organized. It's one of my favorite house makeover channels!

[@schauschau2552]

@@Losshe thanks for the recommendation!

[@k80_]

Yeah with the economic issues in hk especially regarding housing this just comes off as tone deaf…

[@Stan_sprinkle]

@@StudioStarkid having a maid in HK, or many southeast Asian countries, is pretty common and not really a sign of “obscene “ wealth. I lived in Singapore for several years and even modest apartments often have maid’s quarters built in, usually integrated to the kitchen

[@hulagaga]

I lived in HK for a few years and once lived in an apartment with the same under floor storage. It is just such a pain, a nightmare when it comes to cleaning. HK environment is super humid so the surfaces of each wall of the underfloor compartments gets moldy always!! The kind of closed storage space creates perfect warmth and humidity for molds to grow. When you clean you have to be on all fours to mop each of the moldy walls. It's back hurting! And just imagine the trouble to move the seat cushions and all the things aside just to open One compartment. Besides, dust fall in the grooves is difficult to clean too! If anyone think that kind of storage is a good idea, think again!!

[@slowliving2041]

That's what maid for. The one that lives in laundry/drying room. I am so glad I don't live in hongkong.

[@Losshe]

Thank you for the feedback! I've seen quite a few renovations like this in China and always wondered how they function in real life

[@karlklo8122]

Imagine spilling any liquid on the living room 😱

[@rebeccasnchan]

They need to stop showcasing properties with floor storage!!

[@wwaxwork]

I noticed the dehumidifiers everywhere. Small rooms like that can't be great for airflow.

[@aaclovern9804]

Imagine spilling things into floor storage. I think hidden storage in the floor would work in bedroom but not in spaces that are actively used for eating/hanging around.

[@cv990a4]

This is like a habitation pod on a starship journey to Mars...

[@michoangelo1016]

Exactly. I get the idea of floor storage, but for the whole living room?

[@Sn0wButterfly]

Viewers: We'd like to see small spaces for lower income families that are actually practical and somewhat achievable for us, please! NTS: Here's a space that likely costs more than any of you will earn in a lifetime where the maid sleeps in the cupboard and we'll brush over it like it's fine. Also, here's a tote bag we're selling.

[@AndroidBguz5]

This one was great but for Hong Kong it’s technically like a mansion and probably costs like one, so I agree.

[@ysbyttybedbug]

I thought at first that the maid was supposed to sleep there, but when they showed it, I think it was rather the maid’s workspace (laundry) and equipment storage place. Hope so!

[@Sn0wButterfly]

@@ysbyttybedbug I hope so too. I think NTS needs to clarify this.

[@rebeccasnchan]

I'm sorry to say, I think that is where the maid would be sleeping...

[@patrickmalejana3564]

Yes, unfortunately the maid part is such a turn off. It's a necessary part but we just brush it off to the side. That maids room prolly doesn't even have ac either

[@eheadso3o7o9]

this is a lovely and efficient design but as the others pointed out in the comments section, the living condition of a live-in maid in HK baffles me. they have that much space for the master's bedroom but a miniature for a maid? wow. i hope that's a utility closet instead of a living quarters of a housekeeper.

[@MC-ko2mx]

Some are abused, overworked, have their passports and/ or official documents confiscated by their employers, and the list goes on. This maid may very well consider herself "lucky", to even have a "room", even though it seems to be doubling as a laundry/ storage space. Not excusing it, but that's how some employers treat their maids. Not just in HK, but other parts of Asia and the Middle East too, where live-in domestic helpers are common.

[@Prathik1989]

It was odd because they didnt just say it was for the maid but also a laundry lol. Like.. "heres a misc room with all the junk in it". Typical.

[@MC-ko2mx]

@@wellhello1603 To be fair, it does sound like this kind of set up is "normal" in HK. It certainly is in South East Asia, where I'm from. Tiny room (you can usually touch both walls with arms outstretched), mattress on floor, sparsely furnished, next to the laundry or kitchen etc. However, considering NTS' global audience, they should have added a statement of sorts preceding the video. Or at least responded to comments calling on them to clarify the maid's living arrangement.

[@eheadso3o7o9]

@@wellhello1603 Exactly. I'm pretty much aware of the living conditions of domestic helpers abroad and the last thing I thought I'd ever witness is how a self-proclaimed innovative, progressive, and pro-sustainability channel is accepting how normal this set-up is for helpers. Modern day slavery is much worse because one would think at this day and age we should have known better but disappointingly, that's not the case.

[@Livewithlovehj]

@@MC-ko2mx I was born in Hong Kong and I can testify this is not "normal" in HK. My parents used a separate and normal sized single room as maid's room, and it is where they keep their own belongings, enjoy some down time, and eat their meals. It is not big but more than enough for someone to sleep comfortably. When my maid went back to her home country, my parents gave that room to ME. We loved our maid and cried when she had to leave. I have observed other families and mostly gave a proper room for the maid. We never know how the sleeping arrangement is as it is all behind closed doors, no one will know. People saying that is used as a utility room were just believing the "vague statement" of Never Too Small. Most families in Hong Kong are required to provide a room for maid, so that's why it is quite astonishing to see this "maid's room" arrangement.

[@MaxTerrazos]

The design of the dining table, with standard height chairs for older people like the grandmother and with bar stools for the young couple, is amazing.

[@dailybusiness8162]

@@TheJensPeeters Agreed. 😉

[@janeclarkson8471]

Far far, from “amazing” 👎

[@lt5197]

I really wish I could adore this design, lots of creativity and effort in solving the storage problem. But it seems painful to keep these storages clean with all the dust, mold, liquid, insects...that will fall down there. Plus I'm not sure how long the floor can last considering they're literal closet doors that 3-4 people step on everyday. The house also is too white, it doesn't feel home-like anymore. The maid room is :( another sad subject.

[@w.b.5583]

NTS said in another comment thread that the maid doesn’t live in there

[@dataexpunged6969]

@@w.b.5583 Yeah but other comments replied and it's obvious that NTS is only doing damage control. Why tf would there be an AC there if no one sleeps there? And a wall AC at that. We all know what's the truth. And other commenters from HK also said that these inhumane conditions are very prevelant in HK Also its a LAW in HK for maids to live with their employers. So ya. That's where she sleeps.

[@AlphineWolf]

@@dataexpunged6969 yes but as maids do have time off some spend their day off cleaning for other people as well. My uncle's old maid comes around every month and does a top to bottom cleaning for him. She works for another employer in HK but comes around to help her old employer with cleaning. Lately she's been busy so she sent a colleague of hers to help him. Of course he does pay her generously for the trouble.

[@AlphineWolf]

Better to have it overhead as a loft rather than underfoot

[@taekin9781]

@@AlphineWolf what's the point of your comment? to let us know even on their time off they're working?

[@agromchung]

Cool design but maybe try not to feature designs that promote inhumane living conditions for unskilled workers?

[@magolago7680]

you mean “unskilled” because that job requires experience to do well

[@janeclarkson8471]

The inhumanity is horrendous and the design is RIDICULOUS and user “Unfriendly” . A nightmare rubbish design. Who cares about “ 😎 “ ?

[@j.b.5230]

Good to see the maintaining of the second/ third class citizen approach to live-in maids. Where do they sleep and relax? On a table over storage and below drying clothes. Brilliant and so human.

[@donna6407]

The maids room makes harry potter’s old room look luxurious

[@evildaemonlover]

How does that maid room even work? If she sleeps there, where does she sleep? On the odd shaped platform? On the kitchen floor?

[@MC-ko2mx]

On the floor, on a skinny rollup mattress, is my guess.

[@waugse]

It breaks my heart that the maid is being denied a bed. She is human and she works hard, she deserves a soft bed to rest in after a long day. Why are people so cruel towards their staff? It really doesn't require that much money or effort to provide basic comfort like a bed to another human being. I used to live in the middle east and the maids there were being mistreated and abused too. One family proudly told me that they didn't beat their staff. While the family was living in great luxury, the maid was shoved in a mouldy room without paint and water dripping down from a leaking pipe on her mattress. She also only got ramen-noodles to eat, no fresh meat or vegetables, ever. I don't know how she could even survive on that diet. She had no days off, no weekends, and I recall many instances of the lady of the household calling her after midnight so she would serve her a bottle of water from the fridge that the lady was sitting next to anyway. The maid worked so hard and was so kind. She was not allowed to leave the house, ever, except when accompanying the family (not as a family member but so they could use her services as a nanny, servant etc wherever they went). I hope she got her passport back and was able to return home to her family eventually. So many never get to return.

[@jama211]

@@paulfalconealicefang2888 WHY ARE YOU STILL NOT ANGRY?

[@hperezn]

It’s not about making serfdom more ‘humane’. These shitty jobs (almost always women, migrants, young) need to be outlawed. Do you own cleaning.

[@rosiekapun207]

Sounds more like human trafficking or slavery rather than what is housekeeper work :(

[@apseudonym]

she clearly doesn't live in the house

[@bonbonS1969]

@@apseudonym trust and believe, she does

[@realmofthesenses]

Beautiful and efficient as it is, all I can think of is the maid. | Watching almost exactly a year later as it comes back in my feed, and reading the comments I now understand the maid's room may be just a utilities room for washing, ironing etc. However, it is stated that this kind of living space for the maid is usual in HK for domestic help from abroad, usually young women from the Philippines, Indonesia etc. By law they have to live with their employer. A local woman would possibly live elsewhere, in her own HK home. The living and working conditions of the maid are still the most intriguing aspect of this video. Esp. since thousands and thousands of foreign Asian girls are living in modern slavery conditions and situations.

[@beyourself7428]

This looks like the Coastal Skyline, a relatively new apartment complex in Tung Chung (a newly developed area), HK. The cost of such a unit should be around USD $2400/sqft, roughly 1.2-1.3 million USD for the 45 sqm/484 sqft apartment. Just to give you an idea of HK housing price. Absolutely gorgeous view, design, and video.

[@WlerickBigotOfficial]

Yeah, that's what I thought -_- Thanks for the info tho =) Those houses and appartments are for Millionaires, not regular people.

[@TheUniverseExists]

That price is not as high as I would expect. I don’t think it includes the architectural costs as well as all the best things this home is capable of. I expect the 1.3 mil for the “before” version of the apt

[@ReyoVR]

@@TheUniverseExists The price is relatively low because the apartment is almost 20 years old and is remote. These are selling for around 8M HKD (1.1M USD) right now. Newer establishments or those in more developed area are usually 1.5 to 2 times more expensive.

[@k80_]

Woah thanks for doing that math. This place feels like the house from parasite or something especially when you see the maids room…..

[@samuellee3980]

This reminds me of Singapore, where a 60sqm private apartment usually goes for about USD 1 million, our public housing is also not that affordable with a ~80sqm place can go for ~USD500,000 as well

[@soujo2006]

The space feels more sterile than zen to me with the lack of contrasting textures and colours. Many comments about the cramped sleeping quarter for the maid. It’s a major social problem in Hong Kong where real estate prices are astronomical and families are often squeezed into tiny apartments, and maids are made to sleep in cupboard-like spaces. This is very common and this example is actually much better than most in that there’s a window and access to fresh air. Sad but true.

[@benouverse]

The optimized storage is so overwhelming that it feels like just accumulating unnecessary items at this point! The design is stunning, but it would give me a headache to live in! I like small spaces for their purer and more clutter-free aspects.

[@sober_october]

Exactly! The living room feels more like an aircraft cabin where every inch has to be optimised for effective storage management.

[@laukenneth6575]

worse design i ever seen

[@michoangelo1016]

@@sober_october Polar opposite of Zen

[@PareWorks]

The concept is great but the execution is lacking; things are hidden but the overall feeling is cluttered. This kind of concept usually requires clean lines and minimal seams.

[@eeenyc5959]

Yes, I did not like al the seams...but the views were at least nice...Yet would not want my bed against a window.

[@JAHistheONE]

Completely agree, this space is too small for all that storage. For one to live in a small space they have to have a minimalist mindset or approach.

[@vinmark5246]

exactly what I think!

[@PowerControl]

And the reduced height also makes it a little bit claustrophobic.

[@danbeltechi2285]

NEVER too small? The maid would beg to differ. (If she is required to stay overnight in the "maid's room/laundry," her living conditions are inhumane; regardless of cultural differences.)

[@Livewithlovehj]

That design failed to provide a reasonable space for the maid. So it is “Really Too Small” for me this time.

[@TripleTuner]

Space efficiency isn't everything. This appartment will have so many running costs, since every motor can fail and with so many gaps everywhere it will get really dirty after a while. Energy efficiency is also important and with so much unnessacary features (someone in the comments said the table in the middle does not have to be electric for example), the running costs are high and it honestly feels a bit like a spaceship. Very clean and elegant solutions, but not very comfortable and cozy in my oppinion and that is the most important aspect of a living space I think.

[@radwanmosa]

Absolutely agree with what you said, it feels very cold. Function isn't everything, there isn't anything represent art in this space. No colors, no decorations, no focal point. I feel sorry for the kids who will live in this space

[@pauldeguzman2353]

Never Too Small recently did a series on possibilities for inclusive, humane, and sustainable living spaces. Now they don't see anything wrong about featuring an apartment where a human being is basically forced to live inside a utility closet, right next to the washing machine.

[@wwaxwork]

On top of the washing machine. With the drying laundry hanging over her sleeping space. The rest of the space looked great and it was an interesting design, loved the kids room I liked little touches like drawers inthe benches, but man that poor maid sleeping over and under the laundry and kids toys left a sour taste in my mouth.

[@sersabio3401]

Also the door is a pocket door frosted glass-- What about full privacy? What if the family is up later than the maid and lights are on in the kitchen/living room? Scarily inhumane.

[@fshbulb1]

Did he specify that they had a live-in maid? I assumed maid's room was another term for the laundry area

[@MC-ko2mx]

@@sersabio3401 It's not unknown for employers to confiscate passports, to purportedly "prevent" maids from absconding. I'm not suggesting that is the case with this family. But I'm just pointing out that rights we take for granted such as autonomy, and yes, privacy, aren't widespread in other countries.

[@MC-ko2mx]

@@fshbulb1 Most maids in HK are live in. The family appears to have a young son. I am assuming they would want a live in maid, to provide round-the-clock childcare.

[@menjadi9]

There is nothing zen about this design, except the name.

[@johngosullivan]

Never too small? Tell that to the live-in maid, sleeping in a laundry room under drying clothes. This is the first video I've seen on this channel that has made me uncomfortable.

[@lilysqueen6918]

Well maid is probably on minimum wage so it's her fault for failing in money

[@youparejo]

@@lilysqueen6918 are you serious

[@iorekiofur1745]

@@lilysqueen6918 blame the maid eh? Those owners are lazy AF and takes advantage of people. You basically letting the maid sleep on top of you washer. You’re still alive but your souls are already burning in hell 🤬

[@massabranca]

They didn't even show the interior of the maid's room. It's just so dehumanizing... very awkward and not at all an inspiration.

[@waijaywong2176]

That's the harsh reality of hong kong because of what the British allowed 4 real estate rich families to own hong kong and profit on selling as much money as they can get for each small apartment that their family can build

[@alcea13]

very confused about the maid room/storage but overall i think i would love to live in house like this! EDIT2ND: NTS has clarified that the maid dont live with the owners inside the apartment. edit1st: i didnt expect my comment to gain much interactions but im very thankful for all the informative replies! it was really educational and mind boggling. its sad to know the living situations of maids in Hongkong and i hope it really gets better 😭😭

[@emills767]

I am too. I think the maid's room is just for working? And she doesn't live there?

[@chloewong3439]

@@emills767 no maids in Hong kong live at home they usually have only a tiny living space

[@kubaszku]

Hi! Housekeepers (mostly from Philippines or Indonesia) in Hong Kong usually live with families which make them working whole day with no breaks. For most of them only day off is Sunday and their rooms are usually located at storages. Unfortunately it’s the same case in this example. Personally I don’t find anything special about this flat in comparison to many others I saw in this channel.

[@debzeb6899]

Low income economy - an actual maid would live in that room, likely an immigrant from Philippines. One day off a week, paid about $US125 a week and, if lucky, sent home for the holidays three weeks a year. Eats from the family kitchen, uses their wifi, no rent and saves for years. Many women in this position never have children and are the (moderately) well off aunt in the village when they return. It's a gamble - sometimes families are receiving their wages and wasting the money but other times they get land and a house.

[@ninabax]

I am, too. It looks like storage and not a room at all.

[@samanthachia1491]

I appreciate how efficient this is, but it feels cold and impersonal, which doesn't make the space very welcoming. Just my opinion. Still, great job!

[@geh8553]

Agree with you. Absolutely clever ideas but it lacks warmth for a home.

[@k80_]

I think part of it is that with the storage trapdoors needing to be clear at all times, floor decorations like rugs and lamps are impossible

[@markusbg8]

I agree. Feels cold

[@NurseVale33]

Really? I did love it 😍

[@jayw3197]

An Idea that is limited by imagination. Not impressed with the maid's "room" that is also the laudarett and drying room. Absolutely dismay that the designer didn try to change use of space. The owner gets to keep lots of junks in the new smaller apartment. And everyone will sleep and walk on the junks. Hmm..nop...not brilliant. Just my critical opinion. I would be surprised that this comment get posted. If it does,....Hi everyone! Give me an indication if u can read this.

[@QuickQuips]

This is a good mix between capacity and convenience. Making the floor storage and also a place to sit down thanks to a rising dining table is brilliant.

[@Tricia_K]

I was thinking, wow, this is amazing - until we were ever-so-briefly introduced to the cupboard/maid's room...😦😞

[@Nihal-wx3th]

same, it is kinda modern slavery🤮🤯

[@dianalove2014]

The house is anything but zen..

[@kaksha17]

Did they remove it? I was not able find this

[@ingridl1006]

Thats why I think lowly of Hong Kong. There is so much abuse, there are so many horror stories once you scratch the surface just slightly. Its disgusting how a non-family human being can be asked to live. Plus how much of a failure of a human do you have to be to not be able to take care of your family and a tiny apartment.

[@Mrjudsonjames]

I was under the impression that that was the maids room in name, as in the maid comes in, and everything she needs to clean is in that room. It’s not an actual sleeping quarters! She lives offsite.

[@LearnWithRonnie]

I rarely comment on any of your videos, I find all of them amazing! Obviously this one has lots of issues, especially the storage. But what I want to ask those who designed this is if they knew there will be 4 people living in this space... 5 including the grandmother who visits to take care of the kid. Seems like the aesthetics matter more than the usability of the space. Those who intend to watch this video would find it useful if they can see the dislikes first.

[@elliotcheung682]

How does the maid sleep? Hong Kong is known for small spaces and living conditions for live-in help is often inhumane. Hong Kong is notorious for mistreating help. It seems necessary to explain how live-in help live as well... It doesn't provide details of the maid's bed and that seems sketchy.

[@ckwong3754]

Never too small for all the stuff they have, but no room for the poor maid…

[@tenga3tango]

The maid can hang upside down in the clothes cabinet and sleep like a bat. I wont be surprised if HONGKONG evolved into their denizens having to sleep vertically in a sleep pod in the future.

[@sarabenali7996]

@@tenga3tango should I feel bad for laughing?

[@Jean980]

When he says maid room, he means cleaning and laundry room

[@ckwong3754]

@@Jean980 According to the law in HK, If a domestic helper is caught living out, the consequences for both the employer and domestic helper can be very serious. As the employer, you could be fined up to HK$150,000, imprisoned, and lose your right to hire a domestic helper in the future. Domestic helpers are likely to be imprisoned, deported, and banned from working in Hong Kong ever again.

[@aebbingeable]

@@Jean980 is that a thing to call it that in Hong Kong? Never heard it ^^

[@LitteJeanie]

Not loving the concept the maid has to live in a tiny storage facility like an after thought.

[@davidkobe8342]

I don't think she actually lives there. It's just the room where she keeps all of her supplies. :)

[@knycxjourneying]

I am confused... Is it a maid's room or is it the maid sleeping in the laundry room, on top of the washing machine, storage, and under wet hanging laundry?

[@MC-ko2mx]

Probably on a skinny roll-up mattress on the floor, and yes, under damp hanging laundry.

[@eeenyc5959]

@@MC-ko2mx that would be horrendous and abusive.

[@MC-ko2mx]

@@eeenyc5959 Not in HK. As another commenter said, this maid may consider herself lucky to not be sleeping under the dining table. And I'm not excusing it, just explaining that some people treat their maids in ways you or I wouldn't contemplate. I'm from South East Asia, and a couple in my neighbourhood were convicted of starving, beating, and abusing their maid to death. They got less than 15 years collectively. In some countries, some lives are valued less than others.

[@eeenyc5959]

@@MC-ko2mx Wow, I never knew this exist in the. 21st Century. I feel so sad. I was abused as a child but made myself a good life, and my son is a doctor. In America we can make better lives. I feel so sad hearing this... We complain a lot in America about our politicians and are able to do so. I take all for granted.

[@MC-ko2mx]

@@eeenyc5959 I am glad to hear you overcame adversity, and are in a better place now. I no longer live in South East Asia, and am now in what many call a "developed" country. But abuse and exploitation still exists, and in some cases, thrives, even in "first world countries". Wage theft, overwork, bullying, sexual harassment, and downright abuse by employers are still reported on in the media.

[@amandalee280]

A lot of these interior design companies in Hong Kong keep pushing customers to have under floor storage as solution to lack of space. Not practical at all, not only is it difficult to clean (gather so much dusts) and if you have elderly visitors, small kids that are still learning to walk or people with disability they are such a hazard. I had them in our old apartment (rental) i couldn't stand it and it was a major reason that we moved.

[@rzuue]

I've been thinking about such a table hidden in the "floor" as a space-saving design for a long time. Doesn't even have to be electronic. I think it's just such a convenient way to have a lot of open space that can be transformed into a dining space big enough to invite people over. Just, I was thinking of putting it to the edge of the platform/liftet floor, to give the possibility of just sliding in. Since my parents are not used to sitting on the floor and are getting older, it would grant them easier access.

[@nr4393]

Why not just have a folding table on hand? Reducing ceiling height, for me, is always the worse thing you can do to a living space.

[@rzuue]

@@nr4393 because you’d have to find another space to store a folding table and the folding can be annoying. I guess it depends on the general ceiling height and on personal height. I’m a short person so I don’t need as much head space.

[@sunshinekid8755]

I am baffled by the idea of a live-in maid in such a small apartment! Especially, in a city like Hong Kong where there must be scads of great restaurants. This whole place looks like it would take 2 hours a week to clean at most. I'm also baffled by the remark that white is a "warm" color. It's something of a theme on this channel and well, it's not? It's not warm.

[@silvasilvasilva]

It can be (as can any colour, actually). Depends on the undertone.

[@sbffsbrarbrr]

The only place that an all white theme works for me is in soft and fluffy bedding. Otherwise I have to agree.....for me, so many of these apartments are way too sterile.

[@robocop581]

There's no Daycare in HK so a lot of families hire maids so both parents can work

[@guambyguambelle1864]

The amount of storage in this small space is incredible! The views from each bed brings such beauty and purest zen to both sleeping and waking. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@taekin9781]

I found this to feel almost like a hospital than a home.

[@ckchak10]

Minimalism is to get rid of the unnecessary things in your life. Hiding all the things in the cupboards under your feet and around you and then paint them all white is not minimalism. This house look like you build a smaller box inside a small box and people living inside has to do a lot of climbing and bending inside a smaller box. I feel sad to see things are more important than people living in this house.

[@Nath_CM]

This is definitely a very smart design and the white in the appartment makes everything look very clean ❤

[@arabella959]

Super hidden storage plus clean lines and creative spaces. So functional and precisely personalized. Bravo.

[@misterosc]

Maybe it's my first world mindset speaking but in the maids "room", where's the bed? I know Hong Hong is a tight fit and their culture of having service at all times, but that's essentially the laundry room

[@leahracquelGibson]

So incredible! The fridge is so lovely with all the white interior. I’m so impressed by this design. The only thing I dislike is the bean bag chairs, but I get the concept. 💕

[@nuteliab5170]

I really like the outlook of the apartment, I like how open it is and how so much light can enter, it makes the whole room have an elegant vibe to it. One thing that personally took me back was the amount of hidden cabinets and storage units, particularily in the floor. On one hand, I am impressed with this architectural approach to the storage problem. However, on the other hand, I know for a fact that if I were living there, I'd get so fussed up over opening so many cabinets and constantly kneeling down to pick something up. Though some things I genuinely might implement in my own future apartment, like the lifted coffee table and using the floor as "benches", I think that was a very creative approach to saving space :)

[@rsartore12]

THAT'S WHERE THE MAID SLEEPS?!?!

[@Amacott99]

That’s one INCREDIBLE space. The storage under the floor, sliding door and the clothes horse - genius.

[@clovermark39]

I was just thinking about the poor maids room having to integrate storage as well. So small and doesn’t look very private other wise great for Hong Kong.

[@lauragraceramos]

An awesome design overall. The white in most of the rooms still feels so warm. Every inch was maximized, such as functional space. Icing on the cake too, when the electronic clothes hanger just casually made its appearance..!

[@MA-di9zh]

I love the light in the bathroom. I really also love minimalism and the peace it brings to mind, but I never get why that excludes plants. I like that you can see that they really live there. And I would miss a cozy couch 😅

[@theurelita]

2:28 Architect: we repurpose the kitchen area to be a future maid room with storage area 5:36 *shows a super-super tiny area where most of the space is ocupied by a storage cabinet* me talking to the monitor: how is that a room for the maid? is she gonna sleep standing up? on top of the cabinet like some sort of coffin bed?

[@agromchung]

Probably a bedroll/futon-style mattress on top of the cabinet

[@theurelita]

@@rakshithmadavapeddi lol...well...this "smart design" ain so smart...at least in that part. the rest is ok i guess. the white makes it look spacious. the "maid room" was just stupid.

[@jessicalleigh]

There are definitely great concepts here - the ability to close off the space for an additional sleeping area, a nod to traditional Japanese design with the ‘cavity’ table, hidden storage. But the amount of visual clutter is distracting - this place could benefit from clean lines and also the kitchen lacks functionality. Whilst they have all the appliances they don’t have an appropriate height bench space for preparation. I wanted to love it, but it was just poorly executed 😔

[@debzeb6899]

It's spacious for a Hong Kong kitchen. I'm in New Zealand and used to smaller appliances and I thought it would suit me fine. The bench doubling as table is smart - you just have to clean as you go. Loved the drying area in the 'maids room'. My memories of HK is laundry hung up across the street between apartments in a sort of cats cradle.

[@SuperKizoku]

It does look so clean and perfect, but I'm afraid if I brought some milk tea or coffee and suddenly dropped it, wouldn't the liquid flow to the hole gaps of the floor storage?

[@MarcusBourget]

That poor maid. Her life in that apartment must be awful.

[@Invis_Space]

This genuinely took my breath away. Incredible work. 🙏🏻

[@mayuak7239]

The person who designed this space never had to clean a home. Also never worked as a maid. This is just not practical at all. But people with money don't have to think about it, because they are not the one who maintain it.

[@brandanscheller]

This was freaking sick. Would love to live in a place like this

[@MaraMara89]

probably not as a maid living in the loundy room :/

[@brandanscheller]

@@MaraMara89 i would be the maid living in the entire apartment all to myself because I invested in bitcoin back in 2012 😤....... jk. youre right tho, it would be cramped if you shared this with more than one person.

[@arshy45]

Glad I'm not a maid in Hong Kong.

[@tylorphillip]

One of the more artistic designs I’ve seen. It’s a beautiful example of what’s possible.

[@persianbird9]

Absolutely love this design and using the floor for storage! Looks very organized with all the things hidden/tucked away but still available to be pulled out, when needed. Great use of the small space, dividing it up to fit 4 people. No traditional couch but the beds look very comfortable.

[@Simone-zo2zc]

The electric table kinda scares me, what if my leg or a young child got trapped and it closed on it. Unless it has a sensor.

[@jonathanking4107]

So no chairs/sofa, just sit on the floors, and stick the maid in the laundry room. Does she even have a bed?

[@I_am_Lauren]

The views from that place are incredible! that bedroom feels so cozy while also remaining clean and open.

[@griffin955]

This is absolutely amazing. Appeals to the minimalist in me perfectly. Everything makes so much sense with how it was made and how it was placed. And that view is gorgeous

[@oygenn]

Absolutely LOVE the innovative solutions for storage and saving space, and the clean, almost futuristic overall look! This may be nitpicking, but the only thing that really hurts my eyes are those very visible (almost exposed) LED strip lights all over the place. They could have, or rather should have, been more diffused so that individual LEDs aren't as noticeable. This can be achieved by deeper channels, or using more "condensed" LED strips with more individual LEDs per meter.

[@starfalcon2]

It feels like in a boat with many storage slots.

[@jaclynraseyim]

Please explain the maid room. It’s so inhumane 😠 no way the person filming/editing this video thought it was ok for a human to live like that

[@dailybusiness8162]

I get the point in the planning/design purpose. Even though its a little sterile it does make sense, bright white to maximize spacial feel and maybe to leave it to the imagination. What I dislike is the inflexibility of furniture, eg the sunk table. Why not use a foldable table and chairs, just 2m away from the kitchen? And whats even more unthought is, that you cant / dont want to sit on those chairs / surfaces for long. The concept is missing ergonomy. The child sitting on a 'platform' to do his homework, many years? Really? Great, start saving money for his spine problems already. Tbh, this is what I (architect) really dislike about our fellow colleagues. Design over function. Fully electric, smart and marble - but not a single proper chair.

[@PilipiHoops]

yep aesthetics over function. I also see this in photography, aesthetic look over details. Nothing's wrong until it's a bit unusable

[@conniebruckner8190]

Very clever adaptation and innovative use of space, especially for a family that is amenable to having it that way. Love the clothes hanging rack. We have one similar to that but without electronic height adjustment. The kitchen bench/dining table is a great solution.

[@gabriele7381]

Never too small some people seem confused by the maid's room, me included. Does an actual maid live there? Could you clarify that?

[@beatricelam8766]

I’m from Hong Kong and now living in Australia. It is very common for the maids to live with the families they work for; Most of them are from Philippines. When I was small, we used to have a housekeeper and she lived with us too. Her room was the same size as my bedroom (my parents has two apartments in the same building and she stayed in the other apartment). I still remember she once cooked a dish for us from her home town and it was delicious!

[@gabriele7381]

@@beatricelam8766 it's shameful that a person would have to live in a closet with the washing machine, the drying rack and the child's bikes. I'm not saying that we should all ignore the problem because as you said many housekeepers live like that, but at least we could talk about it. Never too small should promote better living conditions and it doesn't even acknowledge the issue. I really hope they will reply, maybe it's just a misunderstanding. PS I'm glad your housekeeper had an actual bedroom to sleep in.

[@angelariva6071]

@@gabriele7381 i completely agree, the issue should be addressed. It is shameful on the part of never too small to have brushed off the issue as if the quality of life of the maid was not important at all. It does not make any sense, it's inhumane, it's sincerely concerning.

[@beatricelam8766]

@@gabriele7381 I hear you housing affordability has always been an issue in Hong Kong. I’m glad to see many comments concerning the maid’s room it shows we all care. On the other hand, the housekeeper would be mostly cleaning the rest of the apartment, cooking in the kitchen, going out to buy groceries and taking the kids to school. So he/she is not confined in their little room per say. It would have been nice to see what other smart ideas they do in that room to make it a cosy area for the housekeeper to rest at the end of the day but as you said it was brushed over. I was also curious to see more of that room but all I saw was more storage. On a side note, I love storage but I feel like they are over killing it a bit. The son’s room has a platform/step leading to his bed and that’s his chair? You cant even lean back, that would be very uncomfortable to sit on. Back to the topic, from what I can remember, my family friends who had maids all treated them very well. So I guess it is not a lost cause. :)

[@luciapacheco6145]

Never Too Small claims the maid doesn't live there, but as per Hong Kong law, foreign maids are required to live in the residence where they work. So either they're shoving the maid in the laundry closet, which is abusive and inhumane, or they're breaking the law in Hong Kong.

[@thomas_the_cat]

nice and clean... taking advantage of the high ceiling to use the floor as pseudo storage is also smart

[@mandyng8643]

The storage under the living room is not a brilliant idea as Hong Kong is so damp and it might have mold growth for storage being underneath.

[@janeclarkson8471]

In a high rise???

[@Ken-S]

Agree. And it is too hard to store and take out and easy to forget.

[@mandyng8643]

Design should be simple and direct

[@clarachaput7000]

why has nobody commented abt the fact that people literally walk on the pop up floor table. i don’t have a problem with feet, but when they’re walking on surfaces i eat on, maybe just… no?

[@oooba3628]

Many people are concerned about the ‘maids room’ in the comment section but a lot of people have pointed out that’s just where the maid conducts chores and not actually where the maid sleeps/lives very important context

[@nevertoosmall]

Thank you Oooba for clarifying that. It's not the maid's bedroom. Apologise for the confusion around the word.

[@viktoriia307]

@@nevertoosmall It is great if so. But could you please explain why do they need air conditioning in that room?

[@oooba3628]

@@viktoriia307 I would assume for ventalation purposes if someone is working in a small space like that you would want it to be pleasant// also for laundry and other tasks proper ventilation is needed

[@PL-kf2dz]

@@nevertoosmall but if it wasn't for the maid to live in, why do they need an AC unit in that room??

[@meganreynolds1085]

This payment is light and neutral without being cold. The layout is clever, my favorite so far.

[@tricialow217]

It didn't give me a "light" feeling. There's way too much cabinetry. The design looks common, a bit dated unlike the rest of the houses featured in this channel.

[@DouniaBedboudi]

the design working perfectly with the windows is beautiful

[@nckknc]

All white! Looks beautiful but definitely hard to maintain!

[@Meloda-rts]

I have my bedroom covered fully with this kind under floor storage. I praise that i had not installed it for the whole house because my mom complain a lot about the difficulty for her to stand up from sitting or lying. If you got elderly people living with you, you can't install this kind of floor. It is really very difficult for them to stand up though I love this kind of design.

[@tubetheyou]

This is beautiful and cleverly done except for the maid’s quarter. That’s borderline inhumane. But that’s HK for ya

[@Justin-jh4ym]

It's common in much of South East Asia. They have maids in Malaysia and Singapore.

[@Din976]

One of the best apartment designs I have ever seen in my life

[@jaijaibinxno6064]

Ngl this is a beautiful home, but I might wanna add color to the white floor and walls just to make it more fun and me

[@ELEKTRARE]

Very modern flat but too cold for my taste , the view is amazing 🤩

[@kalumeet1]

I like some ideas of the design. But I would not like the „antiseptic“ look. For me it misses a warm feeling. Real wood surfaces for example.

[@Steve-xd4xq]

one of the best episodes of the year really great design and good combination with tech

[@ayudan24688]

I think most of you didn't realise is that the maid actually sleeps in the maid room.

[@silvasilvasilva]

The 100s of comments about this very point beg to differ.

[@ayudan24688]

@@silvasilvasilva I lived in hong kong for years, it's very common for a family to have maids and maids have to live in the owners residence by law. that's why a lot of apartments have super small rooms designed for maids. notice there is an air con in the maids room, would anyone install an aircon in the storage/ laundry room?

[@silvasilvasilva]

@@ayudan24688 I'm not disputing it's the maid's room (as it clearly is). I'm stating that 100s of commenters have also noticed it.

[@ayudan24688]

@@silvasilvasilva haha classic case of misunderstanding

[@FallenArtemie]

This apartment looks really cool and I appreciate the level of focus on the windows. I think that was a great idea, but like others mentioned, the underfloor storage would make daily care kinda hard. Maybe having storage integrated into a wall mounted sofa/seat that can be opened would be good. Other than that, I really liked the kitchen space and the double sided built in seating + the kid's room with the raised bed and desk built in.

[@dreeuws]

How can a minimalist house look so cluttered?

[@Fjord_]

The white and the unimpeded view! It is as if you can step on that wooded hill. Beautiful.

[@davidferrero3055]

Bit concerned for the maid.

[@PowerControl]

That's the first time that I thought the the before looked more cozy and less claustrophobic!

[@radwanmosa]

Function is the only motive in that design It is a very cold and scary apartment, it is like a space ship cabin.

[@gjk540]

That glaring white!

[@Zmiana_Pogody]

Beautiful, but let's remember: 1. 46m2 is a quite BIG apartment in HongKong! 🤦‍♀️ 2. Such "hidden" stuff in the floor requiers EXTREME cleanness - walking totally barefoot at home, no little kids, no pets.

[@valeria-militiamessalina5672]

Innovation is the true motor of development

[@adgecy]

I love your videos, but could the video editor please use colors for the floor plan that are easier to see? I find it really confusing to tell the changes made for the “after” layout. Also, is there someway English subtitles can be made more accurately? As an American who is hard of hearing, I can’t quite understand what the designers are saying, let alone when they talk with an accent. I hope these requests can be considered. Thank you

[@mihaelaartacademy]

Beautiful for a small family! Good desing

[@z.z.1638]

That view from the window!😍

[@ChristianR6]

Bravo! Patrick Lam, beautiful home.

[@hubertfarnsworth6172]

So the maid is sleeping in a windowless room, above the storage area, right next to the washer, right under the laundry hangers ? Beautiful

[@ArkayeCh]

Those wooden deck platform storage drawers are insane. Then they revealed the hidden coffee table and electronics wow

[@lolaaaaaaaable]

This apartment is way too small for someone to accumulate so much stuff. The storage solutions in this apartment feel overwhelming to me.

[@tsm7078]

My goodness I started reading the comments and all I read was nothing but complaints. I suggest people can just not watch if they do not find the video interesting. I am glad I don’t spend my time filming and uploading content only to get so many negative comments. NTS: keep on producing as you see fit and I hope you have a thick enough skin to disregard the negativity. I find these videos interesting regardless of whether I can afford to copy or not. Thank you for producing these.

[@MrJinley]

No one is saying the video is uninteresting? Everyone is just concerned about the ethical aspect of the maid room and is giving genuine criticism of the apartment just as they do for every apartment on this channel.