Snohetta Architecture Studio has designed a city farm surrounded by three clubhouses as part of the Pavilia Farm residential development in Tai Wai, Hong Kong.
Inspired by the surrounding mountainous landscape and the nearby Shing Mun River, Snohetta envisioned the project as a tranquil resort offering city dwellers a close connection to nature. Two of the clubhouses, the Tea House and the Farm House, are already open to residents, with the third, the Sky House, expected to be completed by the end of 2023.
Robert Greenwood, Partner and Managing Director of Snohetta Asia, remarked, “Through this project, the Tea House and Farm House have created a green lung in Hong Kong—a vibrant space where residents can find peace, connect, and engage with one another. Pavilia Parkview Farm emphasizes the importance of cultivating a new green urban community.”
He added, “With more people than ever living in cities—a trend likely to continue—we must build in ways that are both environmentally and socially sustainable.” The Tea House, serving as the main entrance to the development, is designed to guide visitors away from the city’s fast pace into a more relaxed and peaceful environment.
The Tea House’s design is centered around water elements, featuring an indoor swimming pool and an outdoor waterfall that creates a soothing natural soundscape. The Farm House functions as a communal kitchen and dining area where residents can gather to share produce grown in the central city farm, including rice, apples, and aloe vera. At its heart, an open dining area features tables that glide along tracks, seamlessly connecting the interior dining space with the garden.
Snohetta Architecture Studio explained, “The dining table is the core of the Farm House, fostering a close-knit community through food and natural harvesting.” The building’s concrete surfaces are coated with clay plaster, while both indoor and outdoor floors use durable Accoya wood, suitable for tropical climates. The City Farm and Club are designed to connect the 3,090 residential units at Pavilia Farm by encouraging shared experiences and collective ownership of space.
“Though the two houses differ in design and use, they share the same goal—to bring together people of diverse backgrounds and ages to share experiences and create lasting memories,” the studio added. The Sky House, still under development, will feature fitness and wellness facilities as well as a children’s play area.
In addition to this project, Snohetta Architecture Studio is working on the Shibuya Upper West Side tower in Tokyo—a 164.8-meter skyscraper set to be completed in 2027. This mixed-use development will include shops, apartments, luxury hotels, and spaces dedicated to art and culture.
Recently, the studio completed the renovation of Building T, a project originally designed by architect Philip Johnson.
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