Snøhetta relocates to new and expanded Hong Kong studio, positioned to deepen creative dialogue with city and community

A renewed showcase of values, civic connection, and multidisciplinary collaboration

Snøhetta’s expanded Hong Kong studio embodies openness and interdisciplinary exchange, serving as a spatial catalyst for collaboration and civic dialogue—an architectural reflection of the firm’s context-driven, transdisciplinary ethos.

Snøhetta has unveiled its newly-expanded Hong Kong office, a space thoughtfully designed to foster collaboration, openness and meaningful engagement internally and with the local and creative communities.

Situated at street level, the relocated studio features a generous outdoor entrance that invites the neighborhood in, reflecting Snøhetta’s commitment to creating inclusive environments that nurture human connection and cultural exchange. Within, the open layout creates an environment stemming from dialogue and collaboration, supporting the firm’s integrated working methods.

“Our new Hong Kong studio reflects Snøhetta’s core approach – one that embraces an interactive design process with the whole team, and focuses on contextual sensitivity, human interaction, and environmental and social sustainability,” says Richard Wood, Managing Director Asia at Snøhetta.

“This expansion marks an exciting new chapter for our Hong Kong operations, which serves as Snøhetta’s hub in Asia together with our Studio Shenzhen. We look forward to thriving in this open, collaborative space while deepening our ties to the city’s vibrant local community and creative landscape.”

Connecting with the Community

Openness and engagement lie at the heart of Snøhetta’s newly expanded Hong Kong studio. The studio creates a dynamic interface with the city’s energetic urban fabric. Expansive street-facing windows and a verdant outdoor entrance area welcome the community into the studio, establishing a direct connection to the neighborhood.

Inside, a welcoming reception area will double as a flexible venue for community programming - supporting Hong Kong’s creative industries through talks, workshops, exhibitions, and pop-up events. Outfitted with retractable partitions and adaptable furnishings, the area transforms with ease to accommodate a range of collaborative activities.

Adjacent to this is a long communal table, a signature element of Snøhetta’s global studios. Framed by greenery, it serves as the social heart of the studio – a space for shared meals, informal conversations, and spontaneous collaboration.

Designing for Sustainability and Wellbeing

Snøhetta’s design approach for the new Hong Kong studio prioritizes environmental responsibility and human wellbeing. Wherever possible, the existing interior was retained and repurposed, breathing new life into its architectural elements. Materials—including recycled wood, stone, and aluminum—are carefully selected for their low environmental impact, complemented by low-VOC finishes to ensure healthier indoor air quality.

Strategically placed work zones and reflective surfaces have maximized natural daylight, while a flexible air duct ventilation system enhances both environmental performance and occupant comfort. This lightweight system evenly distributes filtered fresh air throughout the studio, requiring minimal structural intervention and offering ease of maintenance and adaptability for future spatial reconfigurations.

Throughout the studio, natural materials and biophilic elements are thoughtfully integrated to foster wellbeing and creativity, resulting in a workspace that nurtures both people and projects.

Space for Collaboration and Exchange

The open, flexible plan layout is purposefully designed to support the firm’s integrated creative process – one that thrives on collaboration, fluidity, and cross-disciplinary dialogue. Seating arrangements are intentionally dynamic and frequently reconfigured, encouraging spontaneous interaction and the free exchange of ideas across project teams.

This collaborative ethos is further supported by a variety of meeting and interaction spaces that cultivates a culture of “transpositioning” - —a fluid exchange of roles, perspectives, and disciplines. Reflecting Snøhetta’s transdisciplinary design methodology, the studio’s workflow begins with idea-generation workshops, where clients, consultants, and stakeholders are invited to actively participate in shaping the design process.

“We value dialogues, within our teams and with the broader community”, says Richard. “In the new Hong Kong studio, analog and digital come together in a dialogue-based design process – an essential dynamic to us, especially in this era of AI.”

A dedicated Material Library & Workshop underpins this spirit of exploration, offering team members a hands-on environment to prototype, test, and innovate—bridging conceptual thinking with material experimentation.

A Nature-Inspired Design Journey

The design of Hong Kong studio draws inspiration from the Dovre Mountain range in Norway; a landscape deeply embedded in Snøhetta’s origins and manifesto. Evoking the experience of mountain hikes, the design concept reflects a shared reverence for the outdoors that is woven into both Norwegian and Hong Kong’s cultures. The studio embodies a design philosophy shaped by the rhythms of trails, the contours of lands, and the spirit of exploration.

The Dovre-inspired palette forms the foundation of the interior, layered with vibrant hues that echo the energy and diversity of Hong Kong. Earthy terracotta tones ground the entrance, gradually giving way to moss greens and muted browns that evoke the natural terrain. These are complemented by bold accents – warm orange, verdant green, and sky blue – infusing the space with a dynamic and expressive atmosphere.

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