| Hong Kong City Guide

Hong Kong City Guide
With Ronnen Goren, Studio Ongarato

In everything Beulah undertakes, we are defined by civic-minded responsibility, rigorous research, global vision, innovative thinking and a passion for design and culture. We frequently look to a range of industry and thought leaders to share their thinking, insights and perspectives, often drawn from lived experiences.

With a wealth of inspiration and rich storytelling at our fingertips, we share this with you by way of our Beulah City Guides Series, an exploration of cities around the world, through the eyes of compelling industry and thought leaders.

Studio Ongarato is a multi-disciplinary studio based in Australia, Hong Kong, Dubai and the Americas, with a portfolio of award-winning work, built on creative collaboration, strategic thinking, and a holistic approach to design.

Studio Ongarato

Founded always on a rigorous, strategic interrogation of brand and context, Studio Ongarato’s ideas transcend form and dimension to connect on an experiential level that elevates clients to the forefront of cultural influence.

Like the concepts they create, the people of Studio Ongarato are diverse and fiercely original.

Renowned as designers, curators and editors, architects, art directors and craftspeople, the Studio Ongarato team seeks unique, compelling outcomes for each project, often in close collaboration with leading artists and artisans.

Awarded Studio of the Year in 2017 by AGDA Design Awards, the studio’s commitment to innovation and bold thinking over the past 25 years has established a design studio that is reputed internationally.

It is this bold thinking we share with you in the following City Guide, as Studio Ongarato Co-Founder and Director, Ronnen Goren, discusses his memories, experiences of, and perspectives on, Hong Kong.

Hong Kong

Ronnen, thanks for joining our City Guide Series! You’ve chosen to explore Hong Kong with us – what do you love about this city?

I travel to HK often for work, with another Studio Ongarato office located in Central on Hong Kong Island. I often see it as my second home, with many friends that I have made over the past 18 years and routines that make me feel at home.

I love Hong Kong for its paradoxical beauty – its sense of neighbourhood and community and equally for its intensity and big city glamour.

It has all the hallmarks of classic luxury and tradition, its topography and history shaping it into something unique – yet at a granular level, the super-luxe is contrasted by the intensely urban, through amazing street food and vendors on every corner.

How do you draw inspiration for your work with Studio Ongarato from Hong Kong?

What inspires our work has been the real advent of luxury and creative retail, both at the big end of town and with the new and emerging. Life is dynamic and forever changing, in a context where everyone seeks the new and is looking for inventiveness as a means to excel.

Life is dynamic and forever changing, in a context where everyone seeks the new and is looking for inventiveness as a means to excel.

What’s your favourite memory of Hong Kong?

First seeing the Hong Kong-Shanghai Bank by Norman Foster and Bank of China by IM Pei; seeing that spectacular skyline for the first time.

Hong Kong Skyline

Shanghai Bank by Norman Foster

In what way is Hong Kong progressive from a design/lifestyle perspective?

There are many aspects of the Hongkongese that are very practical and civic-minded, so I am often taken by the compact approach to living and the clusters of towers that rise into the sky. There is a famous Gursky image that captures this.

Intense Urban Development/High Density contrasted against Nature Mountain + Water.

Intense density means people seem to respect ‘public’ space, parks, amenities, transport, walkways… there seems to be a strong sense of civic pride.

How does Hong Kong positively contribute to its people and communities?

Civic & safe, and a strong sense of community; it is the mix of schools, temples, local vendors, mixed with commerce and retail that makes for a compact society with structure and order – and strong neighbourhood identities.

Intense density means people seem to respect ‘public’ space, parks, amenities, transport, walkways… there seems to be a strong sense of civic pride.

What are your top three to five transformational architectural spaces?

Nature vs. Man-made
Spectacle of Retail
The importance of Neighbourhood

Finally, tell us your favourite from the below categories in Hong Kong?

Hidden retreats

The most easily overlooked aspect of HK and its islands is the spectacular landscape. It is easy to be lured by retail and urbanity. Yet there are many parts of the island ie. Stanley Beach, etc. through to the Peak that provide walks and connection with nature as an antidote to the intense density.

Restaurant

Mott 32, my favourite Chinese restaurant with interiors by interiors design star, Joyce Wang.

Ronin (fine Japanese & Sake) –Yardbird (Casual Dining Yakitori), owned by the same restaurateurs, these two fine dining offerings showcase two ends of the spectrum, establishments that keep you coming back for more.

Luk Yu Tea House Central, near our office, is one of my all-time favourites, serving Dim Sum daily. It also has a chequered history with a gangland murder back in the ’80s.

Hotel

Upperhouse by Andre Fu (top end) / Jervois Sheung by Andre Puttman Wan (Value).

Cultural space

PMQ, the conversion of an old police barracks, which today is a hive of great eateries, artisan workshops and stores and cultural space.

Retail space (Boutique/Store/Chain)

Commes des Garcons, a subterranean space in Icehouse Street Central always chews up an hour+; the Acne Store (the smallest retail store I know) is also pretty cool too.

City Super the upscale/luxury supermarket would also be a favourite haunt for the spectacular produce from around the world.

Space that inspires you

The new Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage & Art by Herzog & de Meuron, epitomises a crafted, multi-functional space respecting the past, but creating a contemporary, spectacular addition which only they could do.

I love Hong Kong for its paradoxical beauty – its sense of neighbourhood and community and equally for its intensity and big city glamour.

About Ronnen Goren

Ronnen Goren, Studio Ongarato

As a Director of Studio Ongarato, Ronnen heads up the strategic development and brings over 20 years’ experience in communications and strategy as one of the founding partners of Studio Ongarato.

Ronnen holds a Bachelor Degree in Architecture, unlocking unique insights and offering a deeper understanding when it comes to melding brand strategy, communications and the built environment. Ronnen has a personal passion for the food & beverage world, having come from a family of hospitality industry veterans. His vast experience and knowledge of the industry, both in Australia and Asia, have seen him lead the strategy for clients which include: W Shanghai, Lane Crawford, QT Hotels, Jackalope Hotels and Melbourne’s GPO amongst others.

Alongside Co-Founder Fabio Ongarato, Ronnen provides key leadership to ensure that the creative outcomes are innovative and holistically aligned with the brand offer and architectural intent.