The Meanwhile Room
Program: Commercial
Location: Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, China
Area: 90 m2
Status: Completed, 2026
Client: Confidential
Builder: Confidential
Photo Credit: Common Studio
Partner in Charge: Darius Woo
The Meanwhile Room reimagines an underutilised commercial space in Causeway Bay as a flexible third space for retreat, informal work, social gatherings and collecting. Conceived as a three-to-five-year “meanwhile use”, the project responds to Hong Kong’s economic slowdown by turning commercial vacancy into an opportunity for spatial and social reinvention.
Kasawoo’s design preserves the raw character of the existing shell while introducing a minimal, reversible intervention. Everything new is organised around a single architectural datum at 1.2 metres, concentrating construction below this horizon while leaving the space above untouched. A continuous plywood band wraps the perimeter, integrating pantry cabinetry, display niches, modular seating and movable storage into one coherent architectural element. Its upper ledge forms a continuous shelf for an evolving collection of artworks, books and everyday objects.
The space occupies the intersection between display, archive and everyday life. A collection of Hong Kong memorabilia, everyday artefacts and objects from the city’s golden era of cinema gives the interior a personal and cultural identity, while vibrant orange carpet tiles introduce warmth and comfort without compromising the project’s temporary nature. The same 1.2-metre datum extends into the bathroom, where low-level tiling reinforces the project’s simple architectural language.
Meanwhile Room demonstrates how small, carefully considered interventions can unlock value from vacant commercial space without relying on extensive construction. By embracing the existing shell and designing for adaptability, the project offers a compact model for meanwhile use—transforming temporary occupation into a space of social, cultural and spatial value.
Other Works