[ 專訪 ] 香港室內設計工作室 JAAK:以恆久為設計尺度,在簡約與實用之間,找到感知與秩序的理想落點

 

JAAK Design 創辦人Calvin Cheng 和 Wich Chau (Photo by JAAK / Calvin Cheng) 

 
 

有些空間,沒有濃烈的風格標籤,也不刻意安排視覺焦點,卻在光影與材質交會的一刻,不動聲色地在我們心裡留下一抹餘韻,甚至引發更多想像。即便從未急於表態,仍悄悄被銘記於心。這般不追求即時性、不刻意炫技,卻能長久與人共處的情境,正是香港室內設計工作室 JAAK 作品讓人深刻感受到的特質。

自 2014 年 Calvin Cheng 與 Wich Chau 共同創立以來,JAAK 長年以「內斂、細緻且恆久不過時(Modest, Subtle, Timeless)」這三樣元素作為設計的核心價值。從空間尺度、材質採納、日常機能、光的走向,再到使用者行進間的路徑規劃,他們的設計,始終回到一個簡單卻值得深思的問題:如何讓人在空間感到自在,並能夠持續安住、與之共處?

 
 
  • Some interiors do not rely on strong stylistic statements or eye-catching focal points. Instead, they leave a lasting impression through the quiet interplay of light, material, and texture. These spaces engage the senses subtly and invite a deeper response. Without aiming for immediacy or spectacle, they remain memorable.

    This quality defines the work of JAAK, a Hong Kong-based interior design studio founded by Calvin Cheng and Wich Chau in 2014. Guided by the values of modesty, subtlety, and timelessness, the duo approaches each project with a focus on spatial clarity and long-term livability. From scale and material choices to daily functionality and circulation, every decision is grounded in one central question: How can a space allow people to feel at ease, and remain so over time?

 
 

Photo by JAAK / Calvin Cheng

 
 

很多時候我們以為這樣的作品,只是氛圍上的選擇,直到經由 Calvin Cheng 的分享才發現,這份平衡其實來自極其縝密的空間規劃與對生活的深度觀察。在坪數緊湊、節奏飛快的香港,JAAK 並未妥協於機能的堆疊,他們在極簡與實用之間,發展出適當的尺度,讓實用與感知並行,不讓機能壓過生活的呼吸感,也不因風格的追求遮蔽了根本的感受力。

這次訪談,我們經由共同創辦人 Calvin Cheng 的回應和梳理,了解他們是如何拆解問題,挹注理念,構築成我們眼中那些安靜清澈、不過時的空間設計,同時也一步步還原那些關於比例、動線與生活感的設計現場。

 
 
  • JAAK’s spaces may appear serene on the surface, yet their clarity is rooted in precise spatial planning and a close reading of how people live. In Hong Kong, where density is high and life moves quickly, the team avoids over-programming. Instead, they build frameworks that balance practicality with perception, ensuring that function does not overwhelm comfort and that visual expression remains tied to daily life.

    In this interview, co-founder Calvin Cheng explains the principles that guide JAAK’s work. From reframing the brief to refining proportion and circulation, he describes how design choices shape atmosphere and guide the flow of everyday routines, resulting in spaces that remain understated yet deeply resonant.

 
 

Photo by JAAK / Calvin Cheng

 
 

設計從解決問題開始



當我們問起一個案子的起點,通常從哪裡開始時,Calvin 並沒有先談風格或故事,而是直指出 「住宅設計的靈感,更多時候是來自於解決問題的過程中產生。」他提到,每個案件都有不少難題需要被解決。像是香港住宅常見的低樓高、密集的橫樑、結構牆的侷限,加上寸土寸金的預算配置,在在挑戰著設計師的規劃方式。

因此他們習慣先釐清問題,分析項目的侷限跟潛力,再藉由結構的調整與比例的重構,提煉出合理的空間邏輯。將流線、形體與物料一一梳理,轉化成安穩舒適的秩序與氣質。

 
 
  • When asked where a project begins, Calvin doesn’t start with style or story. “In residential design, inspiration often comes through solving problems, ” he explains. Each project presents its own challenges, including low ceilings, dense overhead beams, immovable structural walls, and strict budget constraints common in Hong Kong.

    JAAK’s approach starts by identifying core issues, assessing site constraints and potential, then refining spatial logic through structural shifts and recalibrated proportions. Circulation, form, and material choices are resolved with clarity and calm to create spaces that feel grounded and livable.

 
 

Photo by JAAK / Calvin Cheng

 
 


" Good spatial planning creates a natural flow, and good construction gives shape to the space. If the site already has strong proportions and a sense of balance, we don’t add unnecessary decoration. We let the materials speak. "


 
 

「我們非常重視空間規劃及建構。一個好的空間規劃能帶給你有趣的動線,而一個好的空間建構,能帶來有趣的空間形狀。若場域已經擁有一個很好「比例」和「輕重」的空間形狀,我們就不會做過多的裝飾,盡量運用物料去表達。」

Calvin 進一步補充,他們也很重視平衡跟合理性。每一條畫的線,每一件建造出來的物,都應該要有意義,盡量不刻意做過多的修飾。因為當空間已具備完整性,僅需透過材質、光線與肌理,就能讓人感受到其中的細膩度和氛圍。而這樣的方式做出來的空間,他們相信,是最耐看的。

 
 
  • Calvin adds that balance and rationality are equally essential. Every line drawn and every element built should serve a purpose. Instead of adding embellishment for its own sake, the goal is to let the space feel complete in itself. Through light, texture, and materiality, the subtlety and atmosphere can be naturally felt. For Calvin and the team, these are the kinds of spaces that stand the test of time.

 
 

Photo by JAAK / Calvin Cheng

 
 

Photo by JAAK / Calvin Cheng

 
 

構築一份回家的熟悉感



這份清晰結構所帶來的,除了機能性的完善,更奠定空間情感的基礎。

「建築的起源是個庇護所,所以對我來說很重要的一點就是安全感。」在這樣的定義下,JAAK 的設計並非只是在處理表象的事物,更是在持續尋找一份熟悉感。

 
 
  • This structural clarity does more than optimize function— it also lays the foundation for emotional connection.

    The origin of architecture is the idea of shelter, so for me, a sense of security is essential,” Calvin says. Within this framework, JAAK’s work isn’t just about surface-level refinement. It’s an ongoing search for a quiet sense of familiarity.

    He shares that they hope to create spaces where homeowners immediately feel a sense of home—a place to step away from the intensity of city life and enjoy the warmth and protection that home can offer. To him, that feeling of familiarity and ease doesn’t come from a single feature. It’s the result of many subtle details coming together in balance.

 
 

Photo by JAAK / Calvin Cheng

 
 


" A home that feels familiar should be a place where you can live comfortably and feel at ease. From a design perspective, it always comes down to balance—getting the proportions right, choosing the right materials, setting the mood with light. It’s about bringing everything together in a way that feels just right. "


 
 

Photo by JAAK / Calvin Cheng

 
 

Calvin 分享道,他們很希望做出來的空間,讓屋主一回來就有「家」的感覺,暫時脫離壓抑的城市生活,鬆弛地享受家帶來的溫暖跟保護。而一個能讓人感到熟悉又親切的家,是綜合各方面細節累積起來的整體平衡 —— 包括合理的尺度安排、親切的色彩選擇、材質之間的質地對比,以及燈光的掌控,這些基礎要點疊加而成的場域,「是一個你能活得很自在,很適應的空間。」

 
 

Photo by JAAK / Calvin Cheng

 
 

建立歷久的基調,迎接未來變化可能



JAAK 大多避免過度顯眼或容易體現一次性的視覺衝擊。取而代之的,是更為內斂且注重細節的處理方式。原因無他,住宅將是要生活十年、二十年的地方,設計不單是現在的美感提案。尤其高房價的現狀,促使我們必須更加仔細思考,未來同一個房屋載體,將會如何使用、如何改變。一旦太多設計是為了視覺效果,難保之後不會失去新鮮感。「所以我們比較注重空間和物件的比例跟小細節,做一些不浮誇,較低調也更耐看的設計。」

「我們通常會建議屋主,把牆面和櫃體這些硬裝部分維持在自然、低彩度的基調,讓它們成為穩定的背景;而真正表現個人喜好與風格的部分,交由沙發、地毯、裝飾擺件這些軟裝來加乘。」Calvin 解釋。這樣的佈局避免設計過早定型,也預留了隨時間調整的彈性,無論品味、情緒或家庭組成如何變化,空間仍以維持一致且平衡的狀態,再次回應到他們對「恆久性」的堅持。

 
 
  • JAAK tends to avoid overt visual impact or design elements that feel too immediate. Instead, their approach focuses on subtlety and detail. Residential spaces are meant to be lived in for ten or even twenty years, so design should go beyond what feels current. Especially in cities like Hong Kong, where property costs are high, it becomes essential to think carefully about how a home might evolve over time.

    We usually recommend keeping fixed elements like walls and built-in cabinetry in a neutral, low-saturation palette, so they can serve as a stable backdrop,” Calvin explains. “Personality and style can then come through the softer layers—sofas, rugs, and decorative objects.

    This layout avoids locking in a fixed aesthetic and leaves room for future change. As taste, mood, or family needs shift, the space can remain consistent and balanced. For JAAK, this is a practical expression of their commitment to longevity.

 
 

Photo by JAAK / Calvin Cheng

Photo by JAAK / Calvin Cheng

 
 


" When a design leans too heavily on visual effect, it tends to lose its appeal over time. We focus more on proportion and detail. These elements may seem understated, but they contribute to a sense of timelessness and quiet strength. "


 
 

Photo by JAAK / Calvin Cheng

 
 

「再多的櫃子也裝不下無盡的購物慾」



在高密度的香港,住宅空間相較其他城市更為緊縮,若儲物問題未被妥善解決,便會壓縮到其他生活層面。於是有效率的解決儲物問題,經常是 JAAK 進行設計時的優先考量。Calvin 描述很多時候,屋主並不清楚自己到底需要多少儲物,甚至會高估自己需要的儲物空間,他形容,「這是因為許多人只看重了數量,卻忽略了使用效率」,他認為收納並非一味堆砌櫃體、滿足物理容量,而是從根本去思考「需要什麼」以及「如何用」。

「我們認為做儲物規劃的時候必需跟屋主分清楚物件的使用頻率:有很多東西其實幾年也不會使用,這些東西應該要放在最高跟最低的儲物空間;常用、每天都要用的東西,則需放在方便接觸的地方。」倘若使用頻率低的物品,佔據了便利的動線,反倒讓日常真正需要的東西無處安放,便會造成空間的混亂與壓迫。

 
 
  • In Hong Kong’s high-density housing, storage is often the first issue JAAK addresses. Without careful planning, limited space can quickly feel constrained. Yet as Calvin notes, many homeowners overestimate their storage needs. “People tend to focus on quantity rather than how things are used.

    For JAAK, storage design begins with asking the right questions: what needs to be stored, and how often is it used? “Items that are rarely used should be kept in the highest or lowest areas,” Calvin says. “Everyday essentials belong where they’re easiest to reach.” Misplaced storage creates unnecessary tension in the space, disrupting how people move and live.

 
 

Photo by JAAK / Calvin Cheng

 
 

Photo by JAAK / Calvin Cheng

 
 


" At the end of the day, it still comes down to communicating with the homeowner. After all, no amount of cabinetry can keep up with endless consumer habits. "


 
 

「很多人想在客廳規劃很多儲物空間,但是忘記了客廳應該是全家人相聚溝通的地方,其實除了電視相關的物件,沒有什麼東西是必須放在客廳的。」在 JAAK 的設計,收納是根據生活節點,因應空間的使用需求來分散配置。例如把儲物分佈在玄關、餐邊、電視櫃等不同位置,而不是一組全高大櫃放在客廳牆身。如此一來,空間可以保有呼吸感,也能針對日常情境做出細膩安排。

不過最重要的一件事,Calvin 坦言,還是得在屋主的需求方面著手溝通 —— 畢竟再多的櫃子,也永遠裝不下無盡的購物慾。

 
 
  • Many homeowners try to maximize storage in the living room, often overlooking its role as a space for gathering and connection. From JAAK’s perspective, the living room should remain open and flexible, supporting its primary purpose as a communal setting. Aside from television-related items, few belongings truly need to be stored there.

    JAAK approaches storage based on how each area is used. Rather than placing a full-height cabinet along the living room wall, storage is distributed across key zones in the home such as the entryway, beside the dining area, or within the TV console. This allows the living space to remain open and comfortable, while ensuring that storage supports everyday use in a practical way.

 
 

Photo by JAAK / Calvin Cheng

 
 

Photo by JAAK / Calvin Cheng

Photo by JAAK / Calvin Cheng

 
 

設計的延伸與開放



JAAK 對空間的思考並不止於牆面與材質,而是延伸至更多日常感受與生活細節。他們逐步拓展設計的範圍,涵蓋選物、植栽與 FF&E(Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment)等策劃項目,並建立出 JAAK Shop 與 JAAK Plant 等延伸單元,補足空間那些看似微小卻深具存在感的元素。

「這些發展某種程度是自然衍生出來的,因為我們做的項目本來就需要搭配大量物件選擇,便開始物色一些比較有趣的香港本土生活物品,也同時建立了JAAK PLANT,目的是想讓植物,裝飾跟室內設計更加融合搭配。」

 
 
  • JAAK’s work has steadily evolved beyond interiors to include furniture selection, planting, and FF&E planning. Through JAAK Shop and JAAK Plant, the team assembles thoughtful details that enrich a space’s presence and tactile quality. Whether it is the tone of a lampshade or the scale of a planter, each element is shaped to enhance a sense of calm and visual clarity.

    They also collaborate closely with specialists from other fields. In certain commercial projects, the overall concept may begin with a planting designer, which JAAK then interprets spatially. This cross-disciplinary process adds depth and dimension, allowing the experience of space to unfold beyond traditional interior frameworks.

 
 

Photo by JAAK / Calvin Cheng

 
 


" These extensions grew naturally from our project needs. As we were already curating many objects, we began exploring local products and established JAAK Plant to better integrate greenery and decorative elements with the spaces. "


 
 

他們經常與不同專業協作,例如在一些商業空間合作案,甚至會由植栽設計師的概念作為主題,再由室內設計師轉譯為具體場域。這樣的協作模式,讓空間的感知變得更加立體,也突破傳統設計單位對硬體的侷限。

 
 

Photo by JAAK / Calvin Cheng

 
 

Photo by JAAK / Calvin Cheng

 
 

訪問的最後,我們問及 Calvin 如何看待當代設計的快速節奏與產出現象。他並不焦慮,反倒認為這是一件非常好的事情:「創作的路上就該是不斷地吸收跟表達。以前要看最新的資訊可是要買大量的雜誌,現在的資訊取得更快更透明,反而讓我們很容易就能接觸到最新的資訊,而且科技日新月異,新物料的出現,智能家居的應用等,未來的挑戰更會是如何使用科技來改善生活。」

他也認為,這樣的快節奏反而創造出更大的風格多樣性。「生態上變得不像以前那麼一式一樣了,不同風格的東西大家都會慢慢的去包容,都會有它的擁愛者。」

 
 
  • In closing, we asked Calvin to reflect on the fast pace and growing output of contemporary design. He sees it as a positive shift. With knowledge and inspiration now more easily accessible than ever, designers can stay closely connected to emerging ideas, materials, and technologies.

    The real challenge, he notes, lies in how thoughtfully we integrate these tools into everyday life to improve the way we live.

    He also believes that this acceleration has allowed greater stylistic diversity to emerge. Design is no longer confined to a singular aesthetic. As people become more receptive to different approaches, each style is given the space to evolve and connect with its own audience.

    This openness, he believes, is what keeps design alive and relevant.

 
 

Photo by JAAK / Calvin Cheng

 
 

Photo credit/ JAAK.Calvin Cheng
Interview、Text/ ChichiL

 

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