The Old Hong Kong Style: Preserving the Past in Specialty Coffee Shops

The promotion of specialty coffee and the opening of coffee shops have surged in Hong Kong in recent years, establishing the city as a leading destination for specialty coffee. A previous study revealed an intentional effort to preserve what we refer to as an ‘Old Hong Kong style’ in the design of these shops. To better understand the motivations behind this design choice, this study investigates the intentions of those involved in shaping these spaces. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 11 representatives from modern specialty coffee shops identified as exhibiting a deliberate ‘Old Hong Kong’ aesthetic. The interview participants included store owners, staff, and designers who were directly involved in the design and decision-making processes during the shops’ construction or renovation. The results reveal four categories of intentions: (1) a desire to utilise the spatial and aesthetic potential of older sites, (2) a wish to attract consumers through the storytelling embedded in reused elements, (3) an ambition to share and promote Hong Kong’s cultural heritage, and (4) a pragmatic effort to save costs and resources. While environmental sustainability was seldom articulated as a primary driver, many of the projects may nonetheless be understood as embodying sustainable design practices, as they extend the lifespan of materials and reduce the need for new production. The findings illuminate how spatial design can become a tool not only for branding or establishing ambiance but also for cultural preservation in a rapidly transforming urban landscape.