f22 peninsula
The Peninsula Arcade, Hong Kong
2020
A camera shop that pays homage to the 1920s
Occupying two corner spaces in Peninsula Hotel’s Arcade, f22 Peninsula provides a second home for the original f22 foto space in Wan Chai, which since 2017 has hosted exhibitions by celebrated local and overseas photographers including Jing Huang, Simon Go, Palani Mohan, Elliott Erwitt, Wing Chan, Michel Eisenlohr, Yan Kallen, Sergey Melnitchenko, Mar Sáez, and Martin Parr, as well as winning a number of awards for its innovative design.
f22 Peninsula brings people back to the 1920s, an era that marked the prevalence of Art Deco, the birth of Modernism in art and architecture, and more importantly, the opening of the Peninsula Hotel and the birth of the first Leica camera.
Inside the 16-meter-long shop window, visitors are greeted by a circular reception crafted with brass countertop inspired by the film counter of Leica I Model A. Hovering above the counter centerpiece is a brass ceiling lamp crafted following the Leica Elmar lens from the late 1920s vintage, honouring the opening of the Peninsula Hotel in the same era.
In keeping with the modern and artisanal spirit of the Art Deco, the ceiling, flooring, and furniture in f22 Peninsula were made of carefully selected dark hardwood imbued with well-crafted moldings and bespoke brass details. Together, the design creates a warm, homey, and cosy space akin to the relaxing and exclusive ambience of an English private club.
A highlight of the f22 Peninsula is the heritage display of the remains from a broken column in the 1930s. With the help of conservation experts, this special molding feature made of layers of white plaster and wood is now conserved in a bespoke glass and wood cabinet.
Another centrepiece is a huge ‘Fake Leica’ camera art piece built by Chinese artist, Liao Yibai. Other examples of ‘Fake Leica’ in this size exist in very limited quantity, but this is the only version worldwide plated in 24-carat goldleaf.
The shop is divided into three zones, the camera boutique, the VIP suite, and the photo gallery, each with its distinctive character.
The gallery of vintage cameras and lenses showcases some of the rarest and best examples from around the world – all of which are for sale to discerning and well-heeled collectors. Many are from the highly-prized German brand Leica, but other famous brands such as Rollei and Hasselblad are also well represented. The shop also provides a wide selection of limited-edition cameras sourced from all over the world. The camera accessories offered are amongst the best on the market, often hand-crafted by the most experienced artisans from countries including Italy, Japan, and the USA. All display items are carefully curated in walls of wood and glass cabinets with ERCO lightings, just like how valuable artifacts are displayed in museums.
The coupling photo gallery in the basement arcade, on the contrary, has a minimalist modern design, featuring white walls, concrete flooring, and a black-tinted mirror ceiling, making a visual connection to the contemporary design of the f22 foto space in Wan Chai.
The basement gallery also has an open shopfront to engage hotel guests and visitors. A delicate monogram of f22 is hung on the wall with a back-lit octagon glow. Every night, the gallery is secured by a black-painted steel shutter gate — a contemporary reinterpretation of Hong Kong’s traditional craft commonly found in local shops.
f22 peninsula
Otto Ng, Kevin Chau, Kee Chan, Emily Fok, Daisy Lam, Benji Poon, Catherine Cheng, Chun Hang Yip