It was a work of art as well as a piece of living history. The dragon boat was made of traditional teak wood and it is estimated that more than 30 years of age. People Boat Club Lantau loved to bits, but the boat was too heavy and cumbersome for modern racing. Boats were smaller and lighter on everything.
Said John Rempel, member and former treasurer of the club: "The boat was very heavy - about a ton - and it was very difficult to enter and exit the water truck used to carry also need constant repair We now use a boat glass fiber is much lighter and easier to use."
There was an additional charge. "During the period of 30 years, the boat requires at least three major repair work to keep on racing conditions. Each job cost between HK ,000 and HK ,000."
But scrapping it would have been a loss for Rempel idea of a better solution - offering a new lease on life as furniture.
Club members approached the tree, which is marked as the first boutique in Hong Kong eco-chic furniture.
"The ship was unique and we wanted to see it go to some other use not just become trash," said Rempel.
"Tree came to mind as we had heard that produce recycled wood products so contact them to see if there was anything he could do."
Alvis Chan, a local designer tree, I was very excited at the challenge - both professionally and personally. "I was born during the Dragon Boat festival and often dreamed of having a dragon boat and display it in my own home. So it was a childhood dream come true."
He and his team wanted to keep the furniture true to the original vessel.
But the inspiration was there so it only took a few sketches to see that some parts worked better as some furniture.
"The boat was in excellent condition, which made the process easier from a redesign. When working with a beautiful piece as a dragon boat, the ideas come quickly and easily."
The only thing the design team was adamant in maintaining the distinctive curve was U-shaped boat. In the end, the ship produced 18 pieces, ranging from shelving tables and consoles.
The only additional material is used tempered glass for coffee tables.
The four shelves are HK ,950 each, the eight tables in the center of HK ,950 each and five consoles of HK ,950 each.
Tree is donating all proceeds from the sale of the collection to support Ecovision World Oceans Day on 8 June.
The items are on display at the flagship store of Horizon Plaza, but those who do not want to travel to Aberdeen you can book your parts by phone, email or in the SoHo store.