I would like to take this opportunity to say Thank You to all our members for your continued support through a challenging year. Despite COVID, we were able to provide 30 Continuing Education credits through virtual events, building tours and collaboration programs.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the following members who have made 2020 a successful year for the AIA Hong Kong Chapter.
Immediate Past President: Kevin Limfor his continued guidance of the Executive Committee and coordination with the International Region;
Vice President/ President-elect 2020: Winston Yeo for his double duty on EXCO and as Programs Committee chair;
Secretary: Florence Chan for her coordination and maintenance of our Chapter records, and communication with AIA National to continue to improve Chapter operations;
Treasurer: Sung Lee for safeguarding our finances and maintaining our self-sufficiency;
Communications Chair: Scott Brooks for completing our long-term strategic plan and for working with Catherine Cao to develop a social media strategy;
Honors & Awards Chair: Elva Tang for coordinating the Chapter’s first virtual adjudication and award ceremony;
Membership Chair: Ivy Tam for maintaining our Corporate Affiliate relationships and for seeking out new opportunities to enlarge the AIA Hong Kong community;
Nominating Chair: Peter Basmajian for helping bring our attention to individuals and organizations that made significant contributions to our built environment and the community at large;
YAG Chair: Caroline Chou for maintaining virtual study classes for our emerging members;
Past Presidents: Nelson Chen, Peter Basmajian, Ronald Lu, Fanny Lee, William Lim, Christine Bruckner, J Lee Rofkind, Christian Low, Sujata Govada, Ken Hau, Christian Low, Rex Wong and Anderson Lee for guiding the 2020 EXCO.
Thank you all once again for your continued support. We are looking forward to an exciting 2021 from the new Executive Committee.
We will announce the results of our annual design competition for Communal Space Enhancement with Light Be (LB) on December 14.
Due to the worsening COVID-19 situation, the symposium will be held virtually on Zoom and Facebook live. Our speaker from Light Be will present the LB affordable housing concept, followed by presentations from the four competition finalists. We will announce the results on the same day.
Domat will present their design for affordable housing, followed by a panel discussion with Alex Jones, Goman Ho, Ray Zee and the four finalists.
The new OUHK Jockey Club Institute of Healthcare will be situated on Sheung Shing Street, opposite the Open University’s Ho Man Tin Main Campus. The site, at a major traffic interchange and on a steep slope, posed numerous design challenges but also generated an innovative and vibrant circulation concept called “GREEN OU LINK” to achieve these three goals:
Everywhere is learning
Engaging with greenery
Community connector
The 13-storey building will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including lecture theatres and nursing laboratories; allied health laboratories and a psychology laboratory; a special education needs centre, learning commons, student activity and active learning classrooms. The academic concourse comprises open stairs, pathways and alcoves to promote walking and offer flexible, relaxed learning spaces. More than 30 percent of the Institute will be wrapped in greenery to harmonize with the adjacent public park and unify the neighborhood.
There are only 24 slots available for this tour and our guests will be split into three groups, each one guided by an architect from Ronald Lu & Partners.
During the tour, guests are required to:
1. Wear shoe coverings (these will be provided by OU for visiting the conference hall)
2. Wear a surgical mask during the entire visit
3. NOT consume any food or drink during the visit
4. NOT take photos of the nursing lab and/or the Chinese Medicinal Lab.
Please RSVP at rsvp@aiahk.org with your full name, membership number and number of tickets by 5:00pm on Thursday November 26 (maximum of 2 tickets per each registration) and, if you have any questions, contact the Chapter office at rsvp@aiahk.org / 2882-6011.
Priority will be given to AIA members and attendees will receive 1.5 LUs/HSW. We look forward to seeing you there!
Tour Leaders’ Profiles
Albert CW Ng, Associate Director
Albert holds both a Bachelor of Architecture degree and a BSc in Design Studies from the University of New South Wales, Australia. He joined Ronald Lu & Partners in 1995 and has a regional portfolio that includes projects for all sectors in Australia; infrastructure and building works in Hong Kong, Macau and China; and a comprehensive development in Bangkok, Thailand.
Kenneth CK Wong, Director
Kenneth is a registered architect in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom, an Authorized Person (Architect) and a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He has over 20 years working experience as an Architect in England and Hong Kong on a wide range of projects, from commercial shopping centres and residential developments to railway stations and railway related property developments.
Maxx KH Leung, Architectural Assistant
Maxx Leung graduated from RMIT University with a Master’s Degree of Architecture in 2011. He returned to Hong Kong to start his career in 2012 and joined Ronald Lu & Partners in 2015. He is currently working on Alterations and Additions to the Salisbury Garden in Tsim Sha Tsui and on another educational building for The Open University of Hong Kong in Ho Man Tin.
Design Advocates is a collaborative, nonprofit network of independent design firms and individuals who work together with small businesses and organizations in disadvantaged communities to adapt their spaces and operations to COVID-19, and beyond. An advocate for the potential of small firms and interdisciplinary / collaborative practice, architect and Design Advocates’ co-founder and board president, Michael Chen will present recent work by the group, as well as his own firm’s civic-minded projects. He will also discuss the potential of citizen science, collaboration and craft and how these can serve both communities in need and the public good.
You can use your smartphone, tablet or PC to join. Install the zoom.us application prior to the meeting.
Please use your real name for registration so that we can credit 1 LU/HSW to you.
All attendees should mute their audio during the presentation to avoid signal interference.
On this occasion, only the host and panellists will be allowed to speak.
You may, however, type questions in the Q&A box at the bottom of your zoom screen
The panellists will review your questions and provide responses, time allowing.
Michael K. Chen AIA
Michael is a co-founder of Design Advocates and principal of Michael K. Chen Architecture (MKCA) with offices based in New York City.
He studied architecture at the University of California, Berkeley and at Columbia University, and now teaches design studios and seminars at Pratt Institute School of Architecture. Michael previously taught at UC Berkeley, Cornell, Columbia, and the Parsons School of Design.
He is the recipient of grants for independent research from the Graham Foundation, Pratt Institute, Columbia University and the Van Alen Institute, and was the 2004 John Dinkeloo Fellow at the American Academy in Rome.
Thank you for supporting our Honors & Awards Program. Despite the unprecedented challenges we are all facing this year, we are pleased to see that many of you invested substantial time and effort and we now have an outstanding collection of entries. We received almost the same number of submissions as in 2019, an inspiring testament to our members’ belief in the importance of an AIA Hong Kong design award.
In the third quarter, we continued to host design-focused webinars and expanded our range by curating two special events on land use and landscape design, both of which were well attended. We will continue to diversify our selection of topics so that every member can obtain what he or she needs from what is on offer. If you have suggestions for future programs, please feel free to email the Chapter office at info@aiahk.org.
As we approach the end of 2020, we also hope to host some in-person events. If the law allows, these will include grumpy hours at the PMQ office, and a Housing Symposium at The Mills, to announce the result of the Light Be Design Competition on December 14th.
Please mark your calendar for our Annual General Meeting which will take place on October 27th, when we will vote for our next EXCO and present an update on the Chapter’s finances and operations for this year.
We have also concluded a member survey and Phase 1 of our strategic plan for 2025, which will be announced early in the fourth quarter.
Third Quarter Webinars
Lantau Tomorrow Vision provided an opportunity for a heated debate between the presenter, Tom Yam, and our panelists who considered the topic of the proposed reclamation on Lantau and its environmental impact. There was some good news about the health of aquatic life in Hong Kong’s harbor, and members were excited to see more citizen architect’s efforts to promote change.
A recording of the webinar is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL9VkQ5cFdU
Landscape in Urban Spaces attracted many seasoned AIA members hoping to effect change. Mathew Pryor, FHKILA, presented some very insightful research on the benefits of rooftop farming in Hong Kong. Steven Cantor, ASLA, filled in many technical details on landscaping and green rooftop design. The duo got the members very excited about the future of landscape in our city – including the potential for renewable energy and productive rooftop farms.
A recording of the webinar is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhwSKgDjZuk
Visually Dynamic Façades gave members valuable insights into the coil and extrusion industry via an expert from Sherwin-Williams and Florence Chan, AIA, who gave us a brief introduction to how KPF uses coil and extrusion on their buildings in China.
A recording of the webinar is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWeYATee6ls
Citizen Architects
AIA Members, Michael Luk, Janice Hui, Kevin Lim and Vicky Chan worked with Asia Society Hong Kong to deliver a 4-part webinar exploring the heritage value of architecture via sketching, history and model making. Although the volunteers weren’t able to meet the students in person, the zoom lectures were successful and resulted in a broad range of impressive models and sketches by the young students.
Michael Luk
Thomas Schmidt AIA NCARB ANZIA LEED AP WELL AP
Venus Rover Award Announcement
Founder and Managing Director of Sepia Design Consultants Limited, Thomas Schmidt was recently awarded an Honorable Mention in the NASA Exploring Hell: Avoiding Obstacles on a Clockwork Rover design competition. Organized by HeroX, the design challenge called for a mechanically based obstacle sensor system for a rover that would be able to withstand the extreme temperatures and pressures on the surface of Venus. The international design competition attracted 572 entries from more than 80 countries. Schmidt’s solution was among the top 15 entries that received awards from the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Members News
Hinki Kwong Assoc. AIA
Hinki Kwong recently completed all seven sections of the Architect Registration Exam (ARE) and is now waiting for the final paperwork to complete his registration. In addition to volunteering with the Programs Committee, Hinki participated in our ARE study group for the last two years and has now donated his study materials to AIA.
New Corporate Affiliates
Neolith
Neolith is the market-leading brand of Sintered Stone, a revolutionary new product that has become a material of choice for architects, designers, specifiers and fabricators. This material can be specified for the most demanding interior and exterior building projects. Combining high-definition detailed decoration with high-performance qualities, Neolith offers the triple reassurance of strength, beauty and longevity. Tried, tested and trusted, Neolith’s combination of realistic appearance, high performance and versatile formats make it a go-to material for a wide range of projects.
Neolith is the optimum surfacing material for both indoor and outdoor applications. From tower façades to kitchen countertops, Neolith’s physical and mechanical characteristics deliver ultimate performance, unmatched beauty and long-term value.
Amtrac
Established in 1988, Amtrac is a one-stop furnishing resource for hospitality designers, developers, institutions and private clients.
Our comprehensive furnishing products include furniture, lighting, wardrobe, wall unit, rug and accessories. Over the years our product range has expanded to include a variety of architectural and landscape products. These include a broad range of timber products, architectural stonework and metal work, clock system, street furniture, auditorium and stadium seating, outdoor furniture, outdoor lighting, shade and gazebo, pots and planters. Our products are selected for their design, quality, value, and environmental friendliness.
Today we are proud to have served many developers, hotel groups, private and public institutions in Hong Kong, China and Asia Pacific areas.
News from Our Corporate Affiliates
Dyson
How Dyson Helps To Reduce Carbon Footprint
At Dyson we strive to use technology to solve problems, be more sustainable, and contribute to mankind. Since 1983, our bagless vacuum cleaners have saved billions of vacuum bags from clogging landfills.
In 2006, Dyson launched Airblade™ hand dryers, to dry hands quickly and hygienically without the need to use paper towels. This can help to reduce up to 85% of CO2 emissions per hand dry. Since then, it has become a sustainable solution for many sectors including M+ Museum, Hong Kong FT Life Tower, Guangzhou Taikoo Hui and Serpentine Galleries, London.
This webinar will address the future of building design utilising automation and artificial intelligence. Anthony Hauck, chair of the AIA Innovation Awards Committee and COO of Hypar, will introduce our members to their proprietary software and demonstrate how it can be used to automate the generation of building design proposals. Experts and newcomers alike will learn how the Hypar ecosystem eliminates the drudgery of routine tasks and fosters quality and consistency.
You can use your smartphone, tablet or PC to join. Install the zoom.us application prior to the meeting.
1. Please use your real name for registration so that we can credit 1 LU to you.
2. All attendees should mute their audio during the presentation to avoid signal interference.
3. On this occasion, only the host and panellists will be allowed to speak.
4. You may, however, type questions in the Q&A box at the bottom of your zoom screen.
5. The panellists will review your questions and provide responses, time allowing.
6. The presentation will be recorded.
Anthony Hauck had more than 20 years’ experience in architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) IT before entering the software sector. As a member of the AIA CIO Large Firm Roundtable, he was part of a community of CIOs who helped guide their firms through the transition to BIM while developing methodologies for project collaboration still in use today.
Joining the Autodesk Revit development team in 2007, Anthony became the Director of AEC Product Management and, finally, the Director of Product Strategy for AEC Generative Design.
He founded Hypar with his partner, Ian Keough, in 2018 and recently had a chance to return to his AIA roots by chairing the 2019 AIA Innovation Awards committee.
You are cordially invited to join our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday October 28, 2020. This event is free and exclusive for members only! The meeting agenda will include a Chapter Report by the President, a Financial Report by the Treasurer and the Chapter Election for 2021 Executive Council (EXCO) Members.
Due to COVID-19’s gathering restriction order, our Annual General Meeting will be held online via ZOOM this year with details below:
Date: October 28, 2020
Time: 6:30pm HKT
ZOOM link:
As a Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, AIA Hong Kong is required to hold an annual election for the following positions:
Vice President / President-elect 2022
Secretary
Treasurer
Although these positions are voluntary and unpaid, it is essential to the health of the Chapter that qualified individuals contribute their time, energy and professional experience in whatever capacity they can to ensure that AIA Hong Kong continues to thrive and to serve its members effectively.
There are also five standing committees:
Programs
Membership
Communications
Honors and Awards
Nominating
and
The Young Architects Group (YAG)
As we rely heavily on the personal involvement and commitment of our members, we strongly encourage and welcome your participation either as one of our three elected Officers or as a member of a Committee / YAG based on your area of interest.
Note that self-nominations for any of the above positions and committees are welcome.
Please click here for further details about the upcoming election and send the completed Nomination Form(s) to the Chapter Office by Friday September 18, 2020. The Chapter Election will take place at our 2020 Annual Meeting on Tuesday October 6, at 6:30pm in the AIA Hong Kong Chapter Office at PMQ and via Zoom.
Your continued participation and involvement is greatly appreciated and we thank you in advance for your support.
Vicky Chan, AIAWinston Yeo, AIA
2020 President Vice President / President-elect 2021
The Lantau Tomorrow Vision (LTV) is a Hong Kong Government reclamation project comprising approximately 1,700 hectares that is intended to house 400,000 residential units upon completion.
The project has generated a long list of both pros and cons for consideration.
This webinar will feature Tom Yam, from the Citizens Task Force on Land Resources, who will share his assessment of the LTV with our members. He will give us an overview of current land and housing policy in Hong Kong and the likely environmental impact of this massive reclamation project.
The webinar will be followed by a panel discussion with urban planners Dr. Sujata Govada, Dr. Peter Cookson Smith and Gary Stokes from OceansAsia.
You can use your smartphone, tablet or PC to join. Install the zoom.us application prior to the meeting.
Please use your real name for registration so that we can credit 1 LU/HSW to you.
All attendees should mute their audio during the presentation to avoid signal interference.
On this occasion, only the host and panellists will be allowed to speak.
You may, however, type questions in the Q&A box at the bottom of your zoom screen.
The panellists will review your questions and provide responses, time allowing.
Tom is a member of the Citizens Task Force on Land Resources. He has a PhD in electrical engineering from the University of Minnesota and an MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
His professional experience spans aerospace, telecommunications, and management consulting in the USA and East Asia, where he has headed the AT&T and Ernst & Young management consulting practices in Shanghai.
Tom contributes to the SCMP on science, technology, waste management and urban development.
This webinar will present examples of creative landscape design and examine how public open spaces can be of particular benefit to our cities, especially during a time of pandemic.
Steven Cantor, ASLA, will discuss parks, gardens and green roof designs he has studied, written about and photographed in North America and Europe while Mathew Pryor, FHKILA, will share his research into rooftop farming in Hong Kong. Together they will explain the meaning of “urban sustainability” and how landscape design contributes to our wellbeing.
You can use your smartphone, tablet or PC to join. Install the zoom.us application prior to the meeting.
Please use your real name for registration so that we can credit 1 LU/HSW to you.
All attendees should mute their audio during the presentation to avoid signal interference.
On this occasion, only the host and panellists will be allowed to speak.
You may, however, type questions in the Q&A box at the bottom of your zoom screen.
The panellists will review your questions and provide responses, time allowing.
Steven Cantor, ASLA, is a registered landscape architect in New York City. He has taught at the University of Georgia School of Environmental Design, the University of Colorado (Boulder), the New York Botanical Garden, and Anhalt University in Bernburg, Germany. His two most recent books are Green Roofs in Sustainable Landscape Design (WW Norton, 2008) and Professional and Practical Considerations for Landscape Design (Oxford University Press, 2020).
Mathew Pryor FHKILA
Mathew is an Associate Professor (Teaching), Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) (F. Arch, HKU) and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK). He teaches courses in sustainable practices, landscape design and landscape construction technologies. His research addresses issues relating to the role of urban agriculture and greening, public space and walk-ability, and the development of new pedagogical approaches for landscape architecture.
He is a recipient of a Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (USA) Excellence in Teaching Award (2019) and both the UGC Teaching (Team) Award 2019 and the HKU Teaching Excellence Team Award (2018) for his work on trans-disciplinary learning.
Mathew is a Registered Landscape Architect in Hong Kong and the UK, and is a Fellow of the HKILA. He is also the author of The Edible Roof – A Guide to Productive Rooftop Gardening which is based on his teaching and research on Urban Rooftop Farms.
