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.
In this first of a kind competition, AIA Hong Kong and RIBA (HK) are partnering with Light Be, the first social housing enterprise in Hong Kong, for the design of four prototypical communal spaces to be used as references for other transitional housing projects in Hong Kong. This competition is open to all designers and architects and is aimed at encouraging them to assist at-risk families in our community.
A kick-off meeting will be held on July 24 at the AIA office at PMQ to introduce the project and match teams, each of which will be comprised of both architects and other product designers. After the competition, there will be a symposium to share the results and collect feedback from Light Be.
An online booklet will also be created to share ideas on how to utilize roof and other communal spaces in affordable housing projects to remind architects about the importance of providing suitable communal gathering spaces in all transitional housing being built in Hong Kong in the next five years.
Unfortunately, with the recent resurgence of the coronavirus our summer party and building tours planned for July and August must be rescheduled to later in the year.
While COVID-19 continues to impact our physical gatherings, we have actively sought partnerships with other institutes, including USGBC, Asia Society and AIA International Region, to allow us to continue to deliver high quality programs in the coming quarter.
Last week we announced a design competition with Light Be to redesign their communal space for at-risk families and we will host another webinar on facade coatings on the 28th July.
In August, we have lectures planned on social housing, landscape design and rooftop edible gardening. In September, the USGBC online symposium will partner with famous design practices to present their latest LEED buildings and designs.
Finally, there will be a special discount for submissions to our Honors & Awards program this year due to COVID-19. Please plan ahead to submit before the deadline of August 31.
Second Quarter Highlights
As noted above, the ongoing disruption caused by the coronavirus led us to suspend all in-person events since February this year. As a result, our Programs Committee and Chapter Leadership shifted focus to allow us to continue to bring educational events to our members through a series of online panels and webinars.
We kicked off the second quarter’s programs on April 28th with Hello Fellow with Moira Moser.
In addition to an impromptu tour of the M Moser offices in Hong Kong, Moira shared her experience of and philosophy on global practice, with an emphasis on difficult times like these. If you missed it live, a recording of the event is on our YouTube channel:
On May 14th we hosted a panel discussion on Co-Living. Co-Living by LOD. This first webinar in our Co-X Series featured Yimei Chan, Design Principal of LOD Space, and Doris Hsu of Ascott, sharing overviews of projects in Beijing, Shanghai and Suzhou, as well as their insights on adapting existing/historical buildings to new modes of social activity. A recording of the discussion is available on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSrGlKDGD_A
In the second instalment of our Co-X series on May 28th, we hosted a panel discussion with past Chapter president, Peter Basmajian, and two innovative co-working operators, Jacky Yeung of Desk-one, and Alex Shu of T.H.E Design. Our panelists discussed the evolution of work place design, strategies to adapt in a fast-changing environment, and efforts to cope with the COVID-19 crisis. A recording of this webinar is available on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/CRzQEoDthmw
On June 15th AIA Hong Kong and Asia Society Hong Kong Center co-presented Architecture as Vision: A Conversation with Tod Williams and Billie Tsien. In addition to presenting an overview of their current projects – including the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago and the David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center – Billie and Tod shared their thoughts on the evolution of the Asia Society Hong Kong Center, from their initial impressions of the site 20 years ago, through transformation of the abandoned military structures into a cultural landmark. A recording of the discussion is available on the Asia Society’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVXkiIrOiNU
The Obama Presidential Center, Courtesy of the Obama Foundation
On June 23rd we held the third instalment of our Co-X Webinar Series: Smart Learning with Steelcase. Steelcase Education Director APAC, Ambroise d’Hauteville, and Regional Education Specialist, Owen Pescod, shared valuable insights on the rise of interactive learning and how the need for smart learning spaces is reshaping interior layouts. You can watch their presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vdsiy4GpW1Y
Our final event of the quarter was a panel discussion on June 30th with Ir Carmen Chu and Lian Duan, both of Arup, moderated by Greg Yager, FAIA, covering fast-moving trends that are shaping transport systems globally: Emerging Mobility Trends for a Resilient Urban System. The panel and our members engaged in an interesting debate on the history and future of transportation in city planning. To view this webinar click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyM14rJLKuo
Citizen Architects
Paul Tse, AIA
Like other major cities in the world, many elderly in Hong Kong are being sent to care homes due to severely limited living space at their children’s / relative’s homes and because they often require a higher level of care than family members are capable of providing. Hong Kong faces the added challenge of extremely high density living conditions where most care homes are adaptively re-used (existing) buildings rather than purpose-built facilities. Many of the older care homes, in particular, have rooms that can only accommodate a single bed and bedside table, making them less “rooms” than mere cubicles. As local regulations require beds to be positioned within 9 m of windows to ensure sufficient day-lighting, the result is that communal areas – where most social interaction takes place – often occupy leftover spaces deep inside the floor, without direct sunlight and natural ventilation.
Despite these poor living conditions, private elderly care homes are usually more than 80% occupied, if not more. In recent years, although more operators recognise that the quality of the living environment has an impact on the well-being of the elderly, the enormous rental pressure still means prioritising the number of beds, in order to make ends meet, over considerations of space, light and other amenities. The operator, the landlord and the government all share responsibility for enacting change – but what about the role of the architect?
Sometimes, change begins in the smallest details. What aspects of elderly homes can architects re-think to improve the lives of residents the most, on a daily basis? Warmer materials might increase the sense of comfort, providing spaces with individuality and privacy while encouraging an active collective life; diffused and indirect lighting would avoid glare while residents are lying in bed. The cruel reality of our aging population means that hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong elderly will likely spend the rest of their lives in a care home.
While the larger housing crisis may not be solved anytime soon, the need for a space where one can live his or her last years with dignity, both as an individual and as a collective, should not be a mere luxury.
Citizen Engineers
Arup
Seeding love and knowledge: a return visit to Yunnan Chuansi Village Arup SA-PH Primary School
Arup has been supporting Sowers Action since 2015 to support community identified needs. In 2018, the firm part-funded the construction of Arup Sowers School – Chuansi Village Arup SA-PH Primary School (串絲村奧雅納苗圃希望小學) and it is now home to more than 400 children from nearby villages. Last November, a team of 11 Arup volunteers returned to the school with a mission: to establish a library to foster a reading culture.
During the visit the volunteers took turns in setting up the library: the team successfully unpacked, categorised, and shelved over 6,500 books in just three days! The library was decorated and arranged so the students can sit and read comfortably. A sharing session was held to train the teachers and student librarians how to operate the book system, and, more importantly, how knowledge management could create a reading culture among the children. The team also hosted Photography, English, Story-telling and Game classes.
Finally, Arup donated one thousand jackets to less fortunate children in remote areas in China through Sowers Action’s jacket donation programme – Sowers Sending Love. The jackets were distributed to the students on the last day of the visit, and they couldn’t wait to put them on. Before leaving the school, long lines were formed to get autographs from our volunteers. “I was amazed by how welcoming and passionate the students were even though we were complete strangers to them. Working together with the students and colleagues from different offices was a very memorable experience. We definitely do shape a better world!” said one of the volunteers.
Our Corporate Affiliates
5 facts about co-working spaces by JEB
Co-working spaces have been transforming the modern workforce and its values. It has grown from a small room into a tremendous industry that is expanding worldwide. The concept of co-working spaces fosters an entrepreneurial spirit that enhances innovation and creativity.
Below are 5 facts about co-working spaces:
There are currently 13,800 co-working spaces in the world
According to the 2017 Global Co-working Survey, there are currently 13,800 co-working spaces worldwide.Over the past five years, the number of co-working spaces has grown at a rate of 200% and will likely continue to increase.
Core memberships are small businesses and freelancers
Based on the 2017 industry survey conducted by the Global Workspace Association, about 47% of co-working spaces members are from small businesses, 20% are freelancers and, 12% are mobile corporate users.
Open Office ≠ Co-working Space
Open space doesn’t correlate with co-working spaces. The majority of co-working spaces offer private meeting rooms for individuals or teams. Co-working spaces aim towards building a balanced unconventional space.
Co-working space market on a rise
In 2017, GCUC released a co-working forecast regarding the rapid growth that will occur in the next five years.GCUC mentions that “We expect the number of co-working members will grow from 1.74 million in 2017 to 5.1 million in 2022.
Co-working impacts Asia-Pacific Region immensely
Landlords in Asia-Pacific are starting to compete against co-working operators, offering flexible workspace to the market.Swire Properties, the giant property developer in Hong Kong has also set up its own co-working space: Blueprint.
Glen Raven/Sunbrella on Sustainability
One key way designers of restaurants, hotels, spas and even retail locations keep visitors engaged is by responding to top trends in hospitality interior design. Sustainability is more than just a passing fancy for all design industries, and it continues to be one of the top trends in hotel interior design and hospitality interior design at large. Commercial interior designers for hospitality are incorporating durable materials so that an interior won’t need to be renovated or refreshed as quickly. Sunbrella Contract fabrics are a perfect fit for those design projects. Engineered to last through years of high-traffic use, they are also manufactured in a way that honors the environment. For example, says Greg Rosendale, Director, Distribution and A&D for Sunbrella, “With the Recycle My Sunbrella program, instead of throwing away Sunbrella fabrics they’re ready to retire, customers can send back their materials to be recycled.” It’s the ultimate example of sustainability and manufacturer eco-responsibility.
At the Alila SCBD resort, guests are treated to delicious meals in captivating indoor and outdoor spaces designed with Sunbrella Contract fabrics.
Sunbrella Contract fabrics bring comfort and relaxation to the and Beyond Tengile River Lodge in South Africa.
In light of the recent rise in Covid-19 cases, the AIA Hong Kong office at PMQ will be operating on limited service starting Monday, July 20, as follows:
1. The Chapter’s office at PMQ will be opened on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10am to 5pm. The office will be closed on Tuesday and Thursday until further notice.
2. The Chapter’s phone line (2882 6011) will remain in operation during this period, Monday to Friday, 10am-5pm.
3. You can also reach us at email any time: info@aiahk.org
We are actively working on various webinars, coming up next is Visually Dynamic Facades by Sherwin-Williams on Tuesday July 28. Stay tuned for more updates.
In this first of a kind competition, AIA Hong Kong and RIBA (HK) are partnering with Light Be, the first social housing enterprise in Hong Kong, for the design of four prototypical communal spaces to be used as references for other transitional housing projects in Hong Kong. This competition is open to all designers and architects and is aimed at encouraging them to assist at-risk families in our community.
A kick-off meeting will be held on July 24 at the AIA office at PMQ to introduce the project and match teams, each of which will be comprised of both architects and other product designers. After the competition, there will be a symposium to share the results and collect feedback from Light Be.
An online booklet will also be created to share ideas on how to utilize roof and other communal spaces in affordable housing projects to remind architects about the importance of providing suitable communal gathering spaces in all transitional housing being built in Hong Kong in the next five years.
For details of the competition, please follow this link:
This webinar will consider what “coil and extrusion” coatings mean for the façade industry with case studies including the National Museum of African American History and Culture by Adjaye Associates, and Tencent Seafront Towers by NBBJ.
Our presenter, Shu Li, from Sherwin-Williams will discuss the importance of proper metal façade finishing with respect to building performance, color selection and coating technology.
This webinar is free for all AIA, HKIA and RIBA members, with a maximum of 500 participants on Zoom. Below are instructions for participating in this event:
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 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.
Shu Li, Commercial / Technical Leader for Coil and Extrusion Coatings
With 20+ years of experience in the coil and extrusion industry, Shu Li has dedicated his career to the fascinating and very important field of metal coatings. He has served as technical leader for Sherwin-WIlliams in Shanghai since 2011, managing color matching efforts and new product development. He also provides technical support to all Sherwin-Williams coil and extrusion customers regarding electrostatic applications. Shu’s inventive approach to coatings includes Acrylicoat, a one-application acrylic system that offers lasting performance against the elements.
Shu holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the Ryerson Polytechnic University.
From August 7 to 28, we will be working every Friday morning from 10am – noon at the Asia Society Hong Kong Center (ASHK) to introduce primary school children to architecture.
Subjects will include architectural design, heritage and sustainability.
We are now seeking volunteers to participate in and lead these exciting sessions with tomorrow’s architects. You can sign up for one class or for a combination of classes. Materials and space will be provided by the Asia Society.
Syllabus
August 7: How the ASHK premises can be an example of architecture and nature working together in an urban context.
August 14: Other heritage architecture in Hong Kong
It is with profound sadness and a heartfelt sense of loss that our Chapter has just learned that Professor Tunney F Lee, Hon AIA (HK), Hon FHKIA, passed away in Cambridge, Massachusetts,
on 2 July 2020 at the age of 88.
Tunney Lee was professor emeritus and former head of the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as well as professor emeritus and founding chair of the Department of Architecture at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).
His long-time teaching and research were dedicated to community-based design, including urban design studios on city neighbourhoods in the Boston area and Santiago, Chile, to the rapid urban development of Shanghai and the Pearl River Delta in China.
Born in Taishan, Guangdong Province, Tunney was raised in the US where he received his architectural degree at the University of Michigan, then studied at the University of Rome on a Fulbright Fellowship. As a young practitioner, he worked with renowned architects Buckminster Fuller, Marcel Breuer and IM Pei. Later, as an urban planner, he became Chief of Planning and Design at the Boston Redevelopment Authority.
In 1990, Tunney arrived in Hong Kong with his wife, Irene, to embark upon a new adventure and the challenge of starting a Department of Architecture at CUHK. By the time they returned to the
US in 1998, the fledgling programme was already fully accredited by the HKIA, ARB and CAA, and several of its earliest graduates have become leaders in the local profession today.
In recognition of these outstanding accomplishments and legacy to our architectural community, Tunney was recognized as an Honorary Affiliate Member of AIA Hong Kong in 1998 as well as an Honorary Fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects in 2006.
Despite these accolades, Professor Tunney Lee was undistracted by the shiny objects of formal prestige or position. Rather, he will be remembered most for his intellectual energy, unfading optimism, personal generosity and humility, and abundance of wisdom in his various roles as architect, urban planner and visionary educator. He will be greatly missed by us all.
Tencent is now a major player in e-commerce and web technology. The design of its new headquarters reflects the company’s rising international influence, its networked culture and the interconnectivity of the web. The linked configuration of the building stimulates movement and casual exchanges within the workplace, by creating horizontal “streetscapes” and vertical connections. The expansion provides space for 12,000 employees and nearly quadrupled the size of Tencent’s current workplace real estate portfolio.
During the presentation the panelists will share their strategies on how they were able to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions by 40% over a typical office tower.
This webinar is free for all AIA, HKIA and RIBA members, with a maximum of 500 participants on Zoom. Below are instructions for participating in this event:
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 and type your AIA membership number in the chat room during the webinar so that we can credit 1.0 LU/HSW to you.
All attendees should mute their audio during the presentation to avoid signal interference.
On this occasion, only the host and panelists will be allowed to speak.
You may, however, type questions in the Q&A box at the bottom of your zoom screen.
The panelists will review your questions and provide responses, time allowing.
An accomplished leader, Vivian seeks to leverage the strength of each project team member and inspire them to achieve high-performing outcomes on behalf of her clients. Her project experience includes urban master plans, corporate headquarters, commercial developments, convention centers, hotels, libraries, research buildings, education facilities and adaptive reuse projects.
Vivian always looks for ways to create exciting, unique human experiences in urban environments and has also illustrated urban history books about land reclamation in her native Hong Kong.
Sebastian Hill Project Director
Based in Hong Kong, Sebastian helps steer NBBJ’s overall business strategy. He has worked on projects in Europe and Asia, which has contributed to his understanding of multi-cultural societies and broadened his perspective on planning and design.
