News

Major Retrospective on Hong Kong Architecture Promotes Collaboration with UK

14/10/2014

A major retrospective on Hong Kong architecture to showcase the city’s expertise and experience in responding to the challenges of high density development and promote collaboration between architects in Hong Kong and the UK will be staged in London from 30 October to 26 November 2014.

The exhibition, entitled “Tall Storeys – Evolution in Hong Kong Architecture – 1965-2014” (“Tall Storeys”), looks back at how Hong Kong architects have been responding to the rapidly changing social and economic environment since the 1960s and architects’ key role in the transformation of Hong Kong into a metropolis which is one of the most densely populated cities in the world.

“We believe this exhibition heralds a new phase in Hong Kong architects’ global outreach, and it will be an excellent opportunity to promote the ongoing dialogue and closer collaborations between Hong Kong and British architects,” said Ms Ada Fung, President of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA).

Tall Storeys is the first ever exhibition staged by the HKIA in London, as part of its celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the HKIA Annual Awards. The exhibition presents some 30 works of architectural significance in Hong Kong in the past 50 years, telling the story of how Hong Kong architects have been responding to various social and economic challenges, and gained extensive expertise in high-density, high-rise urban developments. All selected works are award winning projects of the HKIA Awards, which were inaugurated in 1965 to recognise outstanding architectural achievements of HKIA members.

“Mastery of the multi-storey and mixed-use model has made our architectural expertise a valuable reference for high-density challenges around the world where cities are facing similar issues of making use of limited space for competing needs, such as housing, business, leisure and mass transportation,” said Mr Tony Tang, Vice-President of HKIA and Chairperson of the steering committee of Tall Storeys.

The exhibition will present some of the early projects that dealt with the challenge of a rapidly growing population in Hong Kong and formed the basis for the city’s unprecedented housing programme, as well as the evolution of a new hub model in the 1980s which features mutually supportive uses integrated with underground rail stations.

Coinciding with the “Hong Kong Week in London”, Tall Storeys will also include a range of activities and events for professionals and members of the public. Two opening forums with the themes of “Reconnecting Cultures” and “High Density Cities – Hong Kong Typologies “ will be held, featuring distinguished Hong Kong architects including Mr Rocco Yim, BBS, JP of Rocco Design Architects, and others. They will discuss the historical development and consider the future of Hong Kong architecture, through sharing of personal experience and insight.

The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr CY Leung will officiate at the opening ceremony of Tall Storeys. The opening ceremony is scheduled for 10:30am on 31 October 2014, at the Royal Institute of British Architects (66 Portland Place, London).

The exhibition is produced by Ms Sarah Lee and her team at Sky-Yutaka Architecture and Design and supported by RIBA; with Create Hong Kong* office of the HKSAR Government as the leading sponsor. It will be open to the public with free admission from 10am to 5pm, Mondays to Saturdays, from 30 October to 26 November 2014. More details are available at https://www.hkiaarchitect ure.com.