The Root of Hong Kong -

Story House of Opium

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Although opium is a drug and has a bad connotation, it is a significant part of Hong Kong's his tory. It should not be forgotten or buried because it is the origin of Hong Kong - the root of us Hongkonger.

 

The proposed museum uses smoke as the design concept. The totality of the project visualises smoke in different forms and creates various visual effects. Evidently, the historical building's square geometry creates strong contrast with the ever-changing image of smoke. 

The evolution of the soul-

Life & Death Education

 

"Death. Many believe that it is the end of everything and that creates fear among people. But, what if death is not the end? What if there is a civilisation in outer space that told us that there is actually a better life in the afterlife world? Would that prompt you to reconsider your view towards what Death is?”

 

Point "Level 9": as a well-shaped design for visitors to look down from the top, which the bottom is eternal reef (with the eternal gem on, symbolised the visitor himself/her self), like in the Thiaoouba theory, look down to Earth from the higher-level planet, and suggesting a concept on leaving the dead body (gems) alone and moving to another world and life.

 

The design is heavily influenced by the Thiaoouba theory: looking down on Earth from a higher level planet, suggesting a concept of leaving the dead body (in this project, represented by gems) and moving to another world and life. This theory is reflected in the design's form which allows the visitor to look down from the top (point level 9). At the bottom, there is an eternal reef with eternal gems which symbolises the visitors themselves.  

Catchable Smoke

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Smoke has always been seen as nothingness; it can be seen, but not caught. The designer attempts to reintroduce smoke by, first, visualizing it. Then, turning ash into smoke and finally, the shadow into ash. Using ash, which has never been defined as a material, this project hopes to add a unique language to the IMP design with creative and innovative thinking. The plan in IMP is to design an opium related experience pavilion which is tightly linked to the story of places. This modern and novel project aims to bring out the strong sensational feelings of the visitors as they retrace the history of Hong Kong.

 

The museum uses smoke as its design concept. Smoke is visualised into different forms and various visual effects. An apparent contrast can also be seen between the rigid geometry of the historical building and the ever-changing image of smoke.

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I feel honoured to have been able to visit an award-winning interior design company like the Steve Leung Design Group. The experience deepens my understanding of how big design firms actually operate.

 

After acquiring a certain extent of design-related working experience, I would like to work in a big and internationally renowned company. It is my hope that after graduation I will be able to find a working environment that will allow me the freedom to explore and design more creatively, innovatively, and boldly.

 

Lastly, I would like to thank my mentor Louisa Young for making this rare opportunity, of visiting large-scale design companies, happen. As a student, I have gained a better understanding of the operations within the industry.

Rediscovering the Hong Kong Colonial Architecture

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As a former colony, not only does Hong Kong boast traditional architecture, but it also has a plethora of British-influenced architecture. As urged by various scholars, these British-related pieces of architecture in the city would often be classified as "pure western architecture”, which suggests that its qualities of being eastern or local have either been ignored or misled. 

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In the event of the locality being ignored, that British-related architecture would then be viewed as western architecture because they are colonial - introduced and built by the British. 

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In contrast, the situation of being misled is more difficult to explain. Take Hong Kong for example British colonial architectures with local architectural characteristics are regarded as a "mixed architectural style between British and Chinese” because most of the historical records in Hong Kong have marked both the local culture and habitats as Chinese. 

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Nevertheless, as much research is conducted in academia and societies such as the Royal Asiatic Society, it is a fact that “Chinese is just an umbrella term” in academic usage. With regards to architecture and culture, some researchers suggest that there are at least a few kinds of cultural characteristics in proper China areas such as the northern Chinese style, the southern Chinese style an