Exploring Nantou: AIA Hong Kong's First Excursion of the Year

Mr. Meng Yan, AIA, RIBA, Co-Founder and Principal Architect of URBANUS Architecture & Design

Dr. Doreen Liu, Assoc. AIA, Founder and Principal of NODE ARCHITECTURE & Urbanism, Professor and Director of the GBA Innovation Design Lab at Shenzhen University

Prof. Yung Ho Chang, FAIA, Founding Partner and Principal Architect of Atelier Feichang Jianzhu (FCJZ), Chair Professor of Architecture at HKU, and Emeritus Professor at MIT

Mr. Willkie Deng, Project Design Manager at Vanke Urban Research

The event began with a compelling presentation by Mr. Meng Yan, who welcomed attendees to the Urbanus office. Participants then engaged in a guided exploration of Nantou's urban villages, led by Prof. Yung Ho Chang, Mr. Meng Yan, and Dr. Doreen Liu. Highlights included visits to key sites such as the Nantou Hybrid Building by Urbanus, NT33 & 34 by NODE, and the Nantou Neighborhood Center by FCJZ. Vanke concluded the tour by discussing the revitalization process, enriching the day with valuable insights and discussions.

Key Learnings:

The outcomes in Nantou are a result of extensive research and exploration across multiple urban villages.

The Hong Kong-Shenzhen Bi-City Biennale serves as a vital platform for urban development.

Collaborative efforts between government, developers, property owners, and design professionals are essential for transformative approaches to Nantou Ancient City.

A conscious curation of “new” and “old” elements is necessary to preserve the original context's character and scale.

The dynamics of working with a group of architects on joint designs present both advantages and challenges.

The innovative spirit of Shenzhen can be extended to the Hong Kong context.

The AIA Hong Kong team extends its gratitude to the speakers for their valuable contributions and to Vanke for facilitating the concluding discussion. Participants were engaged and inquisitive, contributing to a day filled with thoughtful dialogue and insights.