Tall Storeys: a new exhibition at the RIBA in London charts Hong Kong’s architectural history
In Hong Kong, change is the only constant. Unprecedented economic and demographic growth in the face of land scarcity has forced the high-density development that helped create the city's distinct cityscape. Charting this story through architecture is the Hong Kong Institute of Architects’ (HKIA) new exhibition, 'Tall Storeys: Evolution in Hong Kong Architecture 1965-2014', now open at the RIBA in London.
The travelling show celebrates the 50th anniversary of the HKIA's annual awards, inaugurated in 1965 to promote outstanding achievements by its members. In this show, the Institute has selected and is presenting 30 winning projects from its archives. 'Mastery of the multi-storey and mixed-use model has made our architectural expertise a valuable reference for high-density challenges around the world,' says HKIA vice president Tony Tang. Indeed, the exhibition displays some creative urban solutions.
The engaging chronological layout - of architectural photography, enriched by videos - places buildings within a broader socio-economic context. It begins in the 1960s with the seminal Choi Hung Estate, designed at the close of the Chinese Civil War to cope with increasing migration. The colourful estate – choi hung means ‘rainbow’ in Cantonese – reflects the sense of optimism that pervades the projects on show; and the estate itself still provides social housing today. Highlights include the Hong Kong Arts Centre, by Taoho Design, and the recent Columbarium by the HKSAR government.
The exhibition casts a strong focus on the 21st century and especially Hong Kong's flourishing relationship with international architects. A planned town based around an MTR transit station in West Kowloon is one of many new developments taking shape. The scheme is currently in progress, with Herzog & de Meuron’s M+ museum scheduled for completion there in 2017.
The exhibition launched recently with a forum on high density cities and a lecture on reconnecting cultures with international speakers Rocco Yim of Hong Kong's Rocco Design Architects and Toby Denham of TFP Farrells. After its stint at the RIBA, it will travel to Hong Kong, Taiwan and New York.
ADDRESS
RIBA
66 Portland Place
London W1B 1AD
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
Find yourself at Six Senses Kyoto, the brand's breathtaking Japan debut
Six Senses Kyoto opens its doors boasting tranquil, luxurious interiors by Blink Design Group
By Danielle Demetriou Published
-
Shigeru Ban’s mini Paper Log House welcomed at The Glass House
'Shigeru Ban: The Paper Log House' is shown at The Glass House in New Canaan, USA as the house museum of American architect Philip Johnson plays host to the Japanese architect’s model temporary home concept
By Adrian Madlener Published
-
Artist Mickalene Thomas wrestles with notions of Black beauty, female empowerment and love
'Mickalene Thomas: All About Love’, a touring exhibition, considers Black female representation
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Beijing City Library is an otherworldly escape from the digital world
Beijing City Library by Snøhetta is a flowing, welcoming space to share knowledge and socialise
By Tianna Williams Published
-
Chinese scholar Zhang Taiyan’s house opens as a museum and bookshop in Suzhou
20th-century Chinese scholar Zhang Taiyan’s house in Suzhou has opened to the public as a museum, featuring a bookshop designed by Tsing-Tien Making
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Jiaxing’s sunken train station is a hub of urban greenspace and efficient city links
Jiaxing Train Station by MAD Architects is a bubble of urban green space with a blend of reconstructed historical design and modern minimalism
By Tianna Williams Published
-
Junya Ishigami’s Zaishui Art Museum in China was conceived as a ‘gentle giant’
Japanese architect Junya Ishigami completes Zaishui Art Museum, a kilometre-long building positioned in a manmade lake and aiming to ‘bring the outside landscape in’
By Joanna Kawecki Published
-
A Hong Kong HQ by Brewin Design Office draws on its modernist building’s nature
A modernist-inspired office interior in Hong Kong by Brewin Design Office draws on its building’s 1980s Harry Siedler architecture
By Daven Wu Published
-
Sun Tower, rising on Yantai’s waterfront, wins Best Building Site in the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2024
We take a tour of the building site at Sun Tower, Open Architecture's new nature-inspired cultural attraction for the seaside town of Yantai in China
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
La Maison Blanche is a Hong Kong apartment elevated through bespoke luxury interiors
La Maison Blanche by Cream is a Hong Kong apartment with an emphasis on period-inspired, layered decor and long city views
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Garden Crescent brings biophilic design to a dense Hong Kong neighbourhood
Garden Crescent by Ronald Lu & Partners brings a haven of green in its high-density Hong Kong neighbourhood
By Ellie Stathaki Published