The three projects on display at the HKU Architecture Gallery are a series of wider practice and research work, designed by William Tam, Associate Professor of Practice at the Department of Architecture, HKU, and our alumnus. Stephen Chan (MArch 2000), who also received the HKIA Young Architect Award in 2004. Two of the projects were completed, namely Library Club (2016) in Shunde and Snow Lodge (2018) in Niseko, Hokkaido. Infinity Library (2019)
in Dayi, Chengdu is at its detail design stage.

The projects investigate Built Forms and their resolution with narrative, context, function, space and tectonic, encouraging encounters, engaging movement and making everyday life attractive. Behind these projects is a search for the equilibrium resulting from the confluence of conception with technique.

For enquiries, please contact Ms. Isabel Wong of the Department of Architecture, HKU at isabel.wong@hku.hk.

Please visit the HKU Architecture Gallery Webpage: https://www.arch.hku.hk/events_index/exhibitions/?cat=hku-architecture-gallery

Library Club (2016) in Shunde is inspired by duckweed in Lingnan (嶺南) countryside; the building sinks whereas lawns extend to the interlacing, round-cornered roofs. The organic flow of the canopies, landscape, light and shadow build a three-dimensional garden, where local clay bricks are made convex/concave and spaced to create ever-changing transparency.

Snow Lodge (2018) in Niseko, Hokkaido is next to a ski resort where summer pastures are covered by winter snow. The streamlined architectural language inspired by skiing echoes the internal spatial sequence whilst its glass walls reveal and reflect movement. Along with its natural building materiality, the southeast-facing balcony opens to Mount Yotei, strengthening the relationship between man and nature.

Infinity Library (2019) in Dayi, Chengdu uses the infinity symbol to form a Mobius Strip, signifying the boundary-free course of pursuing knowledge. The bookshelves are part of the structure, so that taking a book out is to glimpse the natural world beyond. The stepped circulation follows the hilly landscape; its floor warps into a bridge with views to paddy fields. Within the loops are two courtyards mimicking terraces and reflecting the sky through its pond.

Know more about HKU Department of Architecture: “In Search of Equilibrium” Exhibition @PMQ
Website: www.arch.hku.hk/ https://www.arch.hku.hk/event_/in-search-of-equilibrium
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