The Hong Kong Collateral Event at the 17th International Architecture Exhibition—La Biennale di Venezia

Hong Kong, 23 May 2021 — Jointly organised by The Hong Kong Institute of Architects Biennale Foundation (HKIABF) and Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC), in partnership with The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) and with the support of Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) of the Government of the Hong Kong Administrative Region serving as the Lead Sponsor, the Hong Kong Collateral Event at the 17th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia has been underway in Venice since May 22, 2021, and will run for a period of six months. Under the theme of ‘Redistribution: Land, People and Environment’, the Hong Kong Collateral Event, for the first time, is applying augmented reality (AR) technology to display a total of 20 exhibits to create an unprecedented viewing experience while also adapting to the ‘new normal’ brought by the global pandemic.

Donald Choi, President of HKIA and CEO of Chinachem Group, serves as Chief Curator of the Hong Kong Collateral Event. He has been working closely with other curators, namely, Paul Mui and Benny Lee, Co-founders of BREADstudio; Agnes Hung, Senior Architect at the Inhabit Group; Yu Ka Sing, Assistant Professor of Practice for the Architectural Conservation Programme at the University of Hong Kong; and Dr. Hoyin Lee, Co-founder of the Architectural Conservation Programme at the University of Hong Kong.

Donald Choi explains, “In order to deeply explore the greater possibilities available under today’s new lifestyle paradigm, our Curatorial Team has selected ‘Redistribution: Land, People and Environment’ as the theme for the Hong Kong Collateral Event at the 17th International Architecture Exhibition. At this event, exhibitors have been tasked with proposing innovative ideas centred on the redistribution of three critical resources to enhance Hong Kong’s overall liveability.”

The 20 exhibits on display at the Hong Kong Collateral Event have been developed by 20 teams by 53 exhibitor units. Choi adds, “The curatorial process encourages the exhibitors to work collaboratively as teams with members from corporations, young architects, entrepreneurial designers, artists as well as researchers, academics, and those working for NGOs. It is our hope that this cross-disciplinary collaboration will foster a deeper understanding of what it means to work and live together.”

The exhibitors have addressed various challenges as well as opportunities Hong Kong is now facing. They have shared their thoughts on how to utilise available land resources and take advantage of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area network to improve liveability as well as addressing the pressing problems surrounding Hong Kong’s ageing population. In addition, the teams have provided their creative input about possible global talent migration and its effects on increasing diversity and overall competitiveness. The exhibitors have also contributed their ideas on how to make the best use of today’s cutting-edge technologies as well as Hong Kong’s high-density, compact vertical city structure to help reduce the city’s carbon footprint and mitigate various environmental impacts in order to ultimately create greater sustainability and overall urban wellness.