Newsletter No. 432

10 No. 432, 19.2.2014 How is an architect different from other professionals? Architecture is not only about building or giving form. To me, an architect combines art, science and craft, and has to dream a little bit about a possible future. He/she has a tradition to protect, a legacy to pass on and a vision to realize. Where did you pry your trade prior to coming to CUHK? In the last 30 years I have had experience in the planning and project management of award-winning institutional, community and commercial developments in Hong Kong, mainland China and Canada. Prior to CUHK, I worked at the City University of Hong Kong, handling their campus master plan, new capital projects and research institute development in Shenzhen. What is your view of China’s construction boom? Despite the hype, I think it has developed too fast in the past years. Many of the iconic breakthroughs came at the expense of quality and management requirements. Hong Kong has a role to play here, as China would need Hong Kong’s expertise and vision. My engagement in the design and construction of the Huawei research and production campus in China is truly one of the most rewarding experiences. How do you see your role as Director of Campus Development? My job is to design and develop the campus to respect CUHK’s history and values, and to meet with changing educational missions. I would put emphasis on connectivity, interaction and whole person development, while pursuing design excellence, user and environmental friendliness, energy efficiency and sustainability. What challenges does the CUHK campus present, from an architectural point of view? We should be sensitive to the heritage and value of our 建築師與其他專業人士有何分別？ 建築不只是構建事物或使之成形。在我看來，建築師須 糅合藝術、科學和技藝，還要有夢想，構思可能出現的未 來。他們要保護傳統、承先啟後和實現抱負。 加入中大前你在何處工作？ 過去三十年我在香港、中國大陸和加拿大規劃和管理過 一些得獎的院校、社區和商業發展項目。加入中大前，我 在香港城市大學工作，負責該校的校園發展計劃、新基本 工程和深圳研究院發展項目。 你對中國的建築熱潮有何看法？ 雖然中國建築熱潮大受吹捧，但我認為過去幾年發展過 快。許多地標式的重大成果，是以犧牲品質和管理要求來 達成。在這方面香港可以發揮作用，因為香港的專業知識 和眼光，正是中國需要的。我曾參與設計和建造華為在中 國的研發和生產園區，那是獲益良多的經驗。 身為校園發展處處長，你認為自己肩負甚麼責任？ 我的職責是在設計和發展校園時，尊重中大的歷史和價值 觀，同時配合不斷變化的教育使命。我會着重聯繫互通、 交流互動和全人教育，同時致力做出卓越的設計，方便使 用者和不損環境，符合節能和可持續發展要求。 從建築的角度看，發展中大校園有何難處？ 雖然中大成員共享和運用校園的方式不斷變化，但對於 這個校園和建築的傳統和重要性，我們應敏於掌握。空間 及整合聯繫方式會隨功能變化而改變。比如，圖書館愈來 愈成為同儕互動和知識轉移的地方。 近期的校園發展項目，有哪些是你引以自豪的？ 在興建伍宜孫書院校舍時，我們實行設計連施工合約，我 對結果感到很滿意。興建基本設施、翻新和空間組織工 程方面，我們也與校外設計人才和公司合作。敬文書院、 大學展覽廳和賽馬會氣候變化博物館都具見成果。 對於校園發展處，你有何大計？ 校園發展處是致力協助中大實踐抱負和履行使命的支援 單位。我們前面工作艱巨，因為翻新工程、興建戶外設施、 闢設人行步道、發展三十九區等接踵而來，並要為擬興建 的醫院和深圳校園發展提供意見。不過，校園發展處同事 敬業樂業和能力出眾，加上得到大學管理層的指導和建 議，都有助減輕我的工作。 你最欣賞甚麼樣的建築？ 有些舊區的社會結構很有氛圍和人情味，令人陶醉。我尤 其注意都市空間的使用如何隨時間推移而變化。我喜歡 到處蹓躂，感受和思索香港的歷史。 有何公職？ 我是香港建築師學會持續專業發展委員會主席，也積極 參與推廣持續教育和建築專業，還在世界各地頂尖大學 指導修讀建築學和建築教育的學生。 Images courtesy of Aedas, DLN, RLPL, Wong Tung Group campus and buildings while how the campus is shared and used by its members is ever changing. When functions change, space and articulations change too. The Library, for example, is now more and more a place for peer interaction and knowledge transfer. Do you take pride in any recent campus development project? I am quite satisfied with the result of introducing the Design & Build Contract in Wu Yee Sun College development. We also brought in design talent and firms to collaborate on the capital, renovation and space organization works. C.W. Chu College, the University Gallery and the Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change are some of the successful outcomes. What plans do you have for Campus Development Office (CDO)? CDO is a service unit dedicated to fulfilling CUHK’s vision and missions. Tough work lies ahead, as there would be renovation works, open-air facilities, walking routes and the development of Area 39 as well as advisory to the proposed hospital and Shenzhen campus developments. But I am sure my job would be made easy by the dedication and capability of my colleagues at CDO and the guidance and advice from the University management. What architecture impresses you the most? I find the community fabric in some older districts very fascinating, with their ambience and sensibilities. I pay special attention to how the use of urban space has changed over time. I like to walk around, feeling and ruminating on Hong Kong’s history. Your community services? I am the chairman of the Continuing Professional Development Committee of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects and I participate actively in promoting continuing education and the architectural profession. I also coach students in pursuing architectural studies and education in top universities worldwide.