Learning from Hong Kong?

Rocco Yim’s lecture looks at what defines architecture, taking inspiration from the urban conditions of Hong Kong.

Recognizing that Hong Kong’s ‘regional-ness’ has seldom been driven by cultures of materiality or tectonics, Rocco examined the unique social culture which exemplifies traits such as resourcefulness, flexibility, practicality and inclusiveness that are instrumental in the formulation of effective design strategies such as stacking, mixing, linking, blurring and embracing. This ultimately results in architectural works that are special but, at the same time, particularly meaningful in Hong Kong’s social and physical context.

Rocco Yim founded his own practice in 1979, and is Principal of Rocco Design Architects Associates.The firm has received many local and international awards and citations for design excellence since its inception having won its first international competition in 1983. Under his stewardship in design, the firm has grown significantly over the years both in size and reputation. Rocco has been actively involved in dialogues with the cultural and architectural communities both local and overseas. His emphasis on design excellence and social responsibility has become very much the firm’s aspiration for the future.