The Commissioner for Heritage’s Office was established in 2008, and has since overseen many initiatives to conserve publicly owned historic sites, with PMQ being one key example.
In Hong Kong, the protection of development rights and the high price of property are the private sector’s key arguments against heritage conservation. Nevertheless, high-profile, privately initiated projects such as the Mills by Nan Fung Group, the State Theatre by New World Development and Central Market by Chinachem Group, provide proof that social value and concerns over urban regeneration have a legitimate place in the private sector’s marketing, branding and decision-making processes.
Today, there are still many community heritage projects needing our attention and support. In this panel discussion, the speakers will share ideas on community heritage and the actions needed to foster a more vibrant and diverse future for urban Hong Kong.
Host –
Roger Wu, Executive Director – Project Development, Haw Par Music Foundation Limited
Speakers –
1. Charles Lai, Architectural Historian
2. Bob Pang, Co-founder – AaaM Architects
3. Betty Fan, Architectural Designer and Multimedia Artist
Executive Director - Project Development, Haw Par Music Foundation Limited
Roger is currently the Executive Director, Project Development of Haw Par Music Foundation Limited (HPMF), a not-for-profit organisation set up to oversee the operations of Haw Par Music – a centre for cross-culture exchange through music, heritage and the arts based in the revitalised Haw Par Mansion in Tai Hang, Hong Kong. Roger was also the Chief Curator of the 2019 Bi-City Biennale of UrbanismArchitecture (Hong Kong) and is also actively involved with both the Royal Institute of British Architect (RIBA), and the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA), where he is a member of the Heritage & Conservation and Education Development & Accreditation Committees. Roger has lectured at architectural schools in universities across the UK and taught design studios at the School of Architecture, Chinese University of Hong Kong, as an Adjunct Associate Professor.
Born in Hong Kong and raised in the UK, Roger has worked as an architect for a number of practices in both markets on large-scale master planning, commercial and mixed-use developments ranging from China, Algeria, the United States, Italy, Russia, and Turkey, UK and Hong Kong. With extensive experience leading complex restoration projects in the UK, China and Hong Kong, Roger has put his knowledge, experience and interest in the regeneration of historic buildings, including Peter Jones, Kings Cross Station and the Royal Military Academy in London.
Architectural Historian
Charles Lai is a British architect and researcher of the history and conservation of Hong Kong and Asian modern architecture. He received his PhD degree in architectural history and theory from the University of Hong Kong Department of Architecture, and a diploma from the AA School of Architecture in London. He is a member of the Docomomo Hong Kong. His research explores the history of modern architecture in East and Southeast Asia, the material culture and history of Shanghai plaster, as well as the conservation and revitalization design of historical built heritage.
Co-founder - AaaM Architects
Bob Pang graduated from the Master of Architecture at The University of Hong Kong and has in depth experience in numerous offices world-wide, working in design offices globally like London, Shanghai, Vienna and Hong Kong. He was working under Arata Isozaki in Shanghai leading the design for Suzhou High Speed Rail Master Plan and Changchun Jingyue District Government Office. In 2015, he co-founded AaaM Architects, experimenting architecture as a medium to react with social issues. He is also a content contributor and columnist to various media, for instance, Hypebeast, Esquire, City Magazine and PMQ Design Extra writing about architecture in diverse topics.
Architectural Designer and Multimedia Artist
Betty Fan is a Hong Kong based Multimedia Artist who explores the codependency between our built and natural environment. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Pratt Institute, and Master of Architecture and Urban Design from Columbia University. Prior to her Artistic practice, Fan worked as an Architectural Designer at OMA, UNStudio and HOK, during which she gained experience in conceptual design and construction development for residential, commercial, mixed-use and cultural projects. She also participated in various art installations in New York and Hong Kong, which further enhanced her passion for exploring different mediums in art. Today she combines her Architectural design skills and discipline of Multimedia Art in her 3D animations, digital art works and paintings.
