Revealing the architectural essence of Hong Kong
By Ng Tze-wei International Herald Tribune
Published: September 27, 2006
HONG KONG Pick a postcard of Hong Kong at random and chances are it will
depict tightly packed high-rises lining Victoria Harbor, with a wooden
Chinese junk sailing in the foreground. Hong Kong's image is as much
defined as restricted by its forests of skyscrapers.
But three young architects decided to present a very different side of
Hong Kong at the city's first appearance at the Venice Architecture
Biennale this year.
....
Hong Kong has individual exciting pieces of architecture, but "more
could be done" in comparison to Europe, the United States, Japan and
even China, said Yim. "The Venice Biennale is a rare example that the
government is willing to support the architecture industry's pursuit of
excellence," he added. The government has contributed approximately 2.83
million Hong Kong dollars, or about $359,000 to sponsor the event.
Yet, the three curators of the Hong Kong Pavilion remain hopeful.
"We are going through a transition: from focus on speed and quantity, to
quality," said Yip. He also believes that Hong Kong's urbanization
experience can serve as a good reference for rapidly growing Chinese cities.
....
cont'd....
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/09/27/features/hkvenice.php