Building Activation and Neighbourhood Ideation
When the Hong Kong Design Centre and RIBA invited us to temporarily reactivate the Po Wah Building, we saw an opportunity to connect the community’s past with its future. In the near future, the building will be redeveloped by Swire Properties. Wan Chai is a neighborhood full of history, and we wanted its redevelopment to reflect the voices and aspirations of its residents. To achieve this, we introduced a 5-step neighbourhood ideation process to engage the community, listen to their stories, and prototype ideas that matter to them.

Our journey began with an art installation designed to raise awareness of the redevelopment and spark curiosity. Many local residents were unaware of the building’s redevelopment until they encountered the installation on the streets. It served as a space for reflection and an invitation to participate.

Visitors were invited to write their memories, feelings, and hopes for the neighborhood on white balloons. Where stories on the balloons echo with a vacant unit filled with blank white balloons in Po Wah Building. The blank balloons symbolized the new page of Wan Chai, waiting to be written, while the written balloons brought those memories to life. The simple, tactile act of writing on the balloons created a meaningful connection between participants and the space. This visual representation of collective memory transformed the street into an archive of memories, where people came together to share stories and connect.

What struck us most was the enthusiasm of the community. The installation not only sparked discussions about Wan Chai’s rich history but also encouraged people to dream about its future. These conversations led to the next stage of the process: exploring how the community’s wishes and memories could inspire prototypes and concepts for the redevelopment.