"To teach architecture is to practice architecture; to practice architecture is to teach it”
Interpretation of Tim Ingold’s quotation in “Making: Anthropology, Archaeology, Art and Architecture” (2013)
It is with great honour and pride that I present my vision for our School. First, I would like to express my gratitude to my predecessor, Prof. Hendrik Tieben, for his dedicated leadership over the past three years. I would also like to extend my thanks to our Dean, Prof. CY Chiu, for his support and belief in my vision, as well as to all the faculty members who have endorsed it.
As I begin my tenure as director and introduce the new academic year, I believe the most effective way to outline my approach is by sharing with everyone – particularly our SOA students – the vision I previously shared with the faculty. This vision defines an ambition and a conviction that Design should be at the core of our School, empowering students to become better architects and engaged citizens.
COLLECTIVELY WE GENERATE
The School of Architecture at CUHK embodies values rooted in three key principles: Social, People, and Place. My vision is straightforward: to establish an “Espresso” school that focuses on design culture. Espresso is astonishingly complex, yet universally understood to be both energy-giving and an element of community-building. We can become a school characterized by boldness, rich flavour, and the ability to energize creativity.
My vision focuses on reviving the School’s legacy in Hong Kong and globally, establishing our identity as a hub of Social Engagement. Central to this vision are people, with teaching, research, and practice deeply intertwined in a calibrated approach towards architectural education. Drawing inspiration from anthropologist Tim Ingold, the notion that “To teach architecture is to practice architecture; to practice architecture is to teach it” aligns with the values I aim to encourage during my tenure. Instead of reacting to the evolving world, I advocate for proactively embracing change through design.
Taking cues from the Bauhaus, which, in 1921, confronted the challenge of industrialisation by transforming “craft” into a pedagogical project, I believe our school is uniquely situated to become a house of architecture ready to tackle and influence pressing issues of our times. With "Collectively We Generate" as our guiding principle, highlighting the importance of people in our mission, our School will be poised to navigate the complexities of a constantly changing environment. From addressing Sustainability and Climate Change to fostering Diversity and Inclusion within our educational framework, I am committed to ensuring that architectural education remains pertinent and adaptable to societal needs.
EMPOWER
We live in an environment of “No’s”. My ambition is to foster a culture that embraces “Yes”. Creating an environment where individuals feel empowered to excel in their research, teaching, and personal growth. This requires trust, respect, and team spirit. During my leadership roles I have learned that by empowering others, you improve exponentially; Delegating, Trust and Coordination are the ingredients I aspire to adhere to. In a post-Covid world, working together and injecting energy into the School is the key to our success. We need to understand and simplify our operative structures; reduce redundancy, prioritise content over bureaucracy, and provide oxygen to students and faculty.
In my role as Director, I plan to build this capacity for growth and improvement, by: 1) Intellectual Stimulation, 2) Transparent Leadership, 3) Focusing on Design Issues, 4) Encouraging Curiosity and Participation. Faculty members have to be recognised and rewarded for their contributions, confidence is fundamental to achieving success. The concept of an “Espresso” School reflects my ambitions and inspiration to be a Director. I'm proud to share my vision with you and I'm excited about the possibilities of working together with colleagues. I look forward to turning our shared aspirations into reality.
Finally, I wish to reach out to all our students – you are the beating heart of our School. Together, we will pursue an architecture that listens, strive to improve people’s life conditions, remains cautious of uniformity, and steers clear of preconceptions, where your talents are expressed through empathy.
