Introduction

Thomas Chung is Associate Professor at the School of Architecture, CUHK. His current research is driven by the regenerative approach to include rural revitalisation and co-creative placemaking. Thomas’ early multiple award-winning design research prototypes Value Farm (2013) and Floating Fields (2015) fused ecological design and productive landscape with socially innovative public space.


Since 2008, Thomas has specialised in steering, curation and exhibitions in international biennales such as the Bi-city Biennale of Urbanism\ Architecture in Hong Kong and Shenzhen (UABB) and the Venice International Architecture Biennale. Thomas currently serves on the Hong Kong Architecture Centre Board of Directors and is Chief Editor for the Hong Kong Institute of Architects Journal.


Since 2020, Thomas has focused on rural revitalisation through “countryside conservation”, emphasising interdisciplinary action-research and forging longer-term university-village partnerships through stakeholder engagement. Thomas has captured $5.75 million USD of external competitive grants and has implemented a wide range of design-research prototypes for remote villages.


Thomas is currently developing a Rural Placemaking framework and has been awarded the Humanities & Social Science Prestigious Fellowship (HSSPFS) to research on Hong Kong’s re-emergent rurality. Thomas now leads a multi-disciplinary team with expertise in architecture, anthropology, geography and life sciences, and is director for CUSP (Centre for Urban-rural Sustainable Placemaking, www.cusp-hk.com). Looking ahead, Thomas and his team are dedicated to developing an integrated stewardship model towards sustainable urban-rural futures for all.

Research Interests

  • Regenerative Design
  • Countryside Conservation
  • Design for Well-being

Publications

Books


City Beyond Territories: Multiple Hong Kongs

Chung, T. (2022) City Beyond Territories: Multiple Hong Kongs (越界城市: 多重香港). New York, Hong Kong: AIA, HKIA. ISBN: 978-962-8272-43-3.


Cultural and Historical Studies for South Lantau

Chung, T. and Cheung, S.C.H. (2021) Cultural and Historical Studies for South Lantau. Hong Kong: The Chinese University of Hong Kong. ISBN: 978-962827240-2.


Vertical Fabric: Density in Landscape

Wang, W. and Chung, T. (2019) Vertical Fabric: Density in Landscape. Hong Kong: Hong Kong Institute of Architects. ISBN 978-988-79429-1-7.


Refabricating City: A Reflection

Wang, W. and Chung, T. (2010) Refabricating City: A Reflection. Hong Kong: Oxford University Press (China). ISBN 978-0-19-396308-5.



Book chapers and Journal articles


Territorial Development in modern Hong Kong

Chung, T. (forthcoming 2024) “Territorial Development in modern Hong Kong: From colonial topographies to regenerative landscapes” in Transformative Hong Kong. Eds Sarah Lee, Hendrik Tieben, Yutaka Yano. ORO Editions, 114-123.


Countryside Conservation: Review & Prospect

Chung, T. (2023) “Countryside Conservation: Review & Prospect” in 25 ·50 Hong Kong’s Urban Development. [鄉郊保育:回顧和展望. 25· 50 香港城市發展 ·回顧和展望]. Edited by Corrin Chan. Hong Kong: Joint Publishing Ltd, 144-159.


Countryside, what next?

Chung, T. (2023) “Countryside, what next?” in Countryside, HKIA Journal 78, 3-7. Hong Kong: Hong Kong Institute of Architects.


Architectural restorations for remote countryside regeneration in Hong Kong

Chung, T. (2023) “Architectural restorations for remote countryside regeneration in Hong Kong: The cases of Lai Chi Wo, Mui Tsz Lam, Kuk Po” in FuturArc, Vol. 81, pp.50–61. Singapore: BCI Central.


Towards a regenerative approach for countryside conservation

Chung, T. (2022) “Towards a regenerative approach for countryside conservation”, in REFLECTIONS / Architecture and Urbanism 01. Hong Kong: The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 106-121.


The Greater Bay Area: Integration, Differentiation and Regenerative Ecologies

Chung, T. (2021) “The Greater Bay Area: integration, differentiation and regenerative ecologies” in Eyes of the City. Eds by Daniele Belleri, Valeria Federighi and Monica Naso. Berlin, Germany: Hatje Cantz Verlag GmbH, 119-128.


Overseas Cases of Adaptive Reuse

Chung, T. (2019) “Overseas Cases of Adaptive Reuse” in Sustainable Revitalization: Adaptive Reuse of Industrial Buildings. Edited by Tris Kee, 44-121. Hong Kong: The Commercial Press.


Towards Ecological Dwelling

Chung, T. (2018) “Towards Ecological Dwelling: Villages, brownfields and productive landscapes” in Landscape, HKIA Journal 74, 65-69. Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Institute of Architects.


Floating Fields – Cultivating a Productive Pondscape as Leisure Public Space

Chung, T. (2016) “Floating Fields – Cultivating a Productive Pondscape as Leisure Public Space” in Urban Environment Design vol.10, no.6, 376-379. Tianjin, China: School of Architecture, Tianjin University.


Value Farm – Transplanting "Post-urban" Cultivation

Chung, T. (2014) “Value Farm – Transplanting ‘post-urban’ cultivation” in Urban Environment Design, vol.83, no.06, Tianjin, China: School of Architecture, Tianjin University, 224-227.


The Measure of Hong Kong’s Urban Intensivity: Case Study on Graham Street Market

Chung, T. (2013), “The Measure of Hong Kong’s Urban Intensivity: Case Study on Graham Street Market”. Intensities in Ten Cities: Mn’M Workbook 1. Ed. by Darko Radovic. 30-35. Tokyo, Japan: International Keio Institute.


Valuing Heritage in Macau: on Contexts and Processes of Urban Conservation

Chung, T. (2009), “Valuing Heritage in Macau: on contexts and processes of urban conservation” in Journal of Current Chinese Affairs, vol.38 1/2009, 129-160. Hamburg, Germany. https://doi.org/10.1177/186810260903800107


Macau: Ten Years after the Handover

Chung, T. and Tieben, H. (2009) “Macau: Ten Years after the Handover” in Journal of Chinese Current Affairs, vol.38, 1/2009, 7-17. Hamburg, Germany: GIGA Institute of Asian Studies. https://doi.org/10.1177/186810260903800102

Research Projects

(Selected)


A "New Territory": Recultivating Rural Futures for Hong Kong

Principal Investigator
RGC Humanities and Social Sciences Prestigious Fellowship Scheme (HSSPFS) 2024/25. Jun 2025 – Jun 2026. (HK$ 1.0M) Principal Investigator


Developing a Rural Placemaking framework for “Countryside Conservation” in Hong Kong

Principal Investigator
RGC General Research Fund (GRF) 2024/25, Jan 2025 – Jun 2027 (HK$ 1.1M)


Regenerating the Landscape of Lantau Mountain Camp: Co-creative Architectural Restoration and Natural Conservation through Participatory Initiatives

Project Leader & Principal Investigator
Lantau Conservation Fund, CEDD; Jan 2023 – Mar 2026 (HK$ 11.9M)


Re-telling the Yung Shue Au Story: Co-creating Rural Place with Experimental Communal Hub and Eco-Cultural Trail

Principal Investigator
Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme, EEB; May 2023 – Nov 2025. (HK$ 3.0M)


From Valley to Plain II: Architectural Rehabilitation for Integrated, Co-creative Eco-living Experience in Tin Sum Village, Kuk Po

Principal Investigator
Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme, EEB; Jul 2023 – May 2025. (HK$ 3.0M)


From Valley to Plain: Conservation and Revitalisation from ‘Ng To’ to Kuk Po River and Plain via Multi-disciplinary, Educational and Action Research

Principal Investigator
Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme, EEB; Oct 2021 – Jan 2024 (HK$ 3.0M)

Project Plum Grove II: Restoring Old House for Village Community

Principal Investigator
Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme, EEB; Dec 2022 – Dec 2024. (HK$ 3.0M)

Project Plum Grove: Revitalising Mui Tsz Lam with Experimental Restorations

Principal Investigator
Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme, EEB; Oct 2020 – Apr 2022 (HK$ 2.0M)


Cultural and Historical Studies for Pui O, Shui Hau and Neighbouring Areas at Lantau

Project Leader & Principal Investigator
Sustainable Lantau Office, CEDD; Oct 2020 – Mar 2022 (HK$ 2.5M)


The Legend of Ngong Ping Highland Tea

Co-Investigator
Lantau Conservation Fund, CEDD; Feb 2023 - Jun 2025 (HK$ 2.3M)


Cultural Revitalisation Project at Fu Tei Au Tsuen with Hong Kong Lutheran Social Service

Co-Investigator
Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme, EPD; Mar 2021– Feb 2023 (HK$ 1.9M)


Study on Effective Transitional Housing Delivery in Hong Kong

Co-Investigator
Strategic Public Policy Research, Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office; May 2021 – May 2024 (HK$ 3.2M)


Integrating Augmented-Reality with Design Thinking (AR-OT) in Self-directed Teaching and Learning by Postgraduate Architecture Students

Principal Investigator (Co-I: Prof Adam Fingrut et al.)
TDLEG (Teaching Development and Language Enhancement Grant), CUHK; Jul 2021 – Jun 2022 (HK$ 200K)


Primary School Redesign Placemaking Projects in Jockey Club Positive Education “Ascend and Radiate” Project

Principal Investigator
Supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and the Faculty of Social Science, CUHK; Feb 2019 – Feb 2021 (HK$ 1.8M)

Design Research (Built Prototypes)

2023 From Valley to Plain: Restoration of ‘Ng To’ mansion and Gardens into Multi-disciplinary, Educational Research Centre in Ng To, Kuk Po, Hong Kong. 02/2023. (CCFS funded)

2022 Project Plum Grove: Old House and Mural House Restorations. Mui Tsz Lam, Sha Tau Kok, Hong Kong. Old House: 04/2022, Mural House: 09/2022. (CCFS funded)


2021 Fu Tei Au Village Story Room Regeneration as part of Cultural Revitalisation Project at Fu Tei Au Tsuen. (collaborate with Hong Kong Lutheran Social Service). (CCFS funded)


2020 Communal Identity Boulevard at Fung Kai Liu Yun Sum Memorial School. Place-Making Design Research, Jockey Club Positive Education “Ascend and Radiate” Project (JC-PEAR) supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and SSF, CUHK, 9/2020.


2020 Outdoor playful landscape at Pat Heung Centre Primary School. Place-Making Design Research, Jockey Club Positive Education “Ascend and Radiate” Project (JC-PEAR) supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and SSF, CUHK, 4/2020.


2020 Adaptable STEM Learning Space at Po Leung Kuk Castar Primary School”. Place-Making Design Research, Jockey Club Positive Education “Ascend and Radiate” Project (JC-PEAR) supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and SSF, CUHK, 1/2020.


2016Floating Fields: Pearl River Delta 2.0. Built prototype (curator & architect) Re-living the City. SZHK Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism\ Architecture 2015-16 (UABBSZ), Shenzhen, 1-10/2016.


2013 Value Farm. Built prototype (curator & architect) in Value Factory. SZHK Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture 2013-14 (UABBSZ). Shenzhen, China. 12/2013.

Curation & Exhibitions (selected)

2024 “Project Plum Grove”. Exhibit in Explore the Enchanting Countryside. Roving exhibitions organised by Countryside Conservation Office, Hong Kong, 2–3/2024. (over 6,400 visitors)


2022 Project Plum Grove Pavilion II in SZHK Bi-city Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture 2022, UABB(SZ), Kingsway Brewery, Shenzhen. 11/12/2022 –12/3/2023 (650,000 visitors)


2022 Project Plum Grove Pavilion 1 in HKSZ Bi-city Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture 2022, UABB(HK), North Point Pier, Hong Kong. 10/9 –26/11/2022 (26,988 visitors)


2022 Regenerative Design in South Lantau: Encounter South Lantau x Gastronomic Cart in HKSZ Bi-city Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture 2022 UABB(HK), North Point Pier, Hong Kong. 10/9 –26/11/2022 (26,988 visitors)


2022 “City Beyond Territories for Made . Make . Making: Urbanism & Architecture Exhibitions for Excellence Exhibitions in Hangzhou, Beijing, New York. Organised by The Hong Kong Institute of Architects as part of the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of HKSAR.


2018 “Vertical Fabric: Density in Landscape”. Curation & Exhibits. Hong Kong Pavilion. Venice Biennale 16th International Architecture Exhibition, Venice, Italy. 26/5 -25/11/2018, (co-curated with Weijen Wang & Thomas Tsang) (30%)


2018 “Brownfield Tower: A New Territory”. Exhibit in Vertical Fabric: Density in Landscape, Hong Kong Pavilion. Venice Biennale 16th International Architecture Exhibition, Venice, Italy. 26/5 -25/11/2018. (co-authored with Jason Lau) (50%)


2017 “Les Champs Flottants” (Floating Fields). Exhibit in La ville en marchant (Walking in the City). Archipel Centre de Culture Urbaine, Lyon, France. 19/6 – 24/9/2017.


2016 “Value Farm” & “Floating Fields”. Exhibits in Urban Orchard: City after the City curated by Nicolin Pierluigi and Sanchis García Maite. International Exhibition: XXI Triennale di Milano, 21st Century Design After Design, Milan, Italy, 27/5–30/9/2016.


2014 “Fundamentally Hong Kong: Squaring the Delta”. Exhibit in Hong Kong Pavilion. Venice Biennale 14th International Architecture Exhibition, Venice, Italy, 7/6 – 23/11/2014.


2008 “Refabricating City”. Curation & Exhibits. Hong Kong-Shenzhen Bi-city Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture 2008, UABB(HK). Central Police Station Compound, HK, 1 – 3/2008. (co-curated with Weijen Wang, Martin Fung, Stephen Chan)

Advised Theses

(Selected)


WONG Lok Hei, Jessie (2020) Regenerative Architecture: Seaweed Machine at Tung Ping Chau (ARCASIA Thesis of the Year Awards, Bronze Award, HKIA Student Medal Award 2020, CUHK Best Project 2020 Commendation, RIBA President’s Silver Medal 2020 Nomination)


LAM Wai Hon, Joshua (2018) Tidal Urban Architecture, Inducing Anthropogenic Ecology in Deep Bay (HKIA CADSA Awards Student Category, Honourable Mention)


LAU Kin Keung, Jason (2018) Architecture of Brownfields, Playful Landscapes of New Materialism in Hung Lung Hang


LI Hiu Yan, Anna (2017) Mycelium Inc.: Growing an Autopoietic Architecture for Regenerative Metabolism


AU Sin Man, Sophia (2015) Algaemy Factory: Salutogenic Ecology in Yuen Long, 2014-15 (A&D Trophy Awards 2015 – Student Category: Best Architecture)


DOCEKAL, Nikola (2015) Weak Architecture: Brewing Nature in Sham Tseng


HO Tsz Wai, Jimmy (2015) The Yellow: Architectural Interrogation of Local Social Activism


CHOW Chiu Yin (2014) Architecture of Exchange: Market as ground for Community Food Ecology


NG Shuk Wai, Sarah (2012) Ecological Consumerism: Consumption and Resumption in Mong Kok (HKIA Student Medal Award 2012, CUHK Best Thesis Project Award 2012, RIBA President’s Silver Medal 2012 Nomination)

Honours and Recognitions

2023 Project Plum Grove, WINNER for President’s Special Prize, Hong Kong Institute of Architects Annual Awards 2022-23.


2023 Project Plum Grove, WINNER for Special Award - Architectural Installation, Curation & Exhibition Design Category, Hong Kong Institute of Architects Annual Awards 2022-23.


2023 Project Plum Grove, Special Mentions in “Architecture + For Good” and “Architecture for Community” Categories.. Architizer A+ Awards, 5/2023.


2023 Project Plum Grove, Finalist, World Architecture Festival (WAF) in both “Creative Reuse” and “Small Building” Categories, Singapore.


2022 Research Excellence Award, Faculty of Social Science, CUHK. '


2020 School Redesigns for Well-being, WINNER Most Outstanding Design, DesignInspire


2020, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)


2019 Vertical Fabric: Density in Landscape, EXCELLENT WORK: PUBLIC AWARD, from Organizing Committee, 2019 Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture (Shenzhen) UABB(SZ). Co-curated with Wang Weijen and Thomas Tsang.


2016 Floating Fields, WINNER, World Architecture Festival (WAF) 2016, Berlin, Completed Buildings Production Energy & Recycling Category


2016 Floating Fields, GRAND AWARD from Organizing Committee, Shenzhen Hong Kong Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture 2015-16 UABB(SZ)


2015 Value Farm, GOLD AWARD, Architecture for Social Innovation HKIA Cross-Strait Architectural Design Awards


2015 Value Farm, FINALIST, World Architecture Festival (WAF) 2015, Landscape Category


2014 Value Farm, WINNER, Exhibition installation category, Iconic Awards, Germany.


2014 Value Farm, ACADEMIC COMMITTEE AWARD, Shenzhen Hong Kong Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture 2013-14 UABB(SZ)


2009 Refabricating City, SPECIAL JURY PRIZE, Hong Kong Institute of Architects Annual Award

Honorary Appointments

Co-Director, UIA (International Union of Architects) Work Programme: Public Spaces (2023-)


Chief Editor, Hong Kong Institute of Architects Journal (2016-)

Board of Directors, Hong Kong Architecture Centre (2009-)


Steering Committee Member, Hong Kong Shenzhen Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture, Hong Kong Institute of Architects (2010-)


Steering Committee Member, Venice Architecture Biennale, Hong Kong Institute of Architects (2010-)


Jury Member, Architizer A+Awards, Global Architecture Awards (2014-)

Judging panel, Green Building Award 2021. Hong Kong Green Building Council and the Professional Green Building Council (2021-)


Judging panel, Eco Home Model Design Competition. Education Bureau. (2021-)


Life Member, Research Fellowship, Clare Hall, University of Cambridge, UK. (2011-)

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