Introduction

Peter W. Ferretto is an Architect, Director of the School of Architecture at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Associate Professor and Founding Director of the Condition_Lab. Design, Research and Teaching are all integral to his architectural position, vis-à-vis helping communities through design.


He was born in Manchester (UK), grew up on Lake Como (I) and lived in several European cities including Madrid, London, Basel and Paris. Since 2009 he has lived in Asia, first in Seoul and now in Hong Kong. He has written several books about cities, architecture and design. In tandem with his academic research, over the last 20 years, he gained considerable professional experience working for several International architectural practices, including Herzog & de Meuron Architects before establishing his firm, PWFERRETTO, in 2009.


Condition_Lab is a Design Research Laboratory based within the School of Architecture at CUHK. Established in 2018, its primary focus is to improve people’s lives through design. The Lab’s research revolves around designing socially responsible architectural prototypes. By working hand-in-hand with local partners on real sites, we aim to develop projects that foster a better sense of community. Our philosophy revolves around the paradox embedded into the word “condition”, as a noun it refers to a context, a circumstance, or a situation, while as a verb it implies change - to condition something based on an original state.

Research Interests

  • Relationship between Architectural Design and the City
  • Urban Residual Spaces
  • Architectural Design Methodology
  • Rural Village Regeneration
  • Adaptive Re-use
  • Urban Conditions
  • Architectural Critical Theory

Publications

Chasing Ambiguous Coexistence
Ferretto, P. W. (2018). Chasing Ambiguous Coexistence. In &. J. J. Nasan, Chasing the City. New York: Routledge.


Lost Urban Conditions of Hong Kong
LUO, J., & Ferretto, P. W. (2018). Lost Urban Conditions of Hong Kong: The Infrastructural Spaces of the Mei Foo Housing Estate. Critical Practice in an Age of Complexity – An Interdisciplinary Critique of The Built Environment. Tucson, Arizona: AMPS.


Background City: Inhabited Urban Conditions
Ferretto, P. W. (2017). Background City: Inhabited Urban Conditions of Hong Kong. UIA 2017 Seoul World Architects Congress. Seoul


Adapting Villages
Ferretto, P. W. (2017). Adapting Villages: An Architectural Framework For Regenerating Dong Minority Settlements. S.Arch 4th International Conference 2017. Hong Kong


A Taxonomy of the Real: Seoul
Ferretto, P. W. (2016). A Taxonomy of the Real: Seoul. Architecture & Culture Journal -Routledge, 411-423


Here and Now Seoul
Ferretto, P. W. (2016). Here and Now Seoul – Ten Memos for Our Present Millennium. In K. Sung-Hong, The FAR Game- Constraints Sparking Creativity (pp. 130-140). Seoul: Space Books


Residual Landscapes
Ferretto, P. W. (2016). Residual Landscapes: Reclaiming Hong Kong’s Lost Urban Spaces. Docomomo 14th International: Adaptive Reuse (pp. 38-44). Lisbon: Docomomo International


A Study of the Timber Structure of Drum Tower
Cai, L., Ferretto, P., & Deng, Y. (2016). A Study of the Timber Structure of Drum Towers of Chinese Dong Minority Architecture. IIWC Conference – Preservation of Historic Timber Structures, (pp. 51-61). Sweden


Place/Seoul
Ferretto, P. W. (2015). Place/Seoul. Seoul: Propaganda


Cast Space: Subverting the Spatial Paradigm
Ferretto, P. W. (2015). Cast Space: Subverting the Spatial Paradigm. 5th Interdisciplinary Time, Space, Body. Oxford University


Collaborative Feedback on Architecture Presentations
Ferretto, P. W., & Fitzpatrick, D. (2015). Collaborative Feedback on Architecture Presentations. English across the Curriculum, Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Hong Kong


Architect’s Notes
Ferretto, P. W. (2014). Architect’s Notes. Seoul: G-Colon


Cast Space
Ferretto, P. W. (2014). Cast Space. Seoul: Spacetime


Converging Fragments: Seoul
Ferretto, P. W. (2014). Converging Fragments: Seoul. (Docomomo Journal, Vol.50, 12-18


The Mundane Architecture of Rooms
Ferretto, P. W. (2012). The Mundane Architecture of Rooms. Space – Journal, No.534, 30-36.


Subjective / Objective Space
Ferretto, P. W. (2012). Subjective / Objective Space. Space Journal, No.552, 58-66.


Vertical Museum
Ferretto, P. W. (2012). Vertical Museum. Seoul: Spacetime


Interpreting Fragments
Ferretto, P. W. (2011). Interpreting Fragments. Space – Journal, No.523, 72-84.


Vertical Urbanism
Ferretto, P. W. (2011). Vertical Urbanism. Seoul: Spacetime


Seoul Paradigms
Ferretto, P. W. (2009). Seoul Paradigms. Space – Journal, No.515, 100-112

Research Projects

Adapting Villages: An Architectural Framework for Regenerating Dong Minority Settlements
General Research Fund by (UGC) HK; 2018-20 (HK$ 1,002,288)

Urban Pauses: Reclaiming Hong Kong’s Residual Urban Spaces.
General Research Fund by (UGC) HK; 2016-18 (HK$ 737,000)

Public Spaces in Dong Minority Villages
Direct Grant awarded by CUHK; 2016 (HK$ 80,000)

Advised Theses

CHAN Cho Man, Terrence, “Regeneration of an Informal Settlement, Guryong Village, Seoul,” 2016-17


IP Man Lung, Jackey, “Furniture Foundation, Itaewon, Seoul,” 2016-17


LUN Ka Hei, Ruth, “Architectural School, Sewon Sanga, Seoul,” 2016-17


CHEE King Hei, Thomas, “Crafts Vault: The V&A Academy of Artisanal Crafts,” 2015-16 (RIBA President’s Silver Medal)


KAN, Tommy, “Polarized Society: Bridging The Gap // Culture And Play,” 2015-16

LEUNG Shuk Wa, Shirley, “Residual Community, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong,” 2015-16

Honours and Recognitions

2016 THIRD PRIZE, Suncheon International UIA Architectural Competition


2016 SECOND PRIZE, Design Student Teaching Award, National Board of Architectural Accreditation, China


2015 THIRD PRIZE, International Architectural Competition: Seun City Walk


2014 THIRD PRIZE, MTR Public Sculpture Competition, Hong Kong


2014 SECOND PRIZE, National Architectural Competition: Memorial Park for the Korean Martyrs


2012, FIRST PRIZE, Goheung Pottery Museum


2011, FIRST PRIZE, Busan Opera House International Competition

Honorary Appointments

Vice Commissioner of the Korean Pavilion, 13th Architectural Venice Biennale (2012)


Director of the Architectural Association Visiting School (2008-10)

Share
Copyright © 2024 School of Architecture
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Privacy Policy
Disclaimer