Date 3.2024
Location Hong Kong, Quarry Bay, Hoi Shin Lane
Initiated by the School of Architecture at CUHK, Very Hong Kong has been implementing the "Space+" placemaking program in the New Territories, Kowloon, and Hong Kong Island from 2022 to 2024. The aim is to identify public spaces with untapped potential and envision programs that would attract citizens to these areas. For their latest project, they chose to collaborate with the recently opened "Quarryside," a community space project near Hoi Shin Lane in Quarry Bay. To activate the previously unused open space surrounding the Quarryside building, Very Hong Kong approached us at the School of Architecture to design and construct a series of transformable urban furniture.
The proposed furniture sets are the products of a lightweight construction system named VVE Construct (pronounced "we construct") that addresses the contemporary demands for adaptability, inclusivity and sustainability. Invented by Dr Pedram Ghelichi and further developed together with Dr Han Man and Dr Chen Jun, this construction system allows the transformation of furniture units from one-day exhibition partitions into urban furniture. In other words, the furniture is not fixed and static designs; instead, it can be easily transformed between exhibition partitions, standing tables, sitting tables, benches, and vice versa.
This unique feature is made possible thanks to two key characteristics of the furniture system: i) the V-shaped configuration of the panels, providing significant structural strength, and ii) a simple and intuitive interlocking and stacking mechanism. Unlike traditional timber construction methods, this system eliminates the need for elaborate joints or precise craftsmanship. Instead, the joints are thoughtfully designed to allow for easy interlocking, relying on friction for stability. As a result, the whole furniture set was constructed without a drip of glue or a pin. This allowed for a completely different construction approach, enabling a swift and safe assembly process that was accessible to participants with varying skill levels. In fact, several undergraduate students from the School of Architecture contributed to the assembly process, turning the activity into an educational event focused on craft and construction.
After the conclusion of the Space+ event, the partitions were disassembled and repurposed as urban furniture. Consequently, the standing tables and partitions were transformed into dining tables and benches, now utilised by nearby school students and visitors during working hours. This adaptive reuse not only extended the exhibition furniture's lifespan but also became a catalyst for activating urban spaces and promoting sustainable practices beyond its initial exhibition purpose.
Project Initiator: Prof Hendrik Tieben
Project Designers: Dr Pedram GHELICHI, Dr HAN Man, Dr CHEN Jun
Student Assistants: Hui Man Chun, CHOY Koon Wei, CHAN Pak Chim Jam, CHAN San Hon
Photography and Videography: Mavis Li
