PORTFOLIO 2020

UCAS Personal ID (152-953-5963)

A B O U T

M E

I have always been fascinated by architecture around the world. My most fascinated architecture is Kijkkubus in Rotterdam. The yellow dwellings hanging on solid pillars formed a cosy community carrying its unique feature. The possibilities of planes forming space, establishing a 3-dimensional body sparked my initial stunning magnificent feeling of architecture.

My keen interest in architecture was further developed in my thorough exposure in an Architectural MY TRIPOD ;)

various models and drew different diagrams. I realised the magic brought by the pen tip to create points to lines to planes and eventually to designs in space and light. That’s architecture! In the programme,

2017 - 2020

ERNEST WONG’s PORTFOLIO

SZU, CHINA

Discovery Programme by the University of Hong Kong. Through hands-on experience, I developed

not only did I receive feedback, but I also boldly expressed my views on others’ structures. This is architecture - the essential interaction between humans and environment implementing the cornerstone of civilization.

I am inspired by how architects design and utilize space available to provide the best spatial experience for humans. The experience fulfilled my aspiration to become an architect.

Ready to encounter countless impediments, I will shoulder the significant responsibility to take architecture. My ardent wish is to make contributions to architectures anywhere with my flexibility, creativity, devotion and passion. I may not be the most inventive or elite architect but I will strive for excellence.

MY FRIEND, KATE MONSTER BUILDING, HONG KONG

ME LONDON PADDINGTON STATION

MY STREET. A REIMAGINING PROCESS

project 01

photography, pencil and markers on paper, digital drawing, photoshop compositing

My grandparents have lived in Fa Yuen Street in Mongkok in Hong Kong where I spent plenty of time during my childhood. This street encompassed neighbourhood, human warmth and touch filled with Hong Kong’s diverse spirit. I have a lot of fond memories related to Fa Yuen Street so I considered it as ‘My Street’. Since the residential flat where my grandparents live in Fa Yuen Street is pretty old, the government has planned for the urban renewal project by stages. I propose to revitalize the buildings of ‘My Street’ so as to sustain the building façade. Conserving the street’s unique characteristic, I combined My Street with booths, small stores, shops, restaurants at street level whereas commercial business and residential units above. Keeping My Street’s unique feature as the main shopping zone with a mixture of old and new multi-story buildings, My Street would attract different visitors. By maintaining some old elements merged with metropolitan components, I can always recall the sweet memories and revisit places with my footprints at My Street and at the same time enjoy the advanced benefits brought to this distinctive place.

THE TENT.

RAIN SHELTER / OBSERVATORY

This rain shelter and observatory is designed to be located in a park. It is created by folding a single plane to six planes, forming a structure with two levels.

The design is inspired by the structure of a tent, which can be found in nature as a shelter for humans, dividing humans and the nature with only a single piece of fabric, similar to what we see as a rain shelter in this case of a folded single plane.

project 02

VERMAN.

A VERMIN-HUMAN HABITATION PROJECT concept model of facade, cardboard

Inspired by Franz Kafka’s ‘The Metamorphosis’, in which Gregor was isolated by his family as he was transformed into a human-sized vermin, I created a habitation scenario in which they can peacefully live together and benefit from each other. Cockroaches are intentionally small vermins. Everything we encounter seems appealing due to the ‘human scale’. Gregor’s family was shocked because the scale of Gregor differed from their expectation.

Dividing the space with two cubes, I located Samsa’s living area in the middle of the whole structure, using glass as walls, the family can interact with each other without causing much interference to their daily life. (cont.)

front view

side view

rear view

side view

project 03 In order to make use of food waste produced by humans, these waste are transported from the kitchen to Gregor’s glass cube. The narrow tube connecting the cube to the ground directs Gregor’s droppings, or we say faeces out of the house to the outside, which acts as fertilizer for the growing of trees in the surroundings.

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project 04

SEASIDE WORKSHOP. FOR AN EXPLORER

I design this conceptual seaside workshop perfect for an explorer. Explorers go into unknown territory seeking for knowledge and explaining its significance. An explorer sails around the Ocean or goes on expeditions passing the planets, sets off crossing continents to territories being land, sea or outerspace. This linear programmed workshop has the advantage for the explorer to produce his own wooden boat from logging in the forest, to experience the craftsmanship steps, like planking fastened to frames and a keel in the workshop. The whole process is a visual experience from entering the workshop from the woods, then gradually to the far end of the slope to the sea as the finishing point.

HKGBC

project 05

FROM VACANT TO VIBRANT. AN UNDER-BRIDGE REVITALIZATION PROJECT

Having tremendous infrastructure and buildings, how can spaces be better improved in densely populated Hong Kong? I am curious to discover how living spaces could be effectively utilized or revitalized applying alterations for betterment. I live near Tsing Yi North Bridge and the under-bridge is a wastage. I propose to revitalize it from vacant to vibrant, without causing damage to the current environment and maximizing the features for leisure activities the senior citizens.

My design focuses on five major concepts: Revitalization The under-bridge zone could be altered for the elderly with more floor spaces. Facilities like an Activity Centre, a Medical Centre, an Open Area with green plants (the garden) and decorative waterfall, walking track, recreation area, restaurant, mini supermarket or convenient store etc. will be planned. This revitalization is geographically and economically favorable, thus this conversion creates job opportunities.

Revitalization will be cost-effective and beneficial to the aging population. (cont.)

‘MY GREEN SPACE’ Proposal st 1 RUNNER UP

Renewable resources The conversion involves mainly renewable energy: solar photovoltaic and rain.

Installing solar photovoltaic panels to convert solar

power into electricity. Fixing floor-to-ceiling glass windows so users can enjoy natural sunlight. The garden provides space for elderly to walk leisurely to maintain good health. A decorative manmade waterfall collected rain water for operation, rain water will also be used for irrigation of the plants in the garden as well.

Greening Establishment of urban greening e.g. trees, plants shrubs, flowers for display in the garden creates a comfortable environment. The purpose of greening is to purify the air, reduce pollution and enhance the living condition. In this conversion, through flora planting, the elderly feel fresh in this enhanced area.

Natural materials To align with the environmentally friendly and sustainability concept, natural materials will be considered. As compared to cement, natural building materials like wood, bamboos and stones minimize the negative ecological impact. Timber Framing replaces nails and screws. Stones are suggested for pebble walking trails where the elderly enjoy foot massage. This transformation supplies vast green space to ditch the shoes, enjoy the grass between the toes walking barefoot and chill out in the ample grassy space.

Environmental sustainability From society needs, Elderly Centres are inadequate.

This place conducts activities like ‘Growing

your own garden’ where the elderly plant their own vegetables in the garden and create their own mini farms. They can grow without using chemicals, recycle kitchen waste as fertilizer and enjoy their own freshly grown vegetables. They can also enjoy interactions, do exercises and build a sense of belongings. To implement environmentally sustainability, planting greenery has environmental, economic and social benefits, thus improve the air quality. Trees help absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen so that the elderly can enjoy a better environment. Trees also reduce the pressure on heating and cooling and as a result, help save energy too.

EMOJI-RECREATION. ACRYLIC PAINTING ON CANVAS

project 06

Hong Kong people widely use the emoji ‘facepalm’, showing a boy’s face being covered by his hand reflecting his helplessness, discontent and frustration. As a Hong Kong teenager, I am facing a number of issues such as the political uncertainty, the study pressure and recently the epidemic.

Inspired by this chosen emoji, I recreate an acrylic painting on canvas to echo with the same helpless feeling I would like to bring out. The emojirecreation shows an old man’s face instead of a teenager’s, mirroring I am mature enough like an adult to embrace the challenges though feeling powerless. I hope that everything will be well-settled in the near future.

MORTAL AND MORTAR. PHOTOGRAPHY

project 07

How do we connect humans to buildings? Is there any interactions between them? Humans are surrounded by concrete walls especially in the place where in live in - Hong Kong, I am always encircled by high rise buildings.

Photography inspires me to associate the cold hard solid walls with humans and the SZU, CHINA

TAIKWUN, HONG KONG

relationship between them. Mortal brings life to mortar and enlightens the buildings with hope, interactions, emotions, work and love.