Capstone Project 2023-24
School of Design
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
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How can architectural space challenge the normative notions of space and temporalities by “sculpting in time”? The concept put forth by Russian director Andrei Tarkovsky invites contemplation through the lenses of philosophy and art, particularly in relation to duration and perception. Time, as perceived, is subjective and fluid. Each individual experiences the passage of time at their own pace, resulting in a subjective perception of temporal reality.
The project employs allegorical architecture as a critical tool to investigate the interaction between moving pictures and architecture. The design overlays the narrative of the film, “Stalker” (1979) by Tarkovsky, and an actual site—an abandoned Tong Lau building at Gage Street in Hong Kong, showcasing a imaginative journey “to the zone” in a different context. By juxtaposing fragments of spaces and temporalities, an alternative interpretation of the narrative is illustrated.
