Historic districts to open-air museums: how Hong Kong infused design into daily life

The Purpose

Creativity is flourishing in the city of Hong Kong, and it has recently contributed to diversifying the city’s tourism offerings. Presented by the Tourism Commission of Hong Kong and organized by the Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC), the three-year creative tourism project ‘Design District Hong Kong #ddHK’ was launched in 2018. This project aimed to create a sustainable model for creative tourism by reshaping citizens’ daily experiences and offering a fresh perspective on the city’s unique history, culture, and creativity.

The Challenge

To enhance the experience of both tourists and locals by blending Hong Kong’s rich history and local cultures through a series of creative placemaking initiatives in public spaces. Striking a balance between enhancing the experience for tourists and preserving the quality of life for local residents is a challenge.

DdHK collaborated with over 250 local and non-local designers, creative businesses, and community organizations, presenting more than 100 original artworks.

The Solution

Two historic districts of the city, renowned for their materials sourcing and creative offerings, Wan Chai and Sham Shui Po, were transformed into ‘Open-air Design District Museums.’ Creative public installations and tourism events were gradually introduced from 2018 to 2021. The goal was to convert public spaces into attractive destinations, infuse design into the daily lives of residents, and provide immersive experiences for tourists. The project also aimed to reconnect people with their neighborhoods, create economic opportunities, nurture creative talents, and foster cultural exchange.

Inclusive designs were curated and introduced in various parts of the districts to showcase stories of their past, present, and future:

• ‘BeHere,’ an e-placemaking augmented reality (AR) work designed by Japanese new media artist Masaki Fujihata, was presented in the first year under the theme ‘Connected City: A Love Letter to Hong Kong.’ It offered visitors a virtual journey along the original coastline of Wan Chai, showing local livelihoods from the past and the city’s transformation from a small fishing village to the present international financial center.
• In the second year, under the theme ‘Pop! Get Inspired at Every Turn,’ programs featured a Memphis-styled ‘Walala Mansion’ designed by British designer Camille Walala. There was also a hop-on, hop-off journey on the city’s iconic double-decker trams adorned with popular local comic characters, creating a playful, whimsical, and vibrant atmosphere in Wan Chai district’s largest open spaces and streets.
• The final year of the project was filled with futuristic ideas and creations. To kick-start this phase, a pioneering experimental event called the ‘Heart of Cyberpunk Immersive Fashion Experience’ was launched in Sham Shui Po. It involved multidisciplinary designs, art, music, film, performance, art tech, comic, and merchandise, creating a surreal sci-fi city in a disused market building beneath an elevated highway. Local businesses collaborated with creatives to offer immersive experiences, and under-represented groups in the neighborhood were engaged. Local materials were sourced for event setup and exhibit production. As the project’s culmination, an open-air exhibition under the theme ‘transFORM’ was curated, featuring seven sets of design installations along the iconic Victoria Harbour promenade. Among the creative works was the acclaimed Skynet art ‘River of Light’ by Poetic Kinetics, resembling a murmuration of flocking birds or a school of fish, which became a part of the unique cityscape of the Pearl of the Orient.

The Impact

DdHK collaborated with over 250 local and non-local designers, creative businesses, and community organisations, presenting more than 100 original artworks. This initiative injected new vitality into traditional public spaces, added elements of surprise to walking routes, and seamlessly blended entertainment with street businesses.

Source: World Cities Culture Report 2022

Images Courtesy © Getty/Canva