Design Trust Futures Studio Micro-parks Publication Launch and Exhibition Preview

DESIGN TRUST FUTURES STUDIO MICRO-PARKS

PUBLICATION LAUNCH & EXHIBITION PREVIEW

DESIGN TRUST FUTURES STUDIO:

from Smallness, Playfulness to Community Impact

(Hong Kong, 21 November 2023) Design Trust, an initiative of the Hong Kong Ambassadors of Design, is pleased to announce the book launch of “Design Trust Futures Studio: from Smallness, Playfulness to Community Impact”. With the completion of four micro-parks Yi Pei Square Playground, Portland Street Rest Garden, Sitting-out Area under Flyover in Hill Road and Hamilton Street Rest Garden, the publication provides an extensive review of Design Trust Futures Studio 2017 “Small is Meaningful” and Design Trust Futures Studio 2018 “Play is for the People” programmes and the subsequent construction process, as well as documentation of the built parks, ongoing research survey and insightful reflections leading to 2023 from the public, private and communities on the future of public space in Hong Kong. As a finale moment of more than five years of creative collaboration on public space in Hong Kong, the publication strives to provide valuable recommendations for future public and private community partnerships in the region with a “Collective Creative Manifesto”. The publication is officially launched on November 16^th 2023 along with the preview of Design Trust Futures Studio Micro-parks Exhibition, which is open by appointment from December 2023 to March 2024.

Curated and conceptualised by Marisa Yiu, Co-founder, Executive Director of Design Trust, Design Trust Futures Studio is Design Trust’s flagship programme that launched in 2017, advocating for the positive values of design in the role for shaping a better Hong Kong and the region we live in. “We are thrilled to be able to go beyond conceptual ideation to bring our pilot micro-park concept design into reality across Hong Kong. It is an outcome of numerous site research and analysis, various public engagement sessions and collective efforts from public and private agencies since 2018, aiming at introducing unique design to public space in Hong Kong, and injecting new energy and ideas with minimal intervention. The publication is a culmination of such efforts as a testament of cross-disciplinary creative efforts and public private community partnership” says Yiu. “I extend my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for the partners involved – from private and public agencies, partners, advisors to all the contractors, and I look forward to sharing this wonderful journey through this publication very soon.”

Expanded upon Design Trust Futures Studio 2018 “Play is for the People” documentary book, DESIGN TRUST FUTURES STUDIO: from Smallness, Playfulness to Community Impact reveals the design process of four design teams: Yi Pei Square Playground team of Stephen Ip, Kay Chan, Christopher Choi and Jonathan Mak mentored by Mimi Hoang; Portland Street Rest Garden team of Ricky Lai, Xavier Tsang, Wendy Wu and Kam Fai Hung mentored by Sam Jacob; Sitting-out Area under Flyover in Hill Road team of Aron Tsang, Andy Cheng, Zoey Chan  and Jose Fu mentored by Gary Chang; and Hamiton Street Rest Garden team of Sylvia Chan, Vivian Ng, Samuel Wong, Elaine Tsui, and Owen Chim mentored by Stanley Wong in 2018, while also presenting a comprehensive documentation of the construction and implementation process of the four micro-parks. Edited by Marisa Yiu and Zheng Zhou, the publication features critical reflections and interview transcripts from more than 20 architects, designers, experts, academics and researchers including Elizabeth Diller, Richard Hassel, Donald Choi and Fan Lok Yi, providing a critical examination of public space and community partnership from DTFS programmes and constructive lessons learned from this process. The volume also includes post-occupancy survey findings developed by Design Trust team in collaboration with DTFS2018 mentee designer Kay Chan and Design Trust Seed Grant recipient Massimiliano Dappero during the summer of 2023, continuing the discussion on how the micro-parks and public space in Hong Kong could be shaped in the region for a collective and inspiring future.

“This unexpected, yet urgent Design Trust Futures Studio Micro-Parks Publication 2023 edition is a culmination of editing 2017, 2018 editions with highlights into a comprehensive documentation of the built microparks that have enlivened our city, during the height of the recent challenging times up to 2023.” Yiu continues, “I do hope this book gives us inspiration into a process to unveil its potential and making the invisible process of design research and production visible that adds value to all walks of life and restore the importance of public, private and community-based partnerships. The micro-park programme that was conceived as speculative and conceptual, and now built into reality, deepens our passion for exploring new modes of collaboration and many individuals that show care and compassion throughout the journey. That in itself is inspiring.”

Since 2018, Design Trust Futures Studio (DTFS) has been working alongside public and private agencies including Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Architectural Services Department and the former Policy Innovation and Coordination Office. As conceptual designer and lead organiser, DTFS led and engaged, conducted research and design of four micro-parks as public spaces of the future.

DESIGN TRUST FUTURES STUDIO:

from Smallness, Playfulness to Community Impact

Editors:

Marisa Yiu, Zheng Zhou

Contributors:

Marisa Yiu, Yaşar Adanali, Chris Yuen, Mark Blackwell, Selva Gürdogan, Project for Public Spaces, Helen Fan Lok Yi, Zheng Zhou

Interviews/Dialogues/Conversation participants (including architects, designers, mentees to advisors or partners/collaborators involved from policy-makers to Local groups):

Elizabeth Diller, Mimi Hoang, Daryl Ng, Nelson Chen, Donald Choi, Douglas Wu, Christopher Law, Henry Wong, Edward Tse, Astley Chan, Denise Ng, Jeff Ho, Wendy Wu, Xavier Tsang, Ricky Lai, Kam Fai Hung, Aron Tsang, Stephen Ip, Elaine Tsui, Sylvia Chan, Yow Ko, Kevin Siu.

Price: HKD 280 /copy

The publication is available for ordering online and at Design Trust Studio. All proceeds will go towards education, micro-parks, design development projects, and research grants for the DESIGN TRUST initiative, created in 2014 by registered charity Hong Kong Ambassadors of Design that was founded in 2007. Please refer to the website page here for more details.