Design Trust Futures Studio 2018 Launches

14. 3. 2018

Design Trust is pleased to announce Design Trust Futures Studio (DTFS) 2018, a long-term flagship programme initiated and conceptualized by Marisa Yiu, Co-founder, Executive Director of Design Trust. Following on the positive momentum of last year’s inaugural DTFS, this year’s programme will expand on DTFS 2017’s impact on public spaces and extend the conceptual micro-park designs into built pilot parks across Hong Kong. Emphasising cross-discipline collaboration, experts from different fields will also contribute to the mentor-mentee teams in the exploration of materials, production, and to enhance public spaces in Hong Kong. With an aim to foster practical and innovative designs for different communities in Hong Kong, the teams will share and collaborate with members of the public, district councils, and design agencies in both public and private sectors.

This year’s programme can be defined by three main phases, where phase I (February to April 2018) is focused on site research and public engagement through a series of workshops and dialogues that drives the teams’ conceptual designs; phase II (April to August 2018) is the critical design phase where the teams will work closely with assigned contractors to finalise the human-centric park designs for specific communities; finally phase III (September 2018 to March 2019) is the build and construction phase where contractors will realise the teams’ visions for public enjoyment.

“In bringing various communities together, both in the public and private sector, educational arena and across borders, I hope we can advance a spirit of generosity and dialogue within our region and internationally. We advocate for the positive values of design in the role for shaping a better city and region we live in. Our new flagship programme Design Trust Futures Studio is a pilot programme to explore and experiment with new ideas, exchanges and ultimately transform the individual and collective notion of how we participate in the production of a city,” says Marisa Yiu.

A first gathering took place on Tuesday 6th February, kick-starting the programme with Designer Mentors and Mentees, as well as Advisors from the field of architecture and design, health and wellness, visual art and research, and collaborating government departments such as the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, and Architectural Services Department.

In the context of Hong Kong and its specific neighbourhoods, DTFS 2018 tackles and promotes the idea of innovation, leisure and play. Where “play is for the people”, the programme will create meaning from the people, for the people. Character of a specific site is as much the result of human action and desires as the original topography and urban transformation of the neighbourhoods. Looking especially into the context of different neighbourhoods in Hong Kong, Design Trust Futures Studio 2018 will culminate into a series of multi-functional public rest gardens, playground and sitting-out areas that supports the people’s needs. For more details on our upcoming events please see link below:
• 19 March | Design Trust Futures Studio “Futures of Urban Parks: Principles, Prototypes and Policy” featuring Richard Hassell (Co-Founder, WOHA)
• 21 April | Design Trust Futures Studio 2018 Concept Presentation

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to Campfire Collaborative Spaces for being our Introductory Workshop venue partner.