Design Trust in the News and Upcoming Grants & Programmes Highlights | July – September 2026

Design Trust Upcoming Grants & Programmes Highlights | July – September 2026

Upcoming and ongoing Design Trust grantees exhibition and programmes including Design Trust Feature Grant research publication “Plugin House” by People’s Architecture Office presented at the exhibition “Plugin Stories” at Yulin Song Project Space host by Liu Jiakun in Chengdu; Design Trust Seed Grant design research “Public Parasols: Stories of Shade in Subtropical Hong Kong” by Chang Su exhibited at Taiwan Design Research Institute; and ongoing exhibition “Well-being in the City”at the Casa de la Arquitectura in Madrid.

Hong Kong Architectural Legacy Symposium | Keynote Dialogue between Lord Norman Foster and Lead Curator Marisa Yiu

Keynote Dialogue between Lord Norman Foster and Lead Curator Marisa Yiu

Design Trust is pleased to share the Keynote Dialogue between Lord Norman Foster and Lead Curator Marisa Yiu. Lord Norman Foster shares on his reflection: “Design is ultimately about anticipating the future creating buildings and cities that are resilient, humanistic, and open to change. The Hongkong Bank building was a radical departure from the typical office tower; it was also an expression of optimism, of confidence in the city’s future, and of the extraordinary energy that defines Hong Kong.”

Launch of Hong Kong Architectural Legacy Symposium Full Documentary

Full documentary of “Hong Kong Architectural Legacy Symposium” is now available online.

The full documentary of “Hong Kong Architectural Legacy Symposium” by Design Trust on April 9th 2026 at HSBC Main Building on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the building designed by Lord Norman Foster is launched. The symposium brought together, a distinguished roster of creators and thought leaders to explore how Central’s iconic buildings and spaces animate cultural practice, from photography and design to everyday life of Hong Kong.

Design Trust 2026 April Cycle Grant Recipients | October Cycle Call for Grants themed “Technology as Community”

Applications for the next grant cycle will close on 20th October 2026. Apply now!

2026 October cycle for applications for Design Trust Seed Grant and Feature Grant, supporting projects and research responding to the 2026 theme “Technology as Community” is now open. Share with us your ideas and proposals by October 20th 2026! We are also pleased to announce the Grant Recipients from the 2026 April grant cycle, including research topics on urban culture, marine technology, digital archive and ecological study.

Design Trust Grant Programmes Spotlight & International News

“Well-being in the City” Exhibition at Casa de la Arquitectura in Madrid.

Design Trust spotlights Grant projects and Design Trust Futures Studio initiatives in the ongoing international exhibitions and conferences including the “Well-being in the City” Exhibition at Casa de la Arquitectura in Madrid, and the International Union of Architects (UIA) World Congress of Architects in Barcelona, along with exciting news on alumni Design Trust fellows and grantees leading international biennales from Shenzhen, Arnhem to Venice.

Design Trust Grant Recipient | Exhibition “Marine Arteries – Ma Wan Dragon Boat” by Island Studies Network (HK)

“Marine Arteries - Ma Wan Dragon Boat” by Island Studies Network (HK)

With the recent Dragon Boat Festival, we look back to Design Trust Feature Grant research exhibition “Marine Arteries - Ma Wan Dragon Boat” led by Dr. Leung Po Shan, Anthony of Island Studies Network (HK) presented at Hong Kong Maritime Museum earlier this year. The exhibition featured the cultural history of Ma Wan’s dragon boats from a design perspective, combining artefacts, infographics, and historical documents with a series of public programmes.

Design Trust Grant Recipient | Exhibition and Publication “Recollection: Tao Ho” by Charles Lai presented at the Hong Kong Arts Centre

“Recollection: Tao Ho” Exhibition led by Charles Lai

Design Trust Feature Grant research “Recollection: Tao Ho” Exhibition by Charles Lai was recently presented at the Hong Kong Arts Centre, co-founded and designed by the late Sir Tao Ho and opened in 1977, unveiling the multi-faceted legacy of Tao Ho, focusing on his innovative ”Architecture Blocks“ and the philosophical depth behind his iconic built works in Hong Kong, whilst tracing the evolution of Hong Kong’s modern culture and architectural history.