Perspective Monthly October 2011

No one doubts the worthiness of Zaha Hadid being selected for a 2011 Royal Insitute of British Architects international award for her design for the Guangzhou Opera House. However, recent news of what appear to be significant problems(leaks, cracks, falling glass panes) at the building have sparked the question of whether or not RIBA awards should be given to structurally deficient projects.

Should the design architect remain personally involved with the building he or she has designed throughout the process, from initial sketch to realised project? Who should bear responsibility for a building that may later prove structurally unsound - the architect? Engineer? Project manager? Construction company?

There is a convincing argument that if a design architect is happy to claim kudos credit and awards for a particular building, then they should also ready to accept the brickbats. There should be no fobbing off of responsibility for shoddy workmanship or sub-standard construction materials or methods, particularly when a client has paid £130 million to build it.

After all, if a building is not fit for purpose, what is it fit for?

Perspective Monthly September 2011

There is no doubt whatsoever that schools today are vastly different from those many of us remember from our youth. In my case, making life easier for students and more conducive to the learning process was never part of the equation; I doubt it ever crossed anyone’s mind, even the students themselves. We turned up to our concrete-box classrooms, obediently sat in rows and (mostly) paid attention to the teacher at the blackboard shouting facts at us.

This is a comment made by a young Guangzhou native named Peng Yanhui, quoted in the Sunday Morning Post. Peng is taking a stand against what he sees as a growing problem of excessive waste and over-development; in April, he shaved his head to protest the Chinese government’s plan for a HK$180 million lighting project on the banks of the Pearl River which is more about advertising and tourism revenue than any quality-of-life benefit for residents.

University wasn’t much different. We had a big library and a ‘students’ union’ building, but for the most part, learning or not learning was pretty much left up to the individual. Professors sat in their allocated study rooms, where they hosted small discussion/study groups, emerging only to administer a lecture to a crowded hall.

What is puzzling is who exactly greenlights and executes these bloated, badly designed and ill thought-through projects in the first place. Architects, designers and urban planners complain vociferously about standards (or lack thereof) of modern urban infrastructure projects, and how the public interest is often bulldozed. Governments insist they are adhering to the highest standards and that public interest is paramount. So why is there so much protest and criticism from the end-users — that is, the public — if all parties are getting it right, as they insist they are?

How vastly different academia and pedagogy are now. Today, it’s all about nurturing, encouraging and supporting students; providing equipment and spaces that are flexible; and encouraging teaching staff to mingle and merge with the student population. Formal classrooms are increasingly becoming redundant as wireless technology and computing transcend four walls.

But while freedom and flexibility are today’s bywords in pedagogy, pressure has vastly increased on students. They are expected to know more, do more, understand more and produce more than we ever were — at just 13, my daughters were already expected to produce research-driven essay projects for school that far exceeded anything I was required to do at university level in my day.

So while I envy the amazing new schools, colleges and universities being designed and built today, I certainly don’t covet the stresses of being a student in the 21st century.

Perspective Monthly August 2011

"A beautiful, developed and civilised [city] is not about having more lights, tall buildings or humongous infrastructure projects. A good city comes from good urban planning, where people feel more connected to each other."

This is a comment made by a young Guangzhou native named Peng Yanhui, quoted in the Sunday Morning Post. Peng is taking a stand against what he sees as a growing problem of excessive waste and over-development; in April, he shaved his head to protest the Chinese government’s plan for a HK$180 million lighting project on the banks of the Pearl River which is more about advertising and tourism revenue than any quality-of-life benefit for residents.

Peng is not an architect, designer or urban planner. So how is it that he has nonetheless hit the nail on the head, while architects, designers, urban planners — and government officials — apparently plough on regardless, undertaking obscenely wasteful, extravagant and ultimately damaging projects of the kind Peng deplores?

What is puzzling is who exactly greenlights and executes these bloated, badly designed and ill thought-through projects in the first place. Architects, designers and urban planners complain vociferously about standards (or lack thereof) of modern urban infrastructure projects, and how the public interest is often bulldozed. Governments insist they are adhering to the highest standards and that public interest is paramount. So why is there so much protest and criticism from the end-users — that is, the public — if all parties are getting it right, as they insist they are?

As always, it appears that it is all too easy for our illustrious industry and government leaders to talk the talk, as long as they don’t have to walk the walk. What a shame.

Perspective Monthly July 2011

Our annual Luxury Issue is always a tough one to compile, because everyone’s definition of luxury is so different. To some, it’s about gold taps, crystal dolphins in the bathtub and ‘mood lighting’. Others may scorn the bling, preferring quieter, less obvious design elements (cool marble, exquisitely carved wood, discretely luxe fabrics and fittings).

Or is luxury about what we want, but can’t afford? Time? Space? An escape from the hustle and bustle of work and the city to a quieter, greener environment — or, indeed, vice-versa?

In Hong Kong, which surely leads the world in forcing you to recalibrate your expectations or what you deem to be minimal levels of acceptability in just about anything in life, most of us would probably list ‘a home of our own’ as the ultimate luxury to strive for. Or perhaps even something far more mundane as "a master bedroom large enough to fit bed AND wardrobe" or "a kitchen which doesn’t require acrobatic manouvres should more than one person wish to enter at the same time".

On those terms, then, we hope you enjoy the pure escapism of this issue. .

Perspective Monthly June 2011

The words 'inspirational' or 'unique' aren't usually associated with commercial spaces, which tend to be a triumph of function over form. What joy, then, to discover places like the Niyang River Visitor Centre in Tibet, where angular architecture and bright, pop art colours are the order of the day. Or the beautiful wooden ‘pods’ at Hermes’ stunning new flagship store, built in what used to be an old swimming pool, dating back to 1935.

Like the Hermès flagship, the new Miele House showroom in Shanghai also occupies a historic property, as does the BNP Paribas ‘concept store’ in Paris. The other places and spaces featured in this issue might be in newer buildings or smaller spaces, but what they all have in common is a design ethos of the highest order. These are not merely places of business, they also promote a strong message about their brand or their company, and what they stand for.

Perspective Monthly May 2011

Our annual 40 Under 40 programme is always an exciting time of year for us. Seeing the level of young talent out there inspires and fills us with hope for a better future in a time when it is all too easy to grow cynical and disenchanted with the world.

Greedy developers, clients with no vision other than the bottom-line, cookie-cutter designs — all these things conspire to make us believe that there is no passion left for beauty and excellence. But just take a look at our 40 honorees this year, and the kind of work and ideas they are producing, and your spirits will be lifted.

Similarly, the news that the long-awaited restoration of Hong Kong’s historic King Yin Lei mansion on Stubbs Road has been completed is another positive sign. Thanks to public pressure and the tireless work of the Conservancy Association of Hong Kong, a heritage advocacy group, this beautiful building, designed by British architect AR Fenton-Rayen and completed in 1937, was finally preserved by government action just over three years ago.

Between building our future and preserving our past, these are clear signs that we may, at last, be taking steps in the right direction.

Perspective Monthly April 2011

At this month’s Brain Trust (see page 79), the issue of the urban fabric was placed under the spotlight. Our panel, comprising learned architects, planners, academics, activists and designers, all agreed on one thing: that virtually no city has yet managed to get it right, Hong Kong included.

On a superficial level at least, government planners and ordinary citizens seem to be poles apart in terms of what they want from urban planning. Does this mean governments have lost sight of what constitutes responsible urban design — the aim of which should be, surely, to improve the lives of its citizens? All too often, we see urban planning projects and decisions which seem to be purely for the benefit of the few — read that to mean property developers — rather than the many. Or does the urban chaos which defines so many Asian cities happen because the public just doesn’t want to get involved?

Hong Kong, for one, needs to stop looking over its shoulder at what other cities are doing, and trying to mimic or compete against them. We need to find solutions for Hong Kong which are in response to Hong Kong’s unique situation and issues, and stop trying to paper over the cracks with a plan that simply does not make sense.

Perspective Monthly March 2011

Talented young architect Bjarke Ingels – named one of Perspective’s 40 Under 40 rising stars last year – is wise far beyond his years. In Copenhagen, his firm’s latest project, 8 House, features green roofs, optimisation of daylight and natural ventilation, collection and reuse of rainwater and a construction process that favoured economically- and environmentally-sound methods – but the development isn’t being marketed as 'green'.

As our feature on page 94 reveals, Ingels seems hesitant to glorify these ‘green’ elements or label 8 House a sustainable development. He believes quite simply that sustainable practices should be a normal part of modern architecture, as cost-efficient, exciting and innovative as any other methods. This, as writer Annie Gotterson notes, goes against popular opinion, which seems to be that sacrifice is an inherent part of sustainability, and that sustainable practices are always more expensive.

Meanwhile, Ingels also points out a truth that few developers or clients seem aware of: that business models based on depleting natural resources are not going to create long-term growth. His attitude is a shining beacon of hope in the darkness. Let us hope that more will also see the light.

Perspective Monthly February 2011

This month internationalisation is the name of the game. Design continues to evolve for the better as changing trends and styles ultimately alter our perspective. Whether in Asia, Europe or anywhere else in the world, good design will always be recognised as good design. The internet has played a large part in opening up the world to all forms of design and style — we no longer have to go to the mountain, for the mountain comes to us through cyberspace.

Design events, fairs and conferences, international speakers and talented industry individuals shine a light in the darkness as a new age of global involvement is upon us. The ever-increasing sophistication of consumers and international trade has forced brands and companies to compete not only on the business front, but also in terms of aesthetic appeal, to win over the heart of the buyer.

Yes, designers have to work harder than ever, but on the upside, they get more coverage than previously possible. A golden age has been ushered in, offering them a wider fan base, with inspiration always just around the corner. Never has there been a better time for the industry.

Perspective Monthly January 2011

Two recent events in Hong Kong demonstrated two quite apposite - and opposite - approaches to art. Butchers Deluxe, which Perspective co-sponsored, took the humble red plastic lamp - an icon of industrial design, seen in wet markets and butchers' shops all across the territory - out of its comfort zone and into upmarket gallery Contemporary by Angela Li.

Thirteen local and international designers reimaged the classic lampshade and the unique, one-of-a-kind results are being auctioned for charity - see our story on page 56 for more details, and www.butchersdeluxe.com for information on bidding for the designer lamps.

Bringing art out of the confines of four walls and spotlighting, on the other hand, is City-O-Rama, curated by artist/architect duo Laurent Gutierrez and Valerie Portefix of Map Office for H-Kage Foundation (see page 63). Conceived as a 'terasure hunt' of sorts, the mutlti-sited installation sees video art screened at 10 different locations across Soho: wet markets, florists and, of course, a butcher's shop.

Both Butchers Deluxe and City-O-Rama exemplify what art should be: surprising, delightful and, sometimes, where you least expect to find it.

Perspective Monthly December 2010

As 2010 draws to a close, it is time once again to take stock of where we are. Over the past 12 months, the global economy has shown signs of recovery, construction in Asia continues apace and, in Hong Kong, the voice of the community has become ever louder with regards to our built environment.

All these are great things.

And the annual Perspective Awards is always a good barometer of how the industry is doing in general. With more judges, categories, entries and winners than ever before, we believe this year’s programme has raised the bar for 2011 — not just for architects and designers, but for us here at Perspective as well. Next year, we have even bigger plans and ambitions for the Awards; however, for now, we salute everyone who participated (whether or not you went home with an award on the gala presentation night) and thank you all for your continued support.

While post-mortems have their value, we are opting to look forward, not back, as we prepare to greet the new year. Let us build on what we have achieved and set our sights even higher.

Perspective Monthly November 2010

Last year in Hong Kong, property prices rose an average of 30 per cent, according to a report in the South China Morning Post — hands up any Hong Konger who received a 30 per cent pay rise in the last 12 months...? Anyone? No, didn’t think so.

Hong Kong’s property market is, for want of a more sophisticated description, weird. News of new buildings or developments or redevelopments are characteristically met with vocal opposition from residents or concerned citizens, who will cite anything from potential traffic problems (narrow streets and massive new high-rises do not a happy marriage make) to heritage conservation and even fung shui (a columbarium near my condo? No way!) as grounds for protest.

In fact, the only time Hong Kongers seem to like new construction is when they can potentially make huge profits from it, usually by buying and selling residential units with little more regard than playing a game of giant, life-size Monopoly. Design and aesthetics, never mind issues such as sustainable builds or environmentally-friendly materials, are generally of little consequence, which may explain the predilection of developers to throw up massive concrete boxes balanced on giant ‘podiums’ and then call them names like ‘Billionaire Royale’ or ‘The Hill Paramount’ or something equally nonsensical.

Almost every new development boasts ‘luxury flats’; meanwhile, legislators and grass- roots groups are calling on the Hong Kong government to build more small to medium-sized apartments for those of us who don’t have more money than God. The joke is, of course, that owning your own home in Hong Kong is in itself a luxury (it’s apparently no longer a basic human entitlement) and those ‘luxury flats’ are, for the most part, already miniscule.

In the greater scheme of Hong Kong’s urban development, it sadly appears that quality of life has been trampled into non-existence; we are, it seems, our own worst enemies.

Perspective Monthly October 2010

In the forthcoming 2010/11 edition of Interiors+, designer Cameron Woo says: “Look out the window and look at nature… Sometimes I look out my window into my garden and I think to myself that God is the best decorator in the world.”

Inspirational words indeed, and in this issue of Perspective, three properties in particular prove the point. The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat in Ipoh, Malaysia, is located in a spectacular area of tropical forests — and is partially built into the caves of the limestone hills where it sits. A meditation cave, steam room and a bar/lounge are just some of the guest spaces which capitalise on the astonishing rock formations generated over thousands of years.

On the other side of the planet is the IceHotel, located in Jukkasjärvi, 200km north of the Arctic Circle. Constructed out of ice harvested at springtime from Torne River, artists and designers from around the world use this natural resource to carve a hotel that is truly and literally one of a kind. And when winter is over and temperatures slowly rise, the hotel returns to its source, melting back into the landscape from whence it came.

Then, at the far south end of the world, Pretty Beach House sits in one of Australia’s most spectacular national parks, Bouddi; again, design and architecture draw on the landscape and, in some cases, incorporate it. Ancient eucalypts and agophoras grow through purpose-built holes in the wooden deck that ends with a wrap-around lap pool, making the trees and surrounding vegetation part of the buildings themselves.

Of course, it takes human involvement to transform all these natural elements and settings into suitable habitation for today’s traveller. While we marvel at skyscrapers and astonishing new technology and gizmos, it is sometimes worth reminding ourselves that in more often than not, Mother Nature got there first — and will never cease to impress.

Perspective Monthly September 2010

NOT IN MY BACKYARD

The phenomenon of 'nimby' — 'not in my back yard' — is not unique to Hong Kong. Essentially, it refers to the indifference most people feel to any kind of injustice or breach (whether legal, political, social or environmental) unless it directly affects them. In Hong Kong, the community is starting to put a new spin on 'nimby'; now, the phrase is starting to mean 'I'm not going to let that happen in my back yard'.

Recently, the Town Planning Board announced the publication of the draft Tai Long Sai Wan development permission area (DPA) plan, following major public outcry upon the discovery that a private developer had begun to construct what Tai Long villagers said was a villa, tennis court and landscaped grounds adjacent to government land — and creating significant pollution and disruption to a pristine beach.

The entire area has been designated as ‘unspecified use’, pending detailed analysis and studies; this means that in the future, any developments in the zone will be regulated by the Town Planning Ordinance. The WWF has been petitioning the government to declare Tai Long Sai Wan a conservation zone, urging a holistic review of the territory’s nature conservation policy together with its overall land policy.

As with the saving of the historic tenements on Wing Lee Street, the community of Hong Kong has had its voice heard, and made an impact on both the urban and rural landscape. This growing sense of ownership and awareness is something to be proud of.

Perspective Monthly August 2010

To dream the impossible dream

To paraphrase Shakespeare's Hamlet, something is rotten in the state of Hong Kong, where the press has been full of stories of tiny apartments (featuring closet-sized bedrooms where, if you stretch out your arms, you can touch the opposing walls) commanding prices that simply boggle the mind. If you were to save HK$20,000 every month for four years, you'd barely have enough for the down payment on an average flat - maybe. And let's bear in mind that, in four years, the price on that property you're eyeing will have soared out of your reach.

People make jokes about the value of the Vietnamese dong, but in Hong Kong, we're not far behind when it comes to the value of our dollar on the property market. In short, it buys very, very little indeed - when you have to fork out HK$2 million just to buy a spot in a carpark, you know something is seriously twisted.

The Urban Renewal Authority (URA), a government-sanctioned taskforce whose mission is ostensibly to renew and regenerate run-down properties and areas in Hong Kong, isn't helping. In fact, it's probably contributing significantly to the problem of over-priced property in the territory - in mid-June, it was revealed that over the last five years, its 'renewal' projects have netted a profit of more than HK$2 billion. This represents a surplus up to 42 times its redevelopment costs.

Making a profit to ensure its work can go on without straining the taxpayer's dollar is important.

But when residents are forced out of their properties under URA jurisdiction - and then find it impossible to find substitute housing in the area, never mind the luxury highrise which replaces their home of many years, because of sky-rocketing prices - that's just plain wrong.

The issue seems to be that the URA, for whatever reasons, acts hand-in-hand with private property developers on its projects. These developers have only one concern: the financial bottom line. That's fine. They're businesses. That's what they do. But the URA? Surely people should be its bottom line. The piecemeal style of redevelopment it has adopted also does nothing for Hong Kong's urban planning.

As for its over-stuffed coffers, the URA's defence is that its vast surpluses will be ploughed back into 'unprofitable' projects, such as the redevelopment of the historic Central Market and the revitalisation of tenements in Mongkok. It's hard not to scoff, given the role the authority has played in driving up property prices in general to astronomical highs - just as it is hard to feel sorry for Henderson Land, now under fierce scrutiny after the high-priced sales of 20 luxury flats at its development in Mid-Levels mysteriously fell through. A recent survey showed a high degree of cynicism among Hong Kongers with regards to the case; many believe Henderson deliberately manipulated the market to drive up prices overall.

Whether this is true has not been determined.

What is undisputable fact, however, is that for the average person, buying property in Hong Kong will remain an impossible dream.

Perspective Monthly July 2010

The definition of 'luxury' differs from one person to the next - and is constantly changing.

Compare, if you will, the flashy opulence of royal palaces such as Versailles, with the understated elegance of an Aman property. The former is all about showing off one's wealth; at the latter, there isn't a gold-plated tap in sight, yet both are eloquent demonstrations of the best that money can buy.

There is a growing trend toward luxury which doesn't cost the Earth - literally. Versailles was built at huge ecological, social and financial cost; in this new millennium, architects and designers are starting to tread more lightly.

The breathtaking Odin House in Niseko, Japan, was constructed with locally-sourced and sustainable materials, while double-glazing and an advanced geothermal pump system providing the heating needs of the property from the ground ensure significant energy requirements and emissions.

In the United Arab Emirates, the ambitious Dubai Pearl is a vast mixed-used development which has already acquired the LEED Gold pre-certification and aims to achieve full certification upon completion in 2013.

At Aman's exquisite resorts in Bali, traditional construction methods and materials were used. Villas feature thatched roofs, furniture is made with local woods and rattan, and community outreach programmes ensure that neighbouring villages benefit from the bounty brought in by well-heeled foreign visitors.

In other words, it's all about quiet luxury, discreet luxury - luxury which has no need to shout out its pedigree or show off.

Perspective Monthly June 2010

Back in the 1950s and '60s, filmmakers envisioned a future in which cars could fly and we all wore silver space-suits. Their flights of fantasy seem modest in light of the leaps and bounds technology has made in the 21st century - like mobile telephones which can take photos, shoot videos, play music and browse an invisible universe called the 'world wide web', all via a screen which responds to the touch of a finger.

A scant 30 years ago, the internet didn't exist. Telex machines, pagers and typewriters still ruled. Few homes could afford the luxury of a vacuum cleaner, and architects and designers still relied on pencils and sketchbooks.

While technology has certainly taken the grind out of certain tasks (thank goodness for electronic calculators), it does increasingly seem that we are all running at a hundred miles an hour, just to stay on the same spot.

Pernilla Johansson, design director for Electrolux Asia-Pacific, pointed out that technology is not so much about time-saving as it is about labour-saving, and she's right. We're certainly busier than we ever were - technology has made it possible for us to do three times as much as we used to, in less than half the time.

And the panellists at this month's Poggenpohl Brain Trust noted that it doesn't matter how clever technology might be or become - it's still human creative input which drives the result.

Is all this new technology really helping, though? Sometimes, as we sit in our shoeboxsized apartments peering out through tiny windows at a grimy cityscape, we have to wonder what we have given up to get where we are today.

Perspective Monthly April 2010

One of the questions which has come up regarding the issue of heritage preservation and the ongoing battle in Hong Kong to save Wing Lee Street is "where are the voices of the architects?"

It seems perplexing that while 'ordinary' people are increasingly vocal about the need to find a better way forward than simply tearing down old buildings, the architectural community is oddly silent. And it is even more perplexing to think that, perhaps, the reason they aren’t speaking up is out of fear of offending potential clients or losing lucrative projects or, possibly, because they agree that to build our future, we do need to destroy our past.

So does hope lie only with the young? If this is true, then maybe we need to turn to the stars who shine in Perspective's annual 40 Under 40. Once again, they demonstrate youthful enthusiasm and the kind of creative daring that often fades as we become older, as boldness gives way to pragmatism or, occasionally, to outright cynicism.

Intriguingly, the panellists who participated in our inaugural Brain Trust session, which focused on creativity and teaching, all agreed that one of the problems of the Hong Kong educational system is that it does not encourage students to speak up, to challenge the status quo, to take that leap of faith to true originality and creativity. Perhaps it is time for practising architects themselves to speak up; to be heard publicly and vocally on important issues such as heritage preservation, or the need for affordable housing, or the critical subject of quality of living space, rather than simply shrugging their collective shoulders and saying "well, that's just the way things are and there’s nothing we can do about it".

Leading by example is surely one of the best ways to teach, isn't it? And who better to learn from than the very people in our community who are responsible for the way our city looks, and how it will look in the future. As Theodore Roosevelt pointed out, with great power comes great responsibility – and we look forward to our local architecture community stepping up to the plate.

Perspective Monthly April 2010

In Macau, public disapproval is rising over what is viewed as wholesale and unnecessary destruction of some of the city's historic architecture. Under the spotlight are the Fai Chi Kei Social Housing Blocks - winning the ARCAsia gold medal for design in 1995 is not enough to save them.

Now, we learn that in Macau's allegedly governmentprotected area and, in fact, inside the Unesco-designated 'Heritage Corridor', old buildings near Lilau Square are in the process of being demolished, as were the Mong Ha Military Barracks last year.

The rising tide of community concern in Macau mirrors that in Hong Kong, where public calls for the protection of the historic Wing Lee Street - targeted for redevelopment by the Urban Renewal Association (URA) - are growing louder. The street, made famous in the award-winning film Echoes of the Rainbow, has provided a focus point for growing anti-URA sentiment.

Meanwhile, at the Copenhagen climate change summit late last year, International Union of Architects president Louise Cox was shocked to discover that the average person on the street had no idea what architects were doing at the conference. "That's scary, because obviously the community doesn't understand that what we do can either reduce all these things - or make them worse," she said in a podcast for World Architecture News.

The annual Perspective Green Roundtable concluded that there is no magic bullet; that a whole range of measures need to be put in place and practices adopted in order to achieve the dream. At the end of the day, it seems inevitable that it is only the big developers and Mammon who will win. How sad, and how ironic, that both our past and our future are determined by them.

Perspective Monthly March 2010

Britains Prince Charles has never been a great fan of modern architecture or modern architects, for that matter. His passion is fuelled in large part by his concern for the environment; he has long urged architects and developers to return to traditional building materials, such as those used in the construction of his model Dorset village, Poundbury. In this months Perspective, we see that some have taken heed of his words. At the Ecolodge in Egypt and the Pearl Fashion Academy in Jaipur, India, construction techniques and materials which have been in use for generations were applied.

The planet has been degraded and destroyed faster and with more long-ranging consequences in just the last 50 years than in the 500 before. As Prince Charles astutely observed, We must act now by using traditional methods and materials to work with Nature, rather than against her.

Perspective Monthly February 2010

When you consider the vast amount of time most of us spend at the office, you do have to wonder why bosses make so little effort to create workspaces which are not just pleasant, but also help boost productivity. How many of us endure drudgy corporate grey or beige décor; tiny, cramped cubicles; insufficient desk space; chairs which are simply uncomfortable to sit on for any length of time; poor lighting… the list goes on.

So it is heartening to see that there are some companies which are prepared to invest in creating an environment in which their employees can be comfortable, which are also aesthetically pleasing. At Facebook’s San Francisco headquarters, for example, the designers asked staff for their input; at fashion label Initial’s premises in a converted yarn factory in Hong Kong, founder and antique enthusiast Eric Fong wanted the new space to be modern, yet infused with a sense of European vintage. Leo Burnett’s Singapore office reflects the creative nature of its business, and gives employees a chance to personalise the space themselves.

On a larger scale, the British Embassy in Warsaw demonstrates that high-security doesn’t have to mean iron bars and window grids; and Philippe Chaix is pushing for the regeneration of La Défense, a dedicated business district in the west of Paris. Arthur Erickson once said vitality is radiated from exceptional art and architecture. Sure it is time for businesses to realise this and act upon it for the benefit not just of their own bottomline, but for their most important resource: their people.

Perspective Monthly January 2010

By 2015, the World Bank forecasts that half of the world’s new building construction will take place in China. The pace which was set in anticipation of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games has continued, but lagging behind, however, is China’s ‘software’ — the knowledge, expertise and skills required at top-flight level in the architecture and design industries. The Beijing National Stadium — popularly known as the Bird’s Nest — was by Swiss firm Herzog & de Meuron. The Beijing National Aquatics Centre (‘Water Cube’) was by Sydney-based PTW Architects. In our January 2010 issue, we look at a retail centre (Plaza 353 Shanghai), a luxury resort (Amanfayun, Hangzhou), a fine dining establishment (Capital M Beijing) and a speakeasy/restaurant (Chinatown Shanghai) — all were designed by foreign firms.

Perspective Monthly December 2009

From economic lows to creative highs, the past 12 months have been anything but dull. The full results of our Perspective Awards 2009 are revealed this month and, with the help of our panel of expert judges, we take a look at the topic of urban planning. In a recent lecture at the University of Hong Kong, Rem Koolhaas noted that architecture used to be about articulating and embodying the values of society. Now, it is about expressing the values of an individual, whether a person or a company. And as we look to the future, we are optimistic. If ordinary people can change the course of history and bring down governments, surely we can also affect the way our future cities are built — and how our past is protected.

Perspective Monthly November 2009

This month, Perspective celebrates its 10th anniversary; we focus on the issue of heritage and what it means. Read what the Fringe Club’s Benny Chia, Atria Apartments’ Amil Khan, Benoy’s Simon Blore and Horace Pan, founder of his own company Panorama, vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Interior Design Association and an assistant professor at the Hong Kong PolyU, had to say at Perspective’s Heritage Roundtable. We also feature 10 of the best heritage projects from Asia and around the world, including Singapore’s Clifford Pier and St Petersburg’s Grand Hotel to Wanchai’s Blue House and Beijing’s Hutong Bubble 32.

Perspective Monthly October 2009

If variety is the spice of life, then hotel design – whether we’re talking about architecture or interiors – has to be the tastiest sector of the industry. Yes, bland and beige can still be found but, by and large, hotel operators realise they have to offer something special, and it is these visionaries we celebrate and salute in this month’s edition. Like Diesel’s Wilbert Das, for example. In Uxua Casa Hotel, he speaks from his heart and soul with this rustic, one-of-a-kind bolthole, designed to both relax and inspire. In China’s Shangri La, Baima Dorgi drew on ancient Tibetan craftsmanship and building techniques in converting what was once his own home into the Songtsam Retreat. Meanwhile, quirky style abounds at London’s Rough Luxe and the Lalala Arthotel in Poland – proving that in some cases, it is the destination that is more important than the journey.

Perspective Monthly September 2009

This month, Perspective gets real. We’re asking questions and looking for answers. Top of mind at the moment is the issue of the West Kowloon Cultural District. Who should design it? While three globally-renowned architects are currently in the running for the project, a small but growing number of Hong Kongers aren’t convinced that any of them is the right person for the job. There’s more food for thought from Zuni Icosahedron’s Mathias Woo, who’s put together an exhibition called ‘Architecture is Art’. But in the money-driven market of Hong Kong, can art and commerce truly marry to create architecture which isn’t just about profit, but which also exists to inspire the soul?

Perspective Monthly August 2009

This month, Perspective brings you the so-hip-it-hurts Green T House in Beijing, which has just opened a new Bath House Residence with the cutting-edge design we’ve come to associate from owner Jin R. Chanel on Robertson in LA and Hide and Seek in Singapore offer a look at the latest trends in retail interior design, while Elli Popp and Babekühl allow you a glimpse into their creative minds. Frankfurt’s blistering-hot summer played host to the Tendence Fair, where designers from around the world showed off their best and, finally, the über-cool Sir Peter Cook proves that age is no deterrent to either penetrating insight or masterful design. PLUS: Two special supplements highlight all that’s new and fabulous in the worlds of bathrooms and hospitality, focusing on clever designer touches and bespoke elements.

Perspective Monthly July 2009

This month, Perspective salutes the constantly curious, those determined to challenge the status quo and bold enough to try the unexpected, with our annual 40 Under 40 awards. Our editorial team spent many long hours debating, discussing and whittling down the numbers to reach our final 40, who you will see featured in this month’s issue. At the 40 Under 40 presentation and photocall, it was a thrill to meet these faces of the future. For our winners, it was an opportunity not just to have their efforts recognised, but to meet their peers to exchange ideas and thoughts. The design industry — whichever category you happen to work in — is a tough business. Communication and support is vital, particularly in these challenging days of projects being cancelled and budgets being slashed. Opening up avenues of dialogue was perhaps one of the more exciting results of the 40 Under 40 event, and we are confident that we’ll be hearing much more both of and from our winners.

Perspective Monthly June 2009

The future is, quite simply, now. No longer is a sleek, modern, technology-driven lifestyle a thing to look forward to. In the 21st century, we can live the dream: look no further than the minimalistically beautiful Shell Villa in Japan’s Nagano Prefecture, for example, or the startling white polyhedron of the Prada Transformer, which sees past, present and future collide in the grounds of the ancient Gyeonghui Palace in Seoul. Meanwhile, interiors take a futuristic turn at the Aktipis florist in Greece, while in China, Danish designer Johannes Torpe has wowed Beijing with Subu, a new restaurant which blends fusion cooking and a larger-than-life, cutting-edge design. And Milan’s Salone Internazionale del Mobile this year brought together nearly 3,000 designers and companies celebrating the art of what they do, despite the global economic downturn. Indeed, Fendi’s Craft Punk event put together a team of exciting young talent from all over to world for some on-the-spot creation. It was the epitome of everything that architecture and design are today; the future unfolding before our very eyes.

Perspective Monthly May 2009

In the May issue of Perspective, we salute architects, designers and clients who are brave enough to ‘think out of the box’. We feature a children’s bookshop in Shanghai designed purely with kids in mind. Not their parents, not the proprietors, but the very customers it targets, in the hope of instilling a love for reading and the pure joy it can inspire. At the other end of the scale, the Supperclub in Singapore aims to tap into the big kid inside all of us, while architect Shirish Beri draws upon India’s traditions and culture to serve the needs of the community at large. Finally, restaurants Silapa Thai in Chiang Mai and Made in Kitchen in Xuzhou show designers forging new paths while drawing inspiration from their heritage. A wise man once noted that you don’t need to destroy the past in order to build the future; new projects today prove that you don’t need to forget where you came from, either.

Perspective Monthly April 2009

This month, we honour the vernal season by focusing on fresh and dynamic projects and people whose work is redefining our lifestyles and design values. We introduce readers to Hong Kong’s new Nike store and The Factory and check out luxurious Yin serviced apartments in Central. Cutting edge Korean designers Joon&June tell us about themselves, Tokyo-based artist Katsuhito Yamamoto explains his unique style, and the designers of bluarch take us through their latest interior project, a green nightclub in New York. We also explore the long-awaited Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, which marks a new beginning for the Thai capital as a more artistic vision of the city is coming into sight.

Perspective Monthly March 2009

It's once again time for our annual green issue, where we take a look at what's happening in Hong Kong and around the globe in sustainable architecture and design. Including a report on our Green Round Table where experts hailing from a wide range of backgrounds discuss the issues most significant to eco-friendly design and architecture in 2009. We also feature a range of both local and international thought-provoking projects, one of which is the new CSET in Ningbo and a remarkable green showroom by up-and-coming firm Vector Architects in Beijing. From recycled materials and found objects to eco-conscious practices and principles, the issue is a comprehensive reference for all things green.