Yik Cheong Building has been selected as the focal point due to an early fascination with the Kowloon Walled City and how that has become ingrained in Hong Kong’s history. A remarkable high-rise community that was beyond over-population reaching a density of 1,920,000 people per square kilometre. The community was recognised for its dense, poor living conditions and serious crime. Faced with the inevitable demolition in 1993 all that remains in its place is a luscious green park, remnants of the south gate and a scale model of what was once there.

A later example, Yik Cheong Building and its neighbours have become one of the most famous buildings in Quarry Bay. Density is still a prevalent issue even though it barely draws any parallels with the Kowloon Walled City, its similarities in form and facade treatment are still evident. Some of which has been further translated into smaller residential buildings forming streets lined with markets stalls and ‘floating’ signage; like Ladies Market, Mong Kok.

The concept will focus on the distinctive facade seen in the Yik Cheong Building complex and the void in between.