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It’s one thing to create great, visually appealing structures, but another to build spaces that meet social needs. However, the School of Architecture at the Chinese University of Hong Kong is committed to training students to achieve both.
Born in Hong Kong, the world’s fourth most populous city, Tang Qinglin believes in the need to create an environment that allows society to flourish organically. “Through the Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSSc) in Architectural Studies, I saw an opportunity to explore architecture to actively engage with local communities, solve problems and create spaces that promote connections and interactions among community members,” she said.
Along the way, Tong continues to push the boundaries of his creativity—especially in courses like digital media. Here she learned Grasshopper, a coding language used for computational design of buildings. “At the beginning of the course, it felt like trying to face a powerful enemy without mastering the necessary skills. The tasks assigned to us each week were complex and required us to apply our newfound coding knowledge to create parametric designs and Explore the potential of computational design. It’s a steep learning curve,” she said. “However, despite the initial difficulties, the challenges presented in this course were incredibly rewarding. We worked together as a cohesive team, drawing on each other’s strengths and learning from each other.”
The school’s four-year Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies program (embedded in the School of Social Sciences) is where future architects develop their skills by using their personal imagination to design solutions that integrate cultural and natural environments as well as structural and construction environmental technologies. The course is structured to do more than train students to join the architecture profession; it is designed to educate them for the inevitable future changes in their careers. For Tong, courses that emphasize creating spacious and welcoming learning environments in the field of architecture are particularly attractive. “The importance of designing inclusive and diverse spaces that encourage communication and personal expression cannot be overstated,” she said.
Tong is not the only one attracted to the project’s integration and exploration of the connection between architecture and people. Hong Kong native Chiu Ching Yin’s passion for the subject grew during her studies, focusing on how architecture “shapes and transforms communities, acting as a catalyst for social interaction, connection and belonging”.
The program interweaves a variety of topics, from basic research in cultural courses to discussions during site visits, interviews, and studio sessions. It emphasizes the combination of understanding cultural context and interactive learning experiences. ——What’s better than seeing the world?
At The Chinese University of Hong Kong, there are many opportunities for overseas visits through short courses, electives and exchanges. Through them, students can witness and experience the built environment shaped by the accumulation of cultural influences in different contexts.
After completing the Bachelor of Science program, graduates can enroll in the two-year Master of Architecture (MArch) program at CUHK.
Recognized by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects and the Royal Institute of British Architects, MArch covers advanced areas of research, design thinking and speculative spatial practice. Students work with one of 12 studios on their design work.
Master of Architecture student Lauren Laroche had the opportunity to expand her portfolio through her design studio in Boracay, Philippines. During her studies, she was able to draw on the experience of a teacher through Professor Francesco Rossini, who was implementing a program similar to her framework on the island.
In addition to his studio work, Laroche also assisted in the construction of a temporary bamboo pavilion in Kuk Po, a Hakka village in Hong Kong’s New Territories, through an initiative by CUHK and the Hong Kong government to revive and preserve Hong Kong’s traditional rural lifestyle.
“We actively encourage experimentation and innovation at the technical and material levels,” Laroche said. “I found that the practical elements of the program challenge creativity and skills. They resemble situations students might encounter in the workplace. The theoretical aspects of the course allow students to engage with topical issues surrounding the construction industry and ensure that these ideas can be used in continues to be addressed in architectural design.”
The BSSc and MArch programs are not the only ones that allow students to take part in internships and international travel; the Master of Science in Urban Design (MSUD) also has these.
Urban design is key to creating livable, sustainable, and socially just cities, and MSUD programs prepare designers to meet these challenges. Yèni Yakpo, a student from Germany, said her favorite courses in the first semester were “Urban History and Theory” and “Urban Design Studio 1”. “I found it useful to revisit some common knowledge through a critical lens while working on a very specific project in a studio course,” she says. “It’s a great way to start the program.”
During Yakpo’s studio project, she worked on designing and creating a regenerative community in Tai Po, Hong Kong. Her team conducted numerous site visits and field observations. “All of this is very insightful because we have to have a dialogue with the people we’re designing for,” she said. “It reminded me how important it is to engage all relevant stakeholders, especially those on the receiving end.”
The School of Architecture is the only building in Hong Kong designed specifically for the academic exploration of architecture, with advanced facilities.
The school’s aim to educate the next generation of leading architects can be seen in the work of its community. From students to graduates to faculty, winning prestigious international and local awards is the norm at the School of Architecture.
Here, the vision of educating students to be at the heart of urban and rural innovation, creating solutions to social and environmental challenges and equipped with the technical, digital and design skills to make a real impact is taken seriously.
“The program does not view courses and projects as separate entities but as a holistic and meaningful journey,” Chiu said. “Along the way, the challenge is to relentlessly think broadly. We encourage critical thinking, pushing the boundaries of our ideas and seeking innovative solutions.”
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