Interview by JCI Queensway - "A Dream for a Better Hong Kong"
Foreword
A knowledgeable architect and a recipient of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award in 2016, Tony IP always has a dream for a better Hong Kong: more environmental-friendly, more energy-saving, and most important of all, more livable.
The Path to becoming an Architect
Since he was very young, Tony developed a strong interest in design and drawing. Living in Sham Shui Po in the teenage period, a district crowded with the working class of Hong Kong society, watching cartoon was one of Tony’s hobbies in his leisure time. The funny cartoon characters, according to Tony, were the source of his love for design and drawing.
Wishing to become an architect, Tony took Arts in a secondary school public exam and studied this subject by himself. The experience further strengthened his belief that architecture is an important and grand cause.
Tony’s road to becoming an architect is not one without challenges. He first studied engineering at the university. After that, he continued to obtain a number of degrees of different disciplines. Eventually, Tony realised his dream of reading architecture at the University of Hong Kong and became a registered architect in Hong Kong.
Architecture for Environmental Sustainability
After becoming an architect, Tony has a new dream, that is, make use of architecture to help regenerate the environment. Tony’s new dream originated from his travel experience to the South American. In the summer of 2004, Tony won a student traveling scholarship from the Hong Kong Institute of Architects which funded a 16-day trip to more than 10 cities in the western hemisphere.
Curitiba, a Brazilian city dubbed the most sustainable city of the world, as it then was, impressed Tony with the quality of its citizens, the tidiness of its streets, and its rubbish recycling system. The mayor of the city was an architect who has a clear vision of building a environmental-friendly city. The mayor’s administration won huge public support and contributed to at least three successful re-elections.
Inspired by that travel experience, Tony wonders there shall be a way for the nature and human beings to co-exist and achieve a win-win. He then shared his thoughts with and got further inspired by many people, one of whom was Wong Kam-sing, Secretary for the Environment of the Hong Kong SAR. Finally, Tony realised that it is of utmost importance for Hong Kong, a high-rise and high-density city, to protect its environment.
Vision for an Environmental-friendly Hong Kong
Tony’s vision for a more environmental-friendly Hong Kong comprises three parts. First, a green neighbourhood and green community should be promoted. To this end, behaviour change ought to be encouraged among the Hong Kong people. This is the key to success in promoting environment protection in Hong Kong.
Second, a balance should be struck between the people and the nature so that the two can co-exist. Our daily consumption of energy is affecting the earth. We can all do more in integrating our daily life with the nature.
Third, urban re-development can serve to promote environmental protection. Many buildings in Hong Kong are very old as they were constructed a long time ago. When planning re-development for our community, elements of environmental protection can be given priority to make our community more livable and sustainable.
Promoting Green Architecture
in Hong Kong
Implementing the vision into practice is the final step in promoting green architecture in Hong Kong. Tony is Vice Chair of Hong Kong Architecture Centre, a non-profit organisation that aims at creating interaction between architecture and the general public in Hong Kong. One of the activities of that organisation is tours for people to see architecture with elements of cultural, historical and environmental conservation.
A number of activities by the Hong Kong Green Building Council with Tony's involvement, such as a Student Ambassador Programme, Secondary Students Green Idea Pitch and Green Architecture Design Contest for Primary and Secondary Students, are also held to achieve the vision of building a more environmental-friendly Hong Kong.
Words for the Hong Kong Young People
The young people are the future of Hong Kong. Tony hopes that we all have clear goals and vision in our lives and career. We should then pursue our dreams and overcome the challenges ahead.
Besides, Tony advised that we should make friends with those who share the same values or aspirations with us. Finally, Tony encourages us to contribute to society and preserve the nature for a sustainable and livable environment.
Conclusion
Building a more livable and sustainable community is never an easy task. Big things all have small beginnings. Tony’s sharing and experience in promoting environmental sustainability and green architecture will sow the seeds of preserving the environment in all of us. When we all work towards the same goal, the dream of building a more environmental-friendly Hong Kong will be realised in a foreseeable future.