Hong Kong Design Centre

As our lives have been changed enormously by the pandemic, it is only normal that we sometimes feel at a loss and find it difficult to see what the future holds. Drawing inspiration from these unprecedented challenges, the upcoming BODW CityProg 2020 is curated under the theme “20/20 Vision of Post-pandemic World”, which will take place throughout November and December during Business of Design Week (BODW).

The optometric term ‘20/20 vision’ denotes normal visual acuity measured at a distance of 20 feet. Metaphorically, it is the perfect vision all of us hope to regain to see pass the TUNA — Turbulent-Uncertain-Novel-Ambiguous — situation we are in. For BODW CityProg, a platform for citywide collaborations among businesses and creative communities, it is clear that the creative problem-solving spirit of design is a key to achieving the agility and resilience needed in the post-pandemic world.

“Anchor Sites”, totalling 16 this year, will continue to be the core of BODW CityProg. Spread across different districts in Hong Kong, the anchor sites instil the city’s unique design spirit into their communities and inspire us to look to the future with 20/20 vision and a dash of creativity. Hong Kong-Taiwan lifestyle shop White Do Lab, part of Wan Chai’s chic neighbourhood, are creating a “Design Your Life” programme with focus on keeping up physical and mental wellbeing in trying times. They hope to stimulate us to make some changes in our daily life consciously, such as how we eat, shop and take rest. Instead of waiting for our old life to return, why not seize the chance to develop better habits and take building the new normal into your hands?

White Do Lab

San Po Kong-based China Bright Production, who are actively conserving a uniquely Hong Kong typography “Lee Hong Kong Kai”, want to put their sometimes forgotten district under the spotlight. Ever since a host of cultural and creative groups moved there in recent years, the old industrial area has been humming with new life. China Bright’s programme aims to facilitate more exchanges and cultivate connections between the old and new communities, and give us an insider’s view of the changing neighbourhood.

“While fighting the global pandemic, we hope people will be more active in joining local cultural events. It can help them forget the pressure for a while and at the same time get to know more about different communities in Hong Kong,” said Lee Kin Ming, owner of China Bright Production.

China Bright Production will highlight its base San Po Kong

While fighting the global pandemic, we hope people will be more active in joining local cultural events. It can help them forget the pressure for a while and at the same time get to know more about different communities in Hong Kong.

The public educational arm of BODW CityProg, Design EduVation, has proven to be a great success last year. This year it will bring even more new experiences to us through co-creation, opening us up to design’s creative 20/20 vision. Social design collective Enable Foundation will showcase the results of “Dementia Hong Kong”, a research of their Social Innovation Design Lab. Roping in social services experts, people with dementia, carers, students, senior citizens and designers, their research opens up discussions and exchanges on dementia, as well as co-developing future innovative support services for it.

“Dementia Hong Kong” Research by Enable Foundation

Another Design EduVation programme is part of the “Communal Design for Affordable Housing” design competition steered by the American Institute of Architects Hong Kong Chapter (AIA Hong Kong). While more and more social housing and transitional housing are being developed in Hong Kong, their qualities come into question. The competition encourages local architects and designers to improve the designs of these kinds of housing so that at-risk families are not only given physical space to live, but also a quality shelter. The results will be showcased in a symposium, exhibition and workshop as part of BODW CityProg.

Vicky Chan, President of The American Institute of Architects Hong Kong Chapter - 2020, thinks the programme can lead the public to reflect on the availability of outdoor public spaces in Hong Kong and how to use them in better ways, “As we adapt to the new normal, we should expand our imagination and definition of how we use public spaces.”

AIA Hong Kong’s competition looks at how the design of social housing can be improved

As we adapt to the new normal, we should expand our imagination and definition of how we use public spaces.

In addition to Anchor Sites Festivals and Design EduVation, BODW CityProg is lining up more than 50 satellite programmes in different corners of the city. Stay tuned and follow BODW CityProg on Facebook and Instagram to find out what’s coming near you.