In this issue

In late May, Perspective travelled to the Venice Biennale of Architecture. This year’s curators – two female Irish architects, Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara – invited architects from around the world to interpret Freespace, the quality, freedom and future of space. Renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma (featured on this month’s cover), once told Perspective “there’s no freedom in architecture”. This statement now seems more pertinent than ever.

Hong Kong architects have always had a love-hate relationship with space. Often restricted by the city’s limited offerings, they are at the same time often inspired by them. Hong Kong’s Venice Biennale exhibition, Vertical Fabric: Density in Landscape, paints an enthralling portrait of our vertical city and its crowded spaces. Comprising more than 100 model towers, the show makes a powerful statement about the progress of Hong Kong’s architecture. Yet, what impressed me most is the deconstruction of the city’s architectural frailties and the poignancy behind high-rise pride, which is both honest and human. And have we done our best to make the most of what nature and geology have given us? Arguably, Hong Kong is one of the most remarkable blends of natural landscape and urbanisation on the globe.

The much-feted exhibition was organised by The Hong Kong Institute of Architects Biennale Foundation and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, supported by The Hong Kong Institute of Architects and the government’s Create Hong Kong. The Venice team included the curatorial team spearheaded by Professor Wang Weijen of The University of Hong Kong, and exhibitors invited from the city, mainland China and overseas. Though the towers are experimental models, Wang, emotional during the exhibition’s opening ceremony, believes all can be realised.

Perspective Magazine Description:

Perspective is a visually rich, monthly publication focused on contemporary design from architecture and interiors, to graphics and product design. Providing a penetrating look at trends, recent projects, and the latest innovative designs from around the globe, every issue features coverage of cutting-edge concepts and interviews with influential regional and International industry figures. For more than a decade, Perspective has been a vital source of information for architects and design professionals, and continues to maintain its edge by focusing on the new and the breakthrough; by looking at both established, well-known success stories as well as Asia’s young, upcoming talent. Perspective is Hong Kong’s premier English design title and 2012 #1 Interior Design - Hong Kong magazine.