Whom? : The Home Fragmentation and Memory Reassembly in the Thirteen Villages of Kowloon

Environment and Interior Design, School of Design, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)

Short description

"Whom is where we find home we seek."

This narrative project explores the reconstruction of the Thirteen Villages of Kowloon, highlighting the interconnectedness of their disappearing histories. Over recent decades, Kowloon has experienced drastic changes, with traditional village structures replaced by modern developments, leading to the erosion of cultural continuity and collective memory. This project aims to reassemble these fragmented stories through a narrative-driven architectural deconstruction, creating a renewed spatial experience that reflects the essence of life. The method involves selectively dismantling low-value buildings to activate the site, integrating various transformational structures. Through projection mapping and the reorganization of architectural drawings, the design advocates for open boundaries, fostering a fluid and immersive environment. This approach emphasizes spatial fragmentation and reconfiguration, challenging conventional notions of architectural unity.

At a macro scale, it addresses the homogenization of urban renewal and the decline of humanistic values amid rapid urbanization. By preserving the history and memories of the Thirteen Villages, the work enhances the site's significance and engages both former residents and a wider audience. The outcome is a tapestry of interconnected architectural elements that offer diverse perspectives on Kowloon’s rich past, inviting reflection on the interplay between memory, space, and community. Ultimately, this project serves as a platform for dialogue about the importance of historical narratives in shaping urban identity, ensuring that the voices and stories of Kowloon are not forgotten but celebrated in their architectural reimagining.

As a narrative-based spatial storytelling project focusing on the transformation of squatter settlements in Kowloon’s Thirteen Villages. The project uses deconstruction as a design method to reflect the act of demolition, leaving behind only fragments of walls, floors, and ceilings. It aims to explore how memory and identity survive through space even after physical erasure. The narrative is told through four screens to create an immersive mini-theater, showcasing four scroll drawings (each 2800x400mm) with four main scenes. A main narrative connects all checkpoints, which are shown through interludes across the scrolls, each containing a mini-arc that moves from past to present to future. Every scene includes four checkpoints, each using different deconstruction strategies that echo the flow of the story and highlight key spatial elements.

This project is intended for exhibition and public reflection, especially for those interested in Hong Kong’s disappearing grassroots culture. The outcome invites viewers to engage with loss, resilience, and transformation through spatial fragments and immersive visual storytelling.