Raymond Chu, MArch/12
Raymond Chu, MArch/12
Raymond Chu’s project extra Extra SMALL! was one of the top 25 projects in 2012, as judged by the Graduate Architecture Award 2012 Short-List sponsered by Detail magazine. Chu’s thesis project looked at new minimal dwelling units in Hong Kong for the very poor.
“The opportunities and support I received from Carleton plays a significant role in my architecture career,” said Chu. “During my graduate studies, the professors supported the development of my thesis, extra Extra SMALL! – Learning from Poverty, Density, Housing, and Hong Kong with enthusiasm and expertise. In addition, Carleton supported me financially, with two scholarships that enabled me to focus on my studies and graduate with high distinction.
“Thanks to the education and people I met at Carleton, I continue to pursue my passion in architecture and use my skills to contribute to easing poverty and developing solutions for better living.”
“Being included on this shortlist is significant given the range of international entries,” said Inderbir Singh Riar, lecturer at Carleton’s Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism and Chu’s thesis advisor. “Ray’s thesis project is remarkable from both an architectural and social standpoint. He did fundamental research in the Hong Kong archives, lived in one of the slum dwellings and produced a fine design project.”
Limited land, high-density population and overpriced housing have caused a major housing crisis in Hong Kong, forcing millions to resort to high-density housing that fails to provides even the bare minimum, with limited space, no ventilation, no sunlight and insect and mold infestations. These units are structurally unsound, with inadequate framing and partitioning drywalls.
XXS is a design that provides a housing solution for better living for Hong Kong’s poor. Through understanding, integrating and modifying the strategies that Hong Kong locals have developed over the years, XXS is a dwelling design that is both functional and practical. It’s functional in terms of providing a space that accommodates the residents’ daily needs and activities and practical in terms of being compatible with Hong Kong’s current housing and societal context.
For more, visit graduatearchitecture.com.