FMC Youth Centre @ TM, HK

Transformation of Corridors for Youth Art Space for Free Methodist Church @ Tuen Mun

This project at Free Methodist Church Tuen Mun covers spaces of three levels, the existing design environment is relatively traditional: the present site is the government building, the layout structure is constructed from simple beam supports, with rooms linked together by a long ventilating corridor. To minimize escape route and circulation distance, stairs and elevators are located at both ends of the same floor.

As the elevator was included in the stair core, the stairs would be the feature that welcomes visitors as they exit the lift. What approaches them next as they move along is the connecting corridor linking the rooms. As a result, little privacy remains for the separate rooms, the linkage between each is also poor. Rainy days also pose problems of slippery floor.

In response to the problem of space on the existing design, spatial separation was converted from material separation to ones that are invisible, for example, by opening up the external walls of the rooms and converting into glass panels; the use of colours extends all the way from the lift lobby into the rooms, thereby enlarging the sense of space visually. Leveraging on the Centre’s “A.R.T.” theme, the 3 separate levels were respectively designed in homage to 3 great artists - Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet and Piet Mondrian, thereby bringing a breakthrough to the traditional government spaces of repressed colours.

Barrie Ho, the Founder and Director of the Hong Kong based architects firm Barrie Ho Architecture Interiors Ltd (BHA), is one of the most influential architectural designers of his generation practicing today. Frequently described as �young at age, high in seniority�.

Ho received his design education at the University of Hong Kong where he graduated with a Master�s Degree in Architecture with distinction and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Architectural Studies (1st Honor). He has also obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interior Design with commendation as well as a Diploma in Design.

From 2003 to this day, Ho has proudly won over 30 design awards at the Asia Pacific Interior Design Awards, Hong Kong Designers� Association Awards and Perspective Design Recognition Awards. He was also awarded Outstanding Greater China Design Awards for 3 consecutive years between 2006 and 2008. Personal accolades include Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award 2005, Ten Outstanding Designer Award 2005, Vocational Training Council Honorary Fellow, one of the recipients of the Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award 2007, and was among the inaugural 40 Under 40 selection by Perspective Magazine that recognises young design talents in the Greater China region. Ho�s furniture designs have also won numerous acclaims: MING Collection furniture was awarded the international 2007 ADEX Award for Design Excellence; while ZEN Collection was awarded Hong Kong Designers Association Awards 07 - Gold Award (Category of Furniture), Fortune China Magazine�s 2007 China�s Most Successful Designs Award, and 4 awards at 2008 ADEX Award for Design Excellence.

From 2000 to 2005, Ho was the Chairman of the Hong Kong Interior Design Association. In 2002, Ho was the Director of the Hong Kong Design Centre and as the Vice Chairman at HKDC Board of Directors in 2004. Ho was also the Advisor of the Professional Services Promotion Committee of Hong Kong Trade Development Council from 2003-2006, Advisor of Academic Advisory Committee of HK Polytechnic University since 2003 as well as the member of the Hong Kong Design Institute Advisory Board of IVE, VTC since 2004, and Guest Curator of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum 2004-2005, when he performed his curatorial duties for �Spaces and Places� � an exhibition showcasing works from 4 architects-cum-artists � from July to December 2005. Ho is also a visiting lecturer at various universities and institutes in Hong Kong and is frequently invited to be Guest Speaker of International Design Conferences and Seminars. From 2005 to 2007, Ho is the Chairman of the Organising Committee of the International Architectural Design Competition for the Hong Kong Design Institute. Currently, Ho is a member of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons Association, as well as a founding member of the Professional and Senior Executives Association.