Dialogue: Opening Architecture
"Open House" means throwing the doors wide open and welcoming everyone in. But when we open up an architectural space, can everyone truly step inside and experience it with the same ease?
For this edition of Open House Hong Kong, we have invited Beyond Vision International (BVI) to serve as our Accessibility Partner, collaborating with the Blue House and Project House @Chun On Pawn (former Chun On Pawn Shop) to present "Wan Chai Beyond Vision: Blue House × Project House @ Chun On Pawn" — inviting visually impaired participants to experience these two architecturally distinctive and story-rich spaces through senses beyond sight.
In this Dialogue, the teams behind the special tour come together once again to extend the conversation on "open architecture":
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How do we design buildings that welcome everyone?
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How can we support people of different abilities in appreciating architecture?
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Beyond accessible infrastructure, how do we cultivate an open and inclusive community?
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Dr. Rico Chan (Founder and CEO, Beyond Vision International) Dr. Rico Chan is a passionate social designer, innovator, and educator whose work explores the dynamic interactions between people, technology, and the visual environment. He is the Founder and CEO of Beyond Vision International (BVI), a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of people with visual impairments through education, social inclusion, accessibility, and employment opportunities. Rico and his team have developed a number of innovative tools, including the Tactile-Audio Interaction System (TAIS), the Tactile Visual Vocabulary System (TVVS), and the Tactile Colour System (TCS). These systems have been adopted by museums and schools for the blind in Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and San Francisco, impacting the lives of hundreds of thousands of both sighted and non-sighted individuals by demonstrating that “sight is not the only way to “see” and experience the world”. Rico’s contributions to inclusive design have earned him international recognition, and awards. Being a passionate designer, Rico dedicated his time to develop possible options to enforce equal access opportunities for the visually impaired to experience, to learn, and most importantly to co-create a more inclusive environment with the visually impaired communities. He believes that access to Art, Culture and Visual Information is the fundamental right for people, despite differences in age, gender, race or physical impairments. |
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Joey W. Senigaglia (St. James' Settlement Viva Blue House Good Neighbour) Joey works in antique art and is an independent cat rescue volunteer. In 2020, she moved into the Blue House with her husband from Venice, Italy, and their four cats through the St. James' Settlement’s Viva Blue House Good Neighbour Scheme. As a Blue House Good Neighbour and tour guide, Joey actively integrates her professional skills and life experiences into the community, bringing together Blue House residents, Wan Chai kaifongs, and local shops through engaging neighbourhood activities and cultural preservation. |
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Karen Yeung (Architect, One Bite Design Studio) Karen Yeung, a registered architect, received her master’s degree from the CUHK School of Architecture. She built her career working on established hostel and residential projects. At One Bite Design Studio, she contributes her expertise to a range of open-space, playscape, and public installation projects. Karen is particularly interested in advancing inclusivity in Hong Kong’s spatial design. She believes that inclusive design goes beyond wheelchair accessibility, taking a holistic approach that embraces people of all abilities, including those with visual and hearing impairments. In her work, she continues to push the boundaries of inclusive space, bringing together function and aesthetics. |
Venue Partner
