After launched in Lille, European Capital of Culture 2004, the "New Trends of Architecture" has anchored in Hong Kong, the first stop in the Asia-Pacific region.
Presented by Home Affairs Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and organized by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects(HKIA), it was inaugurated magnificently at the HK Central Library on January 5, 2005, with attendance of overseas architects (BKK-3, J.Mayer H., Rene van Zuuk, Sadar Vuja Architects, Kerstin Thompson, Yi Jongho, Nobuaki Furuya, Sey Takeyama), local architects, government officials, European consuls in HK and press people.
At the opening ceremony, Mr. Shane O'Toole, New Trends honorary committee member from Ireland, Mr. Bernard Lim, President of HKIA, and Dr. Patrick Ho, Secretary for the Home Affairs Bureau, made an opening remark respectively. Their speeches were made based on very deep thought on civilization and referred to the role of architecture, as mother of arts, in the contemporary world. Dr. Ho said, "There are international architects, whose works are spread all over the world. (…) But I would hope that architects continue to take account of the cultures of those cities that commission their works, so that what is there already has a bearing on what they seek to impose, which in turn will re-invigorate the ethos of its citizens and influence their future civic development."

» Speech by Shane O'Toole
» Speech by Dr. Patrick Ho

As Mr. O'Toole mentioned, Hong Kong, Asia's world city, is most appropriate for this project which aims to build cultural networks by connecting city to city, individual cities to the world, as it has already practiced in its turbulent history what we aim at.
Hong Kong's creative way of assimilation can be seen in its organizing way of "New Trends" . HKIA combined an exhibition of local architects and universities (University of Hong Kong, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Chu Hai College) "20 21" with the New Trends presentation. Through both exhibitions, visitors can recognize the trends and challenges to be shared by overseas and local young architects.

The format of symposium also took into consideration the connection with the local context in Hong Kong. The symposia were held for two evenings, on 6th and 7th of January; the first symposium was moderated by Prof. Essy Baniassad, Chair of Department of Architecture, Chinese University of Hong Kong on the theme "Challenges from the New Trends" , while the second was moderated by Prof. David Lung, Head of Department of Architecture, University of Hong Kong on "New Directions from the New Challenges" . Each overseas guest architect was requested to give 5 to 8 minute presentation of the theme. HKIA intended to draw the overseas architects' thesis closer to the local context and create a place of encounter by inviting local guests architect to join the discussions.
As the first speaker, Prof. Hiroshi Hara, New Trends Commissioner, made a PowerPoint presentation on his 30 year work for 3 minutes and encouraged younger generations by showing his experimental house project for homeless people in Latin America. To respond to a question, he emphasized the fact that the contact and collaboration with young architects and students has always stimulated his work.
The overseas architects' presentations evoked active discussions and questions from the local architects on the stage and the floor.
One of the most impressive things for me was the audience. Ranging from young students to senior architects, the audience filling the 250 seat theater was really part of the symposium. The discussions between the stage and the floor were very spontaneous, and made us feel the enthusiasm of the HK people seeking their cultural identity and position in the global world.

For the overseas architects, HKIA arranged a visit to the Public Housing Gallery and the Living Units and a guided tour for understanding and experiencing the HK history, urbanism and architecture. The Public Housing Gallery displays the Housing Authority's endeavor in meeting the housing needs of people throughout the past 50 years and the architects were provided with an opportunity to rethink ‘housing' in comparison with their local housing situation.
The tour was organized on the 7th to visit No. 1 Peking Road, designed by Rocco Design Ltd.,the HK representative for New Trends, The Chi Lin Nunnery, Wong Tai Sin Temple and Sam Tung UK (renovation of a historic Hakka walled village). About 30 architectural students from three HK universities joined the tour as guides and hosts, and enjoyed exchanges and communication with the overseas guests.

The opening program in Hong Kong resulted in great success, as well as confirmed the significance in the extension of "New Trends of Architecture" to Asia-Pacific. With the participation of Asian and Pacific cities, the New Trends project is being more stimulating and meaningful.
The baton Hong Kong received from will pass to the next venue Tokyo, where the project was initiated. What experiences and challenges would be generated and added there?