Re:Form - New Life for Old Spaces #2 competition Honorable mention winners - Tsz Hung Hu

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Honorable mention winner of our Re:Form - New Life for Old Spaces #2 competition – Tsz Hung Hu from Hong Kong!

Tsz Hung Hu

Please tell us about your company (when it was founded, where it is based, how many employees, etc) Alternatively, if you do not have a company, please give us some insights on your own professional/academia background.

Tsz Hung, Hu (Tony) is a registered architect in Hong Kong and the United States, with over six years of professional experience and an international design background. He received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Hong Kong and his Master’s degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

Tony’s work is driven by a deep interest in the dynamic relationship between new and old, emphasizing the value of heritage, existing building fabric, and development that evolves in harmony with its context. Viewing architecture as an active agency, he seeks to reconcile past and present through careful study of their junctions, where new architectural possibilities—expressed through innovative forms and spatial dynamics— can meaningfully emerge.

Brief information about the projects that you/your company have been involved with. For instance, what scale have you focused on/preferred, any significant projects where the company/ individuals have been Involved?

Tony has experience across both the conceptual design stage and the later phases of on-site construction, with hands-on engagement spanning from drawings and sketches to real construction materials. He has been involved in several ongoing adaptive reuse projects in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. Through this process, Tony has developed a strong understanding of the intricacies and dynamics of preserving existing buildings while thoughtfully transforming them for new use, balancing technical constraints, craftsmanship, and architectural intent to give heritage structures a renewed life.

What does architecture mean to you and what is the role of an architect in your society?

Architect is an active agent—an essential medium of communication between the built environment and society. Through drawings and design, architecture becomes a platform to translate ideas, coordinate complex matters, and thoughtfully balance the often contrasting voices of diverse stakeholders. Architecture extends far beyond paper and pen; it is profoundly rooted in materiality, history, and lived experience. The physical fabric of a building, the narratives embedded within it, the people who inhabit it, and the cultural context it belongs to are all real and consequential, and must be engaged with seriousness, responsibility, and respect throughout the design process.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

To me, participating in architectural competitions is an important form of communication—an opportunity to articulate one’s architectural ideologies and to narrate one’s stance in the built environment. Equally significant is the act of listening: when confronted with the same brief, the diversity and contrast of architectural responses reveal how varied interpretations, values, and priorities can emerge. This plurality—often marked by debate, controversy, and heterogeneity—is among the most compelling and valuable aspects of architecture, driving critical reflection, innovation, and the continuous evolution of the discipline.

What advice would you give to individuals who struggle to decide whether it would be beneficial for them to participate in architecture competitions?

Architecture is a never-ending body of knowledge—one that rewards seriousness, curiosity, and sustained dedication. For those committed to understanding architecture more deeply, Architectural competitions are the powerful catalyst: a condensed platform to absorb knowledge, explore architectural ideologies, and articulate critical viewpoints within a short and intense timeframe. Architecture is ultimately defined by the level of devotion and obsession one brings to the discipline, and by the time and rigor one is willing to invest. So join if you are really serious about architecture.