Meet Edward Ram, the multitalented yet almost unknown Hong Kong architect behind some of the city's most famous buildings - including a recently rediscovered reservoir
"Commerical considerations"? Simon, you should have been a diplomat! I think you are being immensely polite when referring to the notorious reputation that Hong Kong landlords have for being greedy, most especially commercial property landlords. This is why I have not seen a new building built here in the last 20 years which didn't have a lobby that looked like a subway station. No style, no grace - every square inch of a building must be milked to generate revenue. As for government buildings, it is not the need for revenue, it is simply the sheer lack of design talent in the ranks of government architects. A mere glance at those city parks built after 1990 proves this. That's why they are only referred to as "sitting out areas" rather than the more hopeful term "parks."
Sometimes I wish I had been! Although I think my true calling would have been as a HK government admin officer circa 1980s... It's very true that there's been little innovation in the commercial sector. I think this really hit home with the Cheung Kong Centre - little more than a giant 3D rectangle. At least the Bank of China had some style, whether you liked it or not.
A great article and I agree, it's a shame the architect is not referenced with regard to Bishop Hill, I wonder if that's a simple oversight or a political decision. Nevertheless, the service reservoir is a fabulous discovery and proof enough that we never quite know what intriguing items lie beneath our feet !
Yes a good read, thanks to my old school friend Alex. Perhaps someone in government might read this and add a bio to the historical information on site. And agreed! We're lucky that it was discovered and preserved in time.
"Commerical considerations"? Simon, you should have been a diplomat! I think you are being immensely polite when referring to the notorious reputation that Hong Kong landlords have for being greedy, most especially commercial property landlords. This is why I have not seen a new building built here in the last 20 years which didn't have a lobby that looked like a subway station. No style, no grace - every square inch of a building must be milked to generate revenue. As for government buildings, it is not the need for revenue, it is simply the sheer lack of design talent in the ranks of government architects. A mere glance at those city parks built after 1990 proves this. That's why they are only referred to as "sitting out areas" rather than the more hopeful term "parks."
Sometimes I wish I had been! Although I think my true calling would have been as a HK government admin officer circa 1980s... It's very true that there's been little innovation in the commercial sector. I think this really hit home with the Cheung Kong Centre - little more than a giant 3D rectangle. At least the Bank of China had some style, whether you liked it or not.
A great article and I agree, it's a shame the architect is not referenced with regard to Bishop Hill, I wonder if that's a simple oversight or a political decision. Nevertheless, the service reservoir is a fabulous discovery and proof enough that we never quite know what intriguing items lie beneath our feet !
Yes a good read, thanks to my old school friend Alex. Perhaps someone in government might read this and add a bio to the historical information on site. And agreed! We're lucky that it was discovered and preserved in time.
Wish Hong Kong had more architects like Ram today. The current crop are devoid of any obvious talent or imagination.
Indeed, perhaps there are too many commercial considerations. It's also a shame the government architects at the ASD aren't more innovative.
Good one. Thanks
Thank you!