Dezeen Magazine

A visualisation of a restaurant that doubles as a homeless shelter, in tones of brown, grey, blue and green, with people sat eating at a table.

Twelve design projects by students at Hong Kong Design Institute

Dezeen School Shows:  a restaurant that doubles as a shelter for the homeless and is built using discarded bamboo is included in Dezeen's latest school show by students at Hong Kong Design Institute.

Also included is a pavilion for bird watching designed using AI and a fashion collection inspired by Buddhism.


Hong Kong Design Institute

Institution: Hong Kong Design Institute
Courses: Higher Diploma in Fashion Design, Higher Diploma in Fashion Media Design, Higher Diploma in Fashion Image Design, Higher Diploma in Visual Arts and Culture, Higher Diploma in Illustration, Higher Diploma in Visual Communication, Higher Diploma in Architectural Design, Higher Diploma in Design for Event, exhibition and Performance, Higher Diploma in Interior Design, Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects, Higher Diploma in Arts Technology and Higher Diploma in Film, Television and Photography
Tutors: Kentaro Nagano, Sing Cheong, Carmen Kwan, Shum Yin Ting, Lee Chi Kin, Kubota Masaharu, Douglas Ning, Andy Ho, Chow Kar Hoo, Cary Tang, Terence Luk, Alan Lau, Stephen Parke, Kyle Wu, Joanne Lau, Billy Chan, Ken Wong and Kaman Tsang

School statement:

"Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), as one of the member institutions under the VTC Group, is one of the most influential design institutions in Hong Kong.

"It provides high-quality education to cultivate knowledge and professionalism, nurturing design talents to support Hong Kong's creative industry development.

"With years of experience in design education, HKDI brings together the strengths of its design departments – architecture, interior and product design, communication design, digital media and fashion and image design – to provide over 20 full-time design programmes, preparing students for work-readiness with socially conscious solutions to meet the demand of the 21st century workplace."


A series of visualisations of a birdwatching centre, in tones of white, blue, beige and brown.

Pure Drape by Ching Yau Ngai

"Nam Kok Tsui is an excellent place for birdwatching in Hong Kong.

"This project used AI technology to assist in concept design the birdwatching haven, enabling architects to create a safe birdwatching space while exploring the coexistence between architecture and the environment.

"A white cloth rests upon the rugged rocks; these white cloths turn into roads, taking you to places you wouldn't otherwise go with your feet alone.

"Pavilion and nature coexist in perfect harmony, located along the peaceful coastline."

Student: Ching Yau Ngai
Course: HD in Architectural Design
Tutor: Kentaro Nagano
Email: alexching.archi[at]gmail.com


A series of three visualisations of a fair, in multiple colours of red, blue, yellow and white.

P.H.C. by Pui Fei Ho

"I hope that through this event, more people will understand the plight of stray animals and help them, whilst raising funds for the Saa charity organisation and attracting potential adopters and donors.

"I also hope that this event can help pet owners and their pets in Hong Kong create an enjoyable and unique pet carnival, providing them with a place to play with their pets.

"In addition, I also want to promote a new way of raising pets through this event, providing electronic pet-raising applications for more people who want to raise animals but do not have the necessary conditions."

Students: Pui Fei Ho
Course: HD in design for event, exhibition and performance
Tutor: Sing Cheong
Email: joh919254[at]gmail.com


Friendship by Chan Tsz Ching Tania, Lai Cho Yiu, So Yuen To, Leung Yan Ki, Tong Lok Yi, Ng Kei Yiu, Chan Ho Yan, Chan Chi Sum and Isabel Lam Hiu Tung

"Friendship is an animation about a tea restaurant owner's daughter, Haru, who befriends a stray dog, CoCo."

Students: Chan Tsz Ching Tania, Lai Cho Yiu, So Yuen To, Leung Yan Ki, Tong Lok Yi, Ng Kei Yiu, Chan Ho Yan, Chan Chi Sum and Isabel Lam Hiu Tung
Course: HD in Animation and Visual Effects
Tutors: Shum Yin Ting
Emails: taniachantc723[at]gmail.com, percyso0721[at]gmail.com, 2002yoyolai[at]gmail.com, leungzoey11[at]gmail.com, isa.lnlwww[at]gmail.com, kyiu0604[at]gmail.com, fen1463731824[at]gmail.com, isabelchan30[at]gmail.com and katielam1122[at]gmail.com


A visualisation of a green creature sat next to a child, with warm hues of brown over the image.

Monsters. Escape by Ho Tsz Yiu

"Lang Yuet was curious and secretly took one of the copper coins from his monster friend Ahmu's collection, intending to take it secretly to an antique shop to inquire about its value.

"After an exciting chase with Ahmu, he finally arrived at the antique shop.

"However, it turned out to be a worthless copper coin after being checked by the antique shop owner.

"Lang Yuet felt guilty because the whole incident was caused by his action.

"In the end, the protagonist bought potato chips, and they made up with each other with the help of potato chips."

Student: Ho Tsz Yiu
Course: HD in Arts Technology
Tutors: Lee Chi Kin and Kubota Masaharu
Email: wallis.shelter[at]gmail.com


A series of three images. The first shows a person embraced by a person with blue skin, against a red background, the second a person holding up a silver lantern against a red backdrop, and the third a person holding a small red object to their face.

Dark Fairytale by Chan Ho Kuen

"Grimm's fairy tales bring people happiness, nurture their desire for knowledge and enhance their understanding of justice and evil, kindness and cruelty, honesty and hypocrisy, hard work and laziness.​

"In fact, fairy tales in history have been dark from the beginning; they are rooted in the oral tradition of the people.

"In their early days, they contained elements that were not suitable for children such as blood, murder, violence and sex.

"Under the double influence of the brothers grimm and Disney, fairy tales began to lose their dark undertones.​"

Student: Chan Ho Kuen
Course: HD in Film, Television and Photography
Tutor: Douglas Ning
Email: [email protected]


A series of three photographs; the first shows a person holding a television displaying a pink handbag against an orange backdrop and green floor, the second shows a person wearing a pink outfit, holding a black handbag on a beach, and the third shows a person reading, sat in a deckchair on a beach, with a green handbag hanging off the back of it.

Revive – Reclaim – Rejuvenate by Chan Yau Chuen, Gurung Josani, Lam Cheuk Fung Keith, Lam Hoi Pang, Shum Suet Kiu and Wen Yawen

"Physical and mental wellbeing has been gradually eroded by the modern world.

"As opposed to the past, women are taking good care of their bodies, minds and society.

"The trend of stay-at-home girls is increasing in modern times due to exhaustion from work.

"Losing the pursuit of relaxing, resting and taking care of the body and mind."

Students: Chan Yau Chuen, Gurung Josani, Lam Cheuk Fung Keith, Lam Hoi Pang, Shum Suet Kiu and Wen Yawen
Course: HD in Fashion Image Design
Tutors: Stephen Parke and Kyle Wu
Emails: jennychan0227[at]gmail.com, josanigurung[at]gmail.com, funggor115[at]gmail.com, lamhoipang010206[at]gmail.com, sukishum03[at]gmail.com and tobeyonewen[at]gmail.com


A photograph of a person modelling clothes in tones of grey and black, against a background that depicts stoneware falling, in tones of blue and brown.

Nothing Lasts Forever by Yung Tsz Tsun

"Amidst the ebb and flow of life, we realise the melancholic reality: 'nothing lasts forever'.

"It reminds us of the fleeting nature of relationships and memories, yet, within the sorrow of impermanence, it teaches us to cherish every moment, as in temporariness lies the beauty of life's ever-changing tapestry."

Student: Yung Tsz Tsun
Course: HD in Fashion Design
Tutor: Joanne Lau
Email: trevyung603[at]gmail.com


A series of three images, one displaying two cards in tones of pink and yellow, another displaying three phones and the last showing three screens.

Originated by Chu Man Yi

"Sex education remains a topic surrounded by stigmas and taboos in Hong Kong society.

"As a result, teenagers often receive incomplete or inaccurate information from unreliable sources, which can lead to misconceptions, risky behaviours and negative consequences."

Student: Chu Man Yi
Course: HD in Visual Communication
Tutor: Billy Chan
Email: jessicachu0623[at]gmail.com


A photograph of a collection of cards in tones of blue, against a beige background, alongside two images in tones of purple, green and red.

The Light by Au Wai Lok

"Hong Kong's hectic lifestyle, intense schedules and rising student suicides have created deep concern.

"Neglectful parenting exacerbates challenges for youth.

"This has inspired a narrative game to promote mutual support and meaningful family connections, offering a thoughtful perspective on nurturing relationships."

Student: Au Wai Lok
Course: HD in Illustration
Tutor: Ken Wong
Email: cgh16018[at]gmail.com


A series of three photographs; the first displays a sculptural piece in tones of brown, with silver metal beams on it and floral details. The second displays the same sculptures, side by side, and the third shows a close up photograph of the floral details.

Eternal by Tang Wai Shan

"As a student deeply passionate about the refined craftsmanship and the legacy of traditional intangible cultural heritage, I am committed to preserving and revitalising our cultural heritage.

"By weaving together diverse elements of intangible cultural heritage and infusing Eastern aesthetics into contemporary art forms, I aspire to not only safeguard our cultural legacy but also to share it more broadly."

Student: Tang Wai Shan
Course: HD in Visual Arts and Culture
Tutor: Kaman Tsang
Email: sansan1182347494[at]gmail.com


A series of three photographs of a person wearing multiple circular shaped garments in tones of grey and black, against a backdrop of the same colours.

Void by Hung Cho Hei and Ng Tsz Yan

"The void is a state that transcends the boundaries of matter and our conceptual limitations.

"It is seen as infinite and boundless, representing the infinity and interconnectedness of the universe.

"Everything in the universe shares the same origin, highlighting the unity of the cosmos.

"This principle implies that every substance in the universe shares the same essence, demonstrating the principle of 'one is all, all is one.'

"Moreover, the concept of emptiness is also recorded in the Tao Te Ching and Buddhism, so we will pay attention to these parts when collecting data."

Students: Hung Cho Hei and Ng Tsz Yan
Course: HD in Fashion Image Design
Tutors: Andy Ho, Chow Kar Hoo, Cary Tang, Terence Luk and Alan Lau
Emails: joehung20021223[at]gmail.com and ngtszyan987[at]gmail.com


A montage of visualisations of a restaurant that doubles as a homeless shelter, in tones of brown, grey, blue and green. In one of the images, people are seen sat eating at a table.

Urban Oasis-Restaurant and Homeless Domitory by Chan Chi Ho

"Hong Kong's dazzling skyline masks a stark wealth gap; while the affluent reside in luxurious high-rises, many struggle to make ends meet, forced into substandard living conditions.

"This disparity is further exacerbated by the growing number of homeless individuals, known as street sleepers.

"Despite the city's economic prosperity, the high cost of living, low wages and a lack of affordable housing leave many unable to afford basic necessities.

"This urban oasis, a restaurant that doubles as a sanctuary for the homeless, offers both employment and housing.

"In Hong Kong, discarded engineering bamboo finds new life after recycling, much like the homeless who, despite societal neglect, can find renewed hope with a helping hand."

Student: Chan Chi Ho
Course: HD in Interior Design
Tutors: Carmen Kwan
Email: xavierchan9538[at]gmail.com

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and Hong Kong Design Institute. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.