The Wishing Forest at Lam Tsuen, Tai Po, designed by LWK & Partners (LWK) ran from 18 Jan to 23 Feb and was one of the two major exhibitions in “Heritage x Arts x Design (H.A.D.) Walk Project x Tai Po & Fanling” sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
The aim was to present the traditional folk culture inherited at Lam Tsuen, Tai Po, through perspectives of Heritage, Arts and Design. The inner exhibition space of the 929m² Wishing Forest was arranged in sequential zones of 3, reminding visitors of the traditional spatial and family hierarchy of the traditional Chinese house with 3 halls and 2 courtyards.
As the traditional Chinese courtyard turns itself into a contemporary designer pavilion, the traditions and spirit of the old villages were brought to a modern life.
LWK Director of Heritage Conservation, Eric CM Lee, said: “As architects, we should not only focus on spatial planning and design. Respect of tradition and cultural heritage are also what we need to address. And architecture should be leveraged as the bond connecting the past and present. With this notion in mind, we decided to name this pavilion as “the Wishing Forest”, which resembles numerous growing trees embracing each other. We hope it could represent the spirit of unity of traditional Lam Tsuen that continues far and beyond. ”