Conversations with Alumni 2021-22 – Rina Ko & Tat Lam: Dream + Reality

About the Conversations series:

12 Stories of the Past, Present and Dreams of the Future – please join this series of “Conversations”, where our alumni from different architecturally-related fields share their passions and visions not only on their professions but also their personal outlooks on life. Don’t miss these stories and discussions that are at times thoughtful, heart-warming and humorous!

Moderators: Phiyona Auyeung and Chang Hoi Wood

About the Speakers:

Rina Ko – Research Architect, CUHK Jockey Club Institute of Ageing

Rina Ko was a Certified Public Accountant in the United Kingdom since 2006, before she pursued her dream as an Architect. She is now a Registered Architect and has a professional interest in the well-being of the elderlies.

She has joined the CUHK Jockey Club Institute of Ageing as a Research Architect since 2018. Her current research explores how urban and architectural intent could have spiral effects on the physical and cognitive health of the elderlies, from daily encounters to societal implications. Her cross-disciplinary experience enables her to initiate and execute meaningful research projects.

Before joining CUHK, she was a Junior Architect in Herzog & de Meuron (HdM) and worked on two public cultural projects, Tai Kwun and M+ Museum. HdM’s commitment to articulation through contextual materiality for their projects enables Rina to further excel in her design research knowledge on cultural values and user experiences.

During her study at CUHK, she received the “Best Design Award” in 2013 and 2014. She was awarded “Student Medal of the Year 2014” by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) for her best overall academic performance.

Tat Lam – CEO, Shanzhai City Holdings

Tat Lam graduated from CUHK School of Architecture in 2005. He is currently the CEO of SZC Holdings, a social enterprise that researches on social finance and social development strategies, develops technological solutions for the bottom billion market and launches mission-driven ventures to solve the problems on the ground.

Tat Lam is an expert in development, social anthropology and impact finance. Under his leadership, SZC Holdings has served social capitals, foundations and governments in China, Singapore, Myanmar and Brazil. Recently, Tat Lam and his team launched a new venture in Singapore to provide microfinance services targeting the unbanked population in Papua New Guinea, Laos, Myanmar and Hong Kong, supported by capacity building programs and blockchain technologies.

Before founding SZC Holdings, Tat Lam was involved in large scale urban and rural development projects in China, consulting on strategics of public-private engagements and collaborations. He graduated from Columbia University in New York and UCL in London. He has been teaching urban development, innovation and entrepreneurship programs at the Chinese University of Hong Kong for the last 8 years.

Date and Time: 16 Mar 2022 at 6:00 pm

Zoom: https://cuhk.zoom.us/j/94728508668

Click here for details of the series “Conversations with Alumni 2021-22”.

We hope you will join us in commemorating our 30 years of excellence in design teaching and research at CUHK. Meanwhile, please consider supporting our School, our alumni and take a look at our celebration items!