Conversations with Alumni 2021-22 – Ida Sze & Billy Chan & Vitus Man: Creativity + Technicality

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:

Ida Sze & Billy Chan – Founding Partners, Ida & Billy Architects Ltd

Ida and Billy graduated with Master of Architecture degrees at CUHK. They began their career in both local private and public sectors, then at Steven Holl Architects in Beijing, and Herzog & de Meuron in Basel. They founded Ida & Billy Architects in 2013.

They believe that nature, art and humanities are fundamental for human beings, and architecture should make people’s lives better. They are interested in resolving problems and creating architectural interest out of simplicity and an integrated whole. They found that this is best done through paying careful attention to the programme, users and sites to explore the meaning and potential of individual projects. The rich source of ideas can then be experimented with and developed to achieve genuine identity for each project.

The studio’s first project, The Bridged House, was awarded a Japan Good Design Award, HKIA  President’s Prize and Global Design Award. Their sustainable washroom series was also recognised by several international awards. In 2018, Ida Sze & Billy Architects were recognised by Wallpaper* Magazine as one of the “20 Emerging Architects from the Globe”.

Vitus Man – Founder & Managing Director, AVT Design Contracting Ltd

Vitus graduated from CUHK with a Master of Architecture degree in 1998. After a couple of years practising in an architectural firm, Vitus changed his career path and worked with an interior fitting-out company, where he was exposed to technical aspects on realising projects by managing sub-contractors and workers for installations. He was involved in various project types such as show flats, residences, banks, retail shops and community centres.

In 2007, Vitus founded his own company with a partner. Starting with minor repair and maintenance projects, he began to focus on retail fitting-out projects. In 2010 and 2013, he established branch offices in Shanghai and Chengdu. After years of converging business directions, his company began to invest in property developments in Malaysia and the Philippines. Vitus loves learning new skills and technologies of the industry while running projects in a hands-on way.

Date and Time: 20 Jan 2022 at 6:00 pm

Zoom: https://cuhk.zoom.us/j/93143545491

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!