Prof. ROSSINI, Francesco

Assistant Professor

PhD (BarcelonaTech UPC)
MPhil (BarcelonaTech UPC)
MArch (U Naples Federico II)

Rm. 302, Lee Shau Kee Architecture Building, CUHK

Introduction

Francesco Rossini is an architect, urban designer and Assistant Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). He graduated with honors from University of Naples. In 2014 he completed his PhD (cum laude) at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC – Barcelona).

In his doctoral thesis, Dr. Rossini explored the role of public spaces in private developments in Hong Kong. During his studies at UPC he was awarded a grant by the Ministry of Education of the Government of Spain. In 2007 he obtained a grant issued by the Politecnico di Milano to study the urban peripheries of the city.

Francesco Rossini has participated in different research programmes, collaborating with the Department of Urban Planning at the University of Naples and the Department of Urbanism at UPC in Barcelona. In China he has collaborated with Tongji University in Shanghai at College of Architecture and Urban Design (CAUP), as a teaching and research assistant in the undergratuate course of Architecture and Urban Planning.

In addition to his research and teaching activities, he worked for the last 10 years as a registered Architect in Italy, as well as in Spain and China, realizing projects related to architecture and urban design.

In 2006 he received a special mention by the Union International of Architects (UIA) in the international competition “Celebration of Cities 2” for a regeneration project in Naples, which has been exhibited at the 10th Venice Biennale of Architecture. He is currently project director in Asia for the international practice 5+1AA. Since 2013, he collaborates with CUHK participating in different teaching programmes and research projects. This year he became coordinator of the MSc in Urban Design Programme.

Research Interests

Public Space in High-density Cities
Placemaking Interventions and Bottom-up Processes
Urban informality and Upgrading Strategies

Publications

BOOKS

Rossini, F. (2018). What’s the potential of 1m3: A temporary placemaking project in Hong Kong. Hong Kong: The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Rossini, F., Martí, M., & Tieben, H. (2017). Learning from Barcelona: Reflections and Cultural Exchange between Europe and Asia on the Urban Project. (F. Rossini, M. Martí, & H. Tieben, Eds.) Hong Kong: Edizioni Graffiti.

Tieben, H., Geng, Y., & Rossini, F. (Eds.) (2017). The Entrepreneurial City 10th Conference of the International Forum on Urbanism. Hong Kong: International Forum on Urbanism (IFOU).

Rossini, F. (2014) Nuevos espacios colectivos de la ciudad vertical contemporánea: El caso de Hong Kong. Ph.D diss., Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/2117/95321

BOOK CHAPTERS

Rossini, F. (Forthcoming 2019). What’s the potential of 1m3? In The City at Eye Level for Kids. The Netherlands: Blauwdruk

Rossini, F. (2018). Housing Needs and Urban Regeneration: A Challenging Task for the Future of Hong Kong. In C. Graham and K. Day (Eds.) Global Dimensions in Housing: Approaches in Design and Theory from Europe to the Pacific Rim. (pp. 87-102). Oxford: Libri Publishing Ltd.

Hwang,C.C.P. & Rossini, F. (2018). Dwelling in an influx City – Placemaking through Collective Housing. In C. Graham and K. Day (Eds.) Global Dimensions in Housing: Approaches in Design and Theory from Europe to the Pacific Rim. (pp. 131-142). Oxford: Libri Publishing Ltd.

Rossini, F., & Martí, M. (2017). Experiencing the Waterfront and 22@: A New Model of Compact City. In F. Rossini, M. Martí, & H. Tieben, Learning from Barcelona: Reflections and Cultural Exchange between Europe and Asia on the Urban Project. (pp. 88 – 96). Hong Kong.

Martí, M., & Rossini, F. (2017). The Workshop: Aims, Contents and Expectations. In F. Rossini, M. Martí, & H. Tieben, Learning from Barcelona: Reflections and Cultural Exchange between Europe and Asia on the Urban Project. (pp. 30 – 37). Hong Kong: Edizioni Graffiti.

Rossini, F. (2013). Los espacios híbridos en Hong Kong. QRU Cuadernos de investigación en urbanismo n.1 Espacio público, experiencias, proyectos y gestión. (pp. 78-87). Barcelona: DUOT.

PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES

Rossini, F., & Yiu H.M. (under revision process). Public Open Space in Private Development in Hong Kong: new spaces for social activities? Journal of Urbanism: International Research on Placemaking and Urban Sustainability.

Rossini, F. (2018). Temporary urban intervention in the Vertical City: A placemaking project to re-activate the public spaces in Hong Kong. Journal of Urban Design, 24(2), 305-323. doi:10.1080/13574809.2018.1507674

Rossini, F. (2018). Seeds of Architectures and Public Spaces: Placemaking Interventions in Asian Cities. EDA Esempi di Architettura, 5(2), 143-152.

Rossini, F., Roca, E. & Harris, S. (2018). The Notion of Ground: A Definition of Urban Permeability in Hong Kong and Barcelona. ACE Journal: Architecture, City and Environment. 13(38), 211-234. doi: 10.5821/ace.13.38.5432

PEER-REVIEWED CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

Cutini, V., Di Pinto, V., Rinaldi, A.M., & Rossini, F. (2019). Informal Settlements Spatial Analysis using Space Syntax and Geographic Information Systems. The 19th International Conference on Computational Science and Applications (ICCSA 2019). Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Rossini, F. (2018). Architectural Interventions in the Informal City: On-site Upgrading Strategies for BaSECo Community. PLEA 2018 – Smart and Healthy Within the 2 Degree Limit, Proceedings of the 34th International Conference on Passive and Low Energy Architecture (pp. 861-866). Dec 10-12, 2018
Hong Kong, China

Rossini, F., Rinaldi, A., & Di Pinto, V. (2017). Public spaces and critical density: A preliminary study proposal for Baseco informal settlement in Manila. ISUF 2017 XXIV International Conference: City and Territory in the Globalization Age. Valencia: ISUF.

Cutini, V., Di Pinto, V., & Rossini, F. (2017). At the border of the city. A preliminary study to an evidence-based approach to informal settlements. 10th Study Day of INU: Crisis and Rebirth of Cities (pp. 31-36). Napoli: INU Edizioni.

Rossini, F. (2016). The Urban Regeneration of Star Street in Hong Kong. In K. Day (Ed.), Future Housing: Global Cities and Regional Problems (pp. 27-38). Melbourne: AMPS.

Rossini, F., & Martí, M. (2016). Compact City and Hyper Dense Metropolis. A Comparative Study of Hong Kong and Barcelona. ISUF 2016 XXIII International Conference: Urban Morphology and the Resilient City. Nanjing: ISUF.

Rossini, F. (2015). Nuevos Espacios Colectivos de la Ciudad Vertical Contemporánea. El Caso de Hong Kong. VII SEMINARIO INTERNACIONAL DE INVESTIGACION EN URBANISMO. Barcelona: UPC

Rossini, F. (2013). Hybrid spaces of Hong Kong. Planum, The Journal of Urbanism, n.27 vol2/2013. Atti della XVI Conferenza Nazionale SIU. Napoli 9-10 Maggio 2013

Research Projects

Early Career Scheme – University Grants Committee (2017)
Short-term Actions and Long-Term Interventions: A Public Space District Plan for Central and Sheung Wan.
Project code: 2191141 Amount Awarded: 648.500 HK$

Direct Grant Faculty of Social Science (2016)
Vertical density and informal city: the role of public space in the urban regeneration of Manila’s districts.
Project code: 4052114 Amount Awarded: 40.000 HK$

Direct Grant Faculty of Social Science (2015)
SOS – Seating fOr Socializing, A temporary urban device to revitalize Hong Kong Public Spaces.
Project code: 4052076 Amount Awarded: 40.000 HK$

Advised Theses

PANG Kin Thai, Derek, “Expanding the Public Realm: An Infrastructure Project in Wan Chai,” 2016-17

HO Suet Ling, Jennifer, “City in Waiting: Prospective Public Space Design through Temporary Architecture,” 2016-17

CHAN Kwong Chun, John, “Re-activate the Abandoned: An Urban Cultural Park in Cha Kwo Ling,” 2016-17

WU Sze Man, Samantha, “A New Community and Cultural Centre in Tsuen Wan Old District,” 2015-16

YEUNG Yang, Judy, “Urban Catalysts: Develop a ‘Live long’ Resilient Community (Market Regeneration in Shek Kip Mei),” 2015-16

CHENG Man Hon, Matthew, “Classic Car Museum: Re-defining the Identity of To Kwa Wan,” 2015-16

YAU Chun Ting, Nick, “Walking in Sai Ying Pun,” 2015-16 (Urban Studies Capstone Project)

NG Si Ieong, “Barra e Manduco: A Reconnected Waterfront Where Work and Leisure Co-exist,” 2015-16 (Urban Studies Capstone Project)

Honours and Recognitions

(2013) First Prize
Management School and facilities
Jading District – Shanghai (RPC)

(2008) Special Mention
Redevelopment of Plaza de la Costitución
Municipality of El Carpio – Cordoba (ES)

(2008) Special Mention
A new proeject of Plaza de la Costitución
Municipality of Bailèn – Jaen (ES)

(2007) Third Prize
A linear park and new public spaces
Municipality of Montcada i Reixac – Barcelona (ES)

(2007) Third Prize
Redevelopment of Casal Velino Marina Waterfront
Municipality of Salerno (IT)

(2006) Second Prize
Project of S.Domenico’s square
Municipality of Casarano – Lecce (IT)

(2006) Special Mention
Celebration of cityes 2” UIA Berlin – IX Biennale of Venice
“Metropedonale” Urban regeneration proposal of pedestrian routes in Napoli

(2005) First Prize
Primiceri’s square
Municipality of Matino – Lecce (IT)

(2005) First Prize (Built)
Orologio and Terra square
Municipality of Alliste – Lecce (IT)

(2004) Second Prize
Project of Istria square
Municipality of Firenze (IT)

(2004) Second Prize
Project of the new Architectural college of Firenze.
Municipality of Firenze (IT)

(2003) First Prize
First national awards for young architects and engineers
New Public park and square – Pomigliano D’arco
Municipality of Napoli (IT)

(2001) Second Prize
Internacional Architectural awards for Student
Lecco City – A proyect of the Steel Museum
University of Milan