Architects are storytellers whose creations exist as stone and steel structures in the physical world, as props and backdrops in the history of the land and memories of the people. Architecture simultaneously has a relationship with the past and serves as a projection of the future, which makes them vessels of time, or the idea of time. Paul Tse and Evelyn Ting are co-founders of local architecture and design studio New Office Works, and the brains behind the ’Growing Up’ Pavilion in the West Kowloon Cultural District. Ting contemplates, “How does a place tie in the past and present? How do you make reference to stories of one particular neighbourhood or place, but then also relate to functions and technology of today?”

The M+ is another one of their personal favourites, adding a touch of contemporary to the otherwise historic neighbourhood. “I quite like that it has a lot of different senses of scale. It's never just one thing. If you see it from a distance, the overall format looks black. But as you move closer, more details and different aspects of the material emerge. I think the most interesting pieces of architecture do that; it's not just one static thing that you understand from a distance. It's something that should kind of change based on the person's relationship with it, and also, as time goes on,” says Ting.

As society evolves, new needs emerge. “We would like to build a community centre with recreational facilities in the area, one that is more modernised and contemporary,” says Ting. She envisions it to have more linkages between the different offerings, such as between the food hall and the market, the library and the sports facilities. A more modern building would also serve to attract the younger crowd, so different groups will be able to intermingle. Nodding in agreement, Tse adds, “We want to give back to the community and hopefully, be able to engage a broader spectrum of the society.”