The Oval Partnership, Hong Kong: Collegiate, Cosmopolitan, Connected.

The Oval Partnership was founded in 1992. Its mission is to conceive and execute leading sustainable urban and rural projects globally. The firm has an extensive track record of delivering projects which embrace the principles of sustainability and enhance living standards. 

The practice believes that understanding and accepting the complexities and contradictions in human nature is essential to the development of an effective approach to urbanism, architecture and design and this approach is fully embedded in its practice culture. 

Its office in Hong Kong is located in Wanchai, which was made famous by the 1960 film ‘The World of Suzie Wong.’ A microcosm of the city, where old meets new and East meets West, the district is constantly reinventing itself. The flexible office space is designed to promote collective creativity and to respond to change. With a focus on knowledge sharing, the office is arranged in such a way as to promote interaction so there are no formal reception areas or enclosed meeting rooms. 

In 2013 the firm established an action research initiative in Hong Kong called ‘VeryHK,’ to inform its approach to improving urbanism in cities. ‘VeryHK’ supports the community in reimagining ways to use forgotten spaces throughout the city, to build and reinforce the connections among and between the citizens and the city. It spurs the creative economy, building social capital and encouraging social innovation illustrating the possibilities of upward mobility. 

The practice also launched ‘The Urban Diary’ which follows the lives of various people within the local community in Hong Kong who are contributing to sustainable living in the city, whether it be through the continuous development of forgotten ancient crafts to urban agriculture, recycling or up-cycling. Through meeting and talking to these people the office gains an insight into what interests and drives them to want to improve city life. 

The diverse nature of the firm’s projects in over 30 cities and regions means that there are ample opportunities to explore cutting edge urban and regional practices at The Oval Partnership.