Trust building

Architects building new projects in Hong Kong and Macao agree that the safety of users is paramount when it comes to designing shared spaces. Rebecca Lo reports.

After 18 months of Zoom meetings and ad hoc closure of venues, Hong Kong is finally emerging on the other side of the pandemic. And yet the readiness to step out with total confidence eludes many. The fear of standing next to an asymptomatic carrier of the COVID-19 virus in a crowd haunts some residents, particularly those living with compromised immune systems, elderly loved ones or other vulnerable people.

Architects such as Jacky Cheng believe they have a responsibility to address public concerns regarding this newer normal by creating spaces people feel safe in. Cheng is vice-president and director of project development for Asia-Pacific at Los Angeles-headquartered The Jerde Partnership.