G.O.D: west kowloon walled city installation

'west kowloon walled city installation'


what is the indigenous architecture of hong kong? which are the buildings that best
represent local culture? the answer lies in the legendary kowloon walled city, the same
place that became the creative starting point for hong kong design studio G.O.D's latest
installation.



rundown urinals reminiscent of the poor sanitary condition of the kowloon walled city



'west kowloon walled city installation'


douglas young, creator of the project and founder of G.O.D explains his research on
the history of this area.

'it was only by a quirk of history that it was the only place in the former crown colony
of hong kong that is outside of the police’s judiciary. as a result it became the home of
the untouchables and the social outcasts. it was hong kong’s forbidden city, built not by
royalty but by the city’s underclass. the massive structure was demolished in 1993.

in the west, an architect is responsible for a building’s design, the moment construction
work is completed is when the appearance of the building is fixed. the building will remain
for the rest of its life more or less as that designed by the architect.

in hong kong, the treatment of architecture is somewhat different. once a building is completed
and is occupied by residents, modifications will soon appear. window frames may be changed,
window-mounted air-conditioners will be installed, a multitude of signages and roof projections
will be added, television antennas will sprout from the rooftops. in effect, a native hong kong
building will never be completed because tenants will always be making new adaptations to
make their living environment a little bit more comfortable. thus the building as a living
organism never ceases to evolve.

these indigenous hong kong buildings are harsh environments. there is inadequate space, light
and ventilation. sanitary conditions are poor and the workmanship shoddy. yet people are still
able to survive and thrive. it is the story of hong kong itself encapsulated in architecture, a place
that has succeeded despite the odds.' -DY




'west kowloon walled city installation'


for young's installation, he created a scaled reproduction of this city with
great accuracy in detailing and which physically re-manifests the urban narratives
of the kowloon walled city.



'west kowloon walled city installation'


G.O.D also known as 'goods of desire' is a lifestyle brand company based in hong kong.
founded in 1996 by douglas young and benjamin lau, G.O.D fuses the traditional and
modern, drawing from the past and present of hong kong culture in their designs.



'west kowloon walled city installation' at night




'west kowloon walled city installation' at night




aerial view of housing units from the real west kowloon walled city before they were demolished












'west kowloon walled city' was recently presented by douglas young during
the kuala lumpur design week 2010.