The Red Box

Barrie Ho (Hong Kong, China)

Barrie Ho, the Founder and Director of the Hong Kong based architects firm Barrie Ho Architecture Interiors Ltd (BHA), is one of the most influential architectural designers of his generation practicing today. Frequently described as "young at age, high in seniority".

Ho received his design education at the University of Hong Kong where he graduated with a Master's Degree in Architecture with distinction and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Architectural Studies (1st Honor). He has also obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interior Design with commendation as well as a Diploma in Design.

From 2003 to this day, Ho has proudly won numerous design awards at the Asia Pacific Interior Design Awards, Hong Kong Designers' Association Awards and Perspective Design Recognition Awards. He was later awarded Outstanding Greater China Design Awards consecutively in 2006 and 2007. Personal accolades include Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award 2005, Ten Outstanding Designer Award 2005, one of the recipients of the Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award 2007, and was among the inaugural 40 Under 40 selection by Perspective Magazinethat recognises young design talents in the Greater China region. Ho's furniture designs have also won numerous acclaims: MING Collection furniture was awarded the international 2007 ADEX Award for Design Excellence;while ZEN Collection was awarded Hong Kong Designers Association Awards 07 - Gold Award (Category of Furniture), Fortune China Magazine's 2007 China's Most Successful Designs Award, and 4 awards at 2008 ADEX Award for Design Excellence.

From 2000 to 2005, Ho was the Chairman of the Hong Kong Interior Design Association. In 2002, Ho was the Director of the Hong Kong Design Centre and as the Vice Chairman at HKDC Board of Directors in 2004. Ho was also the Advisor of the Professional Services Promotion Committee of Hong Kong Trade Development Council from 2003-2006, Advisor of Academic Advisory Committee of HK Polytechnic University since 2003 as well as the member of the Hong Kong Design Institute Advisory Board of IVE, VTC since 2004, and Guest Curator of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum 2004-2005, when he performed his curatorial duties for "Spaces and Places" – an exhibition showcasing works from 4 architects-cum-artists – from July to December 2005. Ho is also a visiting lecturer at various universities and institutes in Hong Kong and is frequently invited to be Guest Speaker of International Design Conferences and Seminars. From 2005 to 2007, Ho is the Chairman of the Organising Committee of the International Architectural Design Competition for the Hong Kong Design Institute. Currently, Ho is a member of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons Association, as well as a founding member of the Professional and Senior Executives Association.

Design Synopsis of The Red Box

Taking into consideration of the sculpture to be a functional art piece located in a park, the Red Box was conceived as a mixed media pavilion cum gateway to the Square that blends function with aesthetics, the natural with the artificial, and tradition with the contemporary. The Site By artfully locating it under the shades, the Red Box has come to represent the union and harmony between human beings and nature. The Red Box, taking a stable cubic form in a size that is neither too big nor too small, serves as a relaxing pavilion resonating with the tranquility of the tree shades from right above. The large and small apertures meanwhile allow airiness, vista and movement from all sides. The immediate proximity of the organic disorder of trunks and leaves and the man-made rational order of the Box, on the other hand, simultaneously poses a strong visual tension of the opposing forces. The contrasting intervention of the Box in the soft landscape also challenges pedestrians to stop and appreciate nature.   Standing at the intersection of the Eastern Strip and the Central Axis, the Red Box is also the gateway to the Park that is also in a dialogue with the Beijing Olympic Emblem Sculpture. The Number Nine Experimenting with the digit representing the largest quantity in Chinese humanities on the Red Box 's perfect geometric form, the three sides above ground are each punctuated with 9 square perforations and projections, producing shades and stools that are both decorative and functional. Further exploring with the number 9 in the design, the Red Box measures at 3 metres – 3 being the root of 9 - on each side. The Colour Red Red is a common colour for traditional Chinese pavilions. Through the use of automobile paint of a sharp colour, the Red Box is making an outstanding statement amid the enclave of the natural landscape. The glossy finish of the paint, a reinterpretation of the use of lacquer in ancient Chinese furniture, also highlights the Red Box's function as street benches. The LED lighting on the other hand accentuates the contours and gives definition to the Red Box at night. Information provided by Sun Hung Kai Properties Charitable Fund Limited.