Current & Upcoming Events

From Waste to Nature: Architectural Experiments in SustainabilityAs cities face unprecedented climate challenges, sustainable architecture must evolve beyond green walls and solar panels. It requires a fundamental rethinking of materials, structures, and urban infrastructure.Mr. Otto Ng from LAAB Architects will share how their interdisciplinary laboratory designs for the future of green living. Highlighting experimental projects - including a zero-waste 3D-printed pavilion in Paris, the flood-resilient Tsui Ping River revitalization, and the breathable urban micro-climates of K11 MUSEA - this talk bridges the gap between human habitats and the natural world.From Waste to Nature challenges ourselves to stop treating designs and buildings as static boxes and start engineering them as adaptable, circular systems capable of actively healing our cities.Speaker:Otto Ng, Cofounder, LAABDrawing on his research at MIT and global experience across the US, UK, and Italy, Otto co-founded LAAB Architects - an interdisciplinary laboratory dedicated to social and sustainable innovation. Otto leads a studio culture that focuses on both bold experimentation and pragmatic execution, resulting in placemaking, ecological projects like K11 MUSEA and the Tsui Ping River Revitalization.LAAB’s innovative approach has earned numerous international accolades, including the Japan Good Design Best 100, the AIA International Award, and the Design Anthology Award for Sustainability. To further democratize design, Otto and his team launched commaa in 2024 - a cultural venue and specialty coffee house designed to foster community connection through art and architecture.Otto holds a BA in Architectural Studies (First Class Honours) from HKU and a Master of Architecture from MIT. He has also shared his expertise as an Assistant Professor at HKU, lecturing on design coding and making. This talk supports the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureSDG 11: Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesSDG 12: Responsible Consumption and ProductionThis is a HMAW1905-recognized event in the "Personal Enrichment & Community Service" category under the "Self-directed Experience" of HMAW1905: Behavioral Foundations of University Education: Habits, Mindsets, and Wellness. To receive 1.5 hours, you must attend the event in full and miss no more than 10 mins.The talk will be recorded and photos will be taken during the talk. By attending or participating in this event, you are giving your consent to be photographed and video recorded and you are waiving any and all claims regarding the use of your image by the University.