Touch Ceramics and Gallery is located inside the Barrack Block of Tai Kwun, or the Former Central Police Compound built between 1841 and 1925. The complex comprises 16 historical buildings of which 3 are declared monuments. As the functions of Police Station, Magistracy and Prison have moved to other locations, this cluster of historical assets has been left vacant for a while until it underwent a throughout conservation and revitalization process funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club in 2008. The complex was re-opened in 2018 delivering great cultural events to the public.
The shop owner is a pottery and painting teacher as well as an arts collector. He rented a unit from Tai Kwun in 2018 as a pottery studio and gallery, and expanded in 2020 to include the media of paintings. We have been friends for many years, and thanks to the mutual trust established, my design proposal is fully supported by him almost without any amendments.
The interior is already filled a vibe of the colonial history of Hong Kong. Wooden floor, brick walls, arched openings, timber framed windows, and the views overlooking the nearby canton roof tiles and banyan trees have all contributed to the slow-paced atmosphere. In order to go with the background patina, the design uses wood as the main construction material to define various spaces and to facilitate flexible settings in different topics of exhibitions.
Hong Kong Optometric Services (2020)