# Ida & Billy Reimagines Hong Kong Campus Modernism Through Dormitory Facades Contemporary design blends nature connection with campus heritage. - **Source:** [architecture archives | designboom | architecture & design magazine](https://brifing.si/source/1e716da2-18e6-4704-96a6-818e7860b99f) - **Published:** 2026-07-21 - **Topic:** [Design & UX](https://brifing.si/c/design) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/33a53306-d15f-4d26-bb05-0d0e5d634a27 ## Design Respecting Campus Heritage Ida Billy Architects' Choi Kai Yau Hostel at CUHK harmonizes with the 1970s modernist campus plan. While preserving the visual prominence of the existing library, the dormitory offers both introspective and social spaces. Two courtyards, adapted to the topography, form the backbone of the structure. ## Climate-Responsive Architectural Details The design incorporates passive solutions for Hong Kong's tropical climate. GRC sunbreakers and protruding slabs provide shade, while courtyards facilitate natural ventilation. An ivy-covered wall in the southern courtyard improves air quality while serving as an aesthetic feature. ## Spaces Nurturing Student Community The hostel strategically positions communal areas to enhance interaction. Shared pantries, a reading gallery overlooking pines, and a rooftop terrace with mountain views extend daily life beyond bedrooms. Stepped seating in courtyards enables outdoor activities. ## Contemporary Interpretation of Modernist Language The project reinterprets the campus's concrete modernist vocabulary with contemporary materials. Horizontal lines mirror the library architecture, while fine-grid facades align with adjacent academic blocks. Mechanical rooms reference the campus's sculptural stair hoods. ## Spatial Composition Integrated with Nature Transparent ground-floor facades and operable doors create continuity between campus and greenery. Bedroom windows frame distant views, while corridors highlight tree vistas. This design ensures students remain constantly connected to nature in daily life. ## Sustainable and Community-Focused Approach Ida & Billy's design offers not just shelter but a learning and social ecosystem. Through energy efficiency, natural materials, and flexible spaces, the hostel presents a sustainable model for future university living. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.designboom.com/architecture/ida-billy-hong-kong-campus-modernism-dormitory-gridded-facades-choi-kai-yau/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._