Picture this A sleek modern building rises before you. This is the Hong Kong Design Institute HKDI a vibrant hub of creativity. Founded in 2007 by the Vocational Training Council HKDI wasn’t always here. It began by centralizing design programs scattered across various campuses.
The institute’s current home is a masterpiece. A French architectural firm Coldefy & Associés won an international competition to design this stunning structure. Their winning design beat out 162 other submissions. Imagine a massive rectangular building suspended seven stories above the street. Four towers support this architectural marvel with a steel lattice exoskeleton.
Inside this impressive building you’ll find more than just classrooms. There are four auditoriums lecture theaters a cafe and even gallery and exhibition space. Students can enjoy sports facilities too. An indoor games hall outdoor basketball courts and a swimming pool. The campus opened in 2010. An escalator to the seventh floor was added in 2011. The Design Boulevard opened a year earlier.
HKDI offers a wide range of programs. The Department of Architecture Interior and Product Design offers courses in everything from architectural design to jewellery design. The Department of Communication Design covers advertising design illustration and visual communication. Digital media lovers can explore animation visual effects and film production. Fashion enthusiasts will find programs in fashion design and fashion image design.
The institute boasts several Knowledge Centres. The HKDI Centre for Communication Design for example offers workshops and resources. The HKDI Centre for Innovative Material and Technology provides students access to the latest technology. The HKDI Fashion Archive is a treasure trove for fashion enthusiasts.
But HKDI is more than just a school. It’s a place where innovation and collaboration thrive. It is located beside the Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) Lee Wai Lee campus. The two are connected by footbridges. The HKDI is easily accessible. It is just across the street from Tiu Keng Leng station. This station serves both the Tseung Kwan O line and Kwun Tong line of the MTR.
So here we stand at the heart of Hong Kong’s design scene a place where creativity flourishes. This is the Hong Kong Design Institute. A testament to innovation education and the city’s dynamic spirit.