Connecting Youth with Professional Architects to Explore Cultural Architecture Traces

The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Sustainability Unit is committed to equipping youth with green skills, fostering exchanges and collaboration with professionals, and nurturing them as future leaders for a sustainable city. 

In continued partnership with The Hong Kong Institute of Architects, we held the 4th Design Charrette 2025, “Architecture Traces”, on 22–23 November. For the first time, the programme took youth beyond Hong Kong to Macau’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Ruins of St. Paul’s, Na Tcha Temple, the Old City Walls, and Mount Fortress, allowing participants to experience the cultural value and spatial aesthetics of historic architecture up close. The event attracted 50 senior secondary students from 12 schools.

We also invited professors from the department of Architecture and Design of the University of Saint Joseph Macao to guide students through the architecture department, offering insights into the learning journey of architects and a first-hand experience of the academic atmosphere before becoming professionals.

Combining cross-border field visits with design challenges, the workshop encouraged participants to explore the balance between conservation and urban development through innovative thinking. Their proposals, envisioning different ages from the 1990s to the year 2100, integrated cultural preservation, innovation, and sustainability — presenting designs that honour historical value while embracing future visions.

This experience deepened youth’s understanding of the relationship between conservation and development, while cultivating design thinking, teamwork, and environmental awareness. It inspired them to pursue careers in architectural design and urban development, moving toward the goal of becoming the next generation of green architects.

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About HKFYG Sustainability Unit

The aim of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups is to educate and create opportunities for youths and engage them as critical actors in environmental awareness and protection.

Through the principle, “Learn to Lead, Lead to Change“, youths are equipped with the appropriate attitude, skills and knowledge on sustainability through various training and exposure programmes.

Focusing on Youth-led Decarbonisation, a three- level model was adopted to engage youths in green sustainable development comprising Sustainability Foundation, Sustainability in Action and Sustainability Leadership. Sign Up now at the Hong Kong’s first “Youth Decarbonisation Platform”: https://sst.decarbon.hkfyg.org.hk/