Visit to the School of Architecture and Applied Arts, University of Oregon, USA

Mr. Patrick Luk (HKIA, RA), faculty member of our Department of Architecture visited the University of Oregon (UO) in the USA from 5 to 14 April 2005. Mr. Luk was invited to visit the School of Architecture and Applied Arts of UO and to participate the Holistic Options for Planet Earth Sustainability (HOPES 11) Conference titled "ReVision ReDesign ReSolution", during which Mr. Luk was invited as a featured speaker and presented a lecture titled "Climate Responsiveness of Vernacular Architecture in Hong Kong: Revisiting the Abandoned".

The visit was part of the International Visiting Programme which is in line with the vision and mission of the College to flourish teaching quality, staff development and international academic interplay.

In meeting the challenge of the 21st Century in the "Pacific Rim", architectural education and practice on both side of the Pacific Ocean have evolved in diverse ways. The idea of sustainable environment also finds a wide spectrum of realisation as well as idealisation among the members of the Pacific neighbourhood.

In order to understand the architectural programmes in UO, Mr. Luk has participated in the lectures, design studios, departmental meetings etc. in both the Eugene and Portland campuses of UO and was invited to share ideas, experiences as well as difficulties in architectural education with the faculty members of UO.

We are delighted to receive the warmest welcome, hospitality and enthusiasm from the staff of UO. We would like to express our appreciation to UO faculty members who devoted their time and resources to such a fruitful visit.