Urban Daydreaming

In Hong Kong

In 2016, designer brothers Erwan and Ronan Bouroullec showcased their first foray into the realm of urban design with four exhibitions held in three venues in the city of Rennes, France. One of the exhibitions, titled Rêveries Urbaines, or Urban Daydreaming, showcased design proposals for various urban settings with whimsical installations.

The exhibition travelled to Vitra’s Fire Station in the same year, and now it has made its Asian debut at The Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) Gallery.

Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec – Urban Daydreaming is jointly presented by by HKDI and Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Training Council (IVE, Lee Wai Lee) – member institutions of the Vocational Training Council (VTC).

The Asian edition of Urban Daydreaming showcases 14 proposals, each of which explores different ways to incorporate nature into urban spaces. The project proposals include ideas for reintroducing greenery, wildlife and water into the city.

Prof. Eric Yim, JP, Deputy Chairman of VTC, remarked in his opening speech that the Bouroullec Brothers have taken into consideration the many urban functions that the Hong Kong people may have easily taken for granted. “They inspire us by suggesting enchanting new connections between people, buildings and the many different elements in the city,” he said.

The whimsical objects depicted in the installations straddle the boundaries between product design and architecture. While appearing utopian, these concepts are actually attainable. A few of the concepts presented in the 2016 exhibition have been realised in cities around the world.

Pictured is Shelters and Rocks, which comprises a gathering of rocks arranged in a small mound covered by a circular shelter with an opening to accommodate a tree. Taking inspiration from the follies popular in parks in nineteenth century, the brothers likened the scene to a public belvedere that invites people to climb up its rocky points to rediscover the urban horizon.

Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec – Urban Daydreaming runs until 17 February 2019. View more images at Indesignlive.sg!