Louis Poon Shek-wing has obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Design (Interior Design) from the School of Design, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 1989. From 1989 onwards, he worked as an interior designer with specialty in commercial projects. He was appointed as team leader in 1991 and was responsible for a number of international and renowned clients. From 1993 onwards, he shifted to study theology and he has obtained his Master of Divinity from China Graduate School of Theology, Hong Kong in 1996. He kept on his professional practice through working part-time in interior design projects such as church, kindergarten, elderly centre and residence. In 2003, he decided to integrate his extensive and diversified experiences in interior design and culture (especially church) into a PhD research project. On the same year, he joined the School of Design, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University as a research assistant and started his research as a full time PhD student in 2004. During his study, he was employed as Visiting Lecturer (Part-time) to teach subjects and present lectures on Introduction to the Design Cultures of China, Japan and Korea; Introduction to Design, Culture and Theory; Introduction to Design History from 19th Century to 21st Century; Environmental Design – Client Project; Spiritual Forms and Sociology and Design.

Research title:
Designing Small Scale Community Space in Densely Populated Urban Environment from a User-oriented Perspective – A Case Study of Church Restricted in Flat Space

PhD Advisor:
Dr Jackie Kwok

This research investigates the problems of one-flat churches both theoretically and practically in order to re-establish the significance of spatial design in churches restricted in flat spaces and to search for a contemporary sacred identity in a densely populated urban environment. In Hong Kong around 775 one-flat churches, which are 66% of the total number of Protestant churches, are located in different layers of vertical space in this vertical city. However, a lack of investigation into the design of these sacred spaces leads to unappealing and monotonous appearance. With the provision of social services during weekdays as well as the lack of physical space, the balance between sacred and profane is a critical issue. Field work was conducted with a user-oriented perspective from direct and participant observations to interviews and workshops. Findings indicate that the majority of church spaces are without design, we hope to deduce some valuable design insights and theological standpoints. The outcome of the research will include some directions or design guidelines for the design and planning of one flat church so as to create a sacred representation of God through spatial design with in-depth theological thought and practical concern.