News

Prof. Yinrui Xie Elected as Fellow of the Royal Historical Society

The Department of Architecture (ARCH) is pleased to announce that Prof. Yinrui Xie, Assistant Professor, has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (RHistS) in recognition of his significant contribution to historical scholarship. The Royal Historical Society, founded in 1868, is a premier international organisation based in the United Kingdom that promotes the study of history and advances historical research worldwide. Fellowship is awarded to individuals who have made a distinguished, original, and peer-recognized contribution to the discipline through a body of high-quality publication and research. Prof. Xie’s research focuses on the architectural exchanges between China and the wider world, as well as the built environments of Chinese diasporic communities. He is the author of the monograph Design as Communication: An Architectural History of Christian Universities in China (Routledge, 2025). His scholarly articles have appeared in leading international journals, including Architectural History, The Journal of Architecture, arq: Architectural Research Quarterly, and Planning Perspectives. His historical scholarship has received funding from prestigious bodies such as the British Academy, for which he served as Principal Investigator on a project examining the architecture and place-making of Chinese temples in Britain. His ongoing research projects investigate exhibition architecture and image-making in Hong Kong, alongside architecture’s role in shaping China’s international presence. Additionally, Prof. Xie is developing innovative, AI-assisted computational approaches to architectural history to complement traditional archival research and fieldwork through the visual analysis of buildings. Prior to joining PolyU, Prof. Xie held academic positions in the United Kingdom and Australia. He holds a PhD from the University of Melbourne and both a Bachelor and Master of Architecture (with Distinction) from Tsinghua University. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK) and maintains active memberships in the Society of Architectural Historians (SAH), the Architectural Society of China (ASC), and the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain (SAHGB). The Department extends its warmest congratulations to Prof. Xie on this prestigious international recognition, which highlights the academic excellence and research strength within ARCH.  

Build a Smart City Competition 2026 Concludes with Award Presentation Ceremony

The Department of Architecture (ARCH) is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the Build a Smart City Competition 2026, culminating in an official Award Presentation Ceremony held on 10 October 2026. The competition, which brought together secondary school student teams from across Hong Kong, celebrated the exceptional ingenuity, spatial design vision, and computational modeling skills of the next generation of urban innovators. The annual competition challenges young minds to develop forward-thinking architectural proposals aimed at enhancing urban sustainability, efficiency, and microclimates. Following a rigorous evaluation process, an esteemed panel of professional judges reviewed the final design proposals and models based on their architectural innovation, technical viability, and community impact. Wa Ying College was crowned the Champion of the competition for their outstanding commercial complex design. Inspired by the natural terraced landscapes of Jiuzhaigou, the team utilized advanced 3D modeling to seamlessly integrate three structural towers using a strategic network of bridges and escalators. Their proposal creatively exploited the structural variance between building layers to establish vibrant outdoor green terraces, while incorporating an automated misting system designed to lower urban temperatures and create a dynamic spatial atmosphere. The 1st Runner-up title was awarded to King's College, followed by China Holiness Church Living Spirit College as the 2nd Runner-up. Merit Awards were presented to Wah Yan College, Hong Kong, Shun Tak Fraternal Association Yung Yau College, and CCC Kei Yuen College in recognition of their high-quality design work. The Department extends its warmest congratulations to all the winning schools, and expresses its sincere appreciation to every participating team for the immense effort, creativity, and dedication demonstrated throughout the competition journey. The Department also thanks the professional jury members whose guidance made this an invaluable educational experience for all involved.  

Department of Architecture Showcases Vibrant Creative Spirit at PolyU Info Day 2026

The Department of Architecture (ARCH) successfully welcomed crowds of prospective students, parents, and visitors during the annual PolyU Info Day held on 10 October 2026. The campus-wide event drew a significant turnout, with the university welcoming around 49,000 visitors eager to explore undergraduate opportunities and admissions information. The day served as an important platform for the public to engage directly with faculty members and learn about the diverse educational paths offered by the Department. Located at the Podium CF Wing, the ARCH exhibition booth drew consistent crowds throughout the day. Visitors had the opportunity to explore the curriculum details of the BSc (Hons) in Architectural Studies programme and interact directly with academic staff and student ambassadors, who offered personalized guidance and academic advice to aspiring designers. A custom mini-game was also featured at the booth, allowing participants to test their spatial skills and redeem department souvenirs. The Department's admission seminars were highly attended by prospective applicants keen to understand the core curriculum structure, the vibrant studio culture, and the professional registration pathways available upon graduation. Complementing the seminars, a series of hands-on interactive design workshops allowed participants to experience the creative process of an architecture student. Under the direct guidance of the ARCH team, workshop attendees experimented with physical materials, explored spatial concepts, and successfully constructed their own architectural models. The successful execution of the day’s activities was made possible by the immense dedication, energy, and teamwork demonstrated by all participating staff and student ambassadors. The Department of Architecture extends its sincere appreciation to the entire team for their tireless support in showcasing the academic rigor and creative community spirit of ARCH.

ARCH Talk Series: Pioneering 3D Metal Printing in Architecture Explored on Presentation and Lecture Night

ARCH Talk Series: Pioneering 3D Metal Printing in Architecture Explored on Presentation and Lecture Night

ARCH Orientation and Welcome Briefing 2026 Connects Students with the Department

ARCH Orientation and Welcome Briefing 2026 Connects Students with the Department

ARCH Student Wins Second Prize at Saint-Gobain Architecture Student Contest 2026

ARCH Student Wins Second Prize at Saint-Gobain Architecture Student Contest 2026

FCE Build a Smart City Competition 2026: Presentation Day Showcases Student Innovation

FCE Build a Smart City Competition 2026: Presentation Day Showcases Student Innovation

ARCH Makes Debut at FCE Build a Smart City Competition 2026

ARCH Makes Debut at FCE Build a Smart City Competition 2026

Year 1 Architecture Students Showcase at ArchSD 40th Anniversary Exhibition

We are delighted to share that selected architectural works from our Year 1 BSc (Hons) in Architectural Studies students are currently being showcased at the "Dreams of Our Future Architects" Exhibition. Organised on the occasion of the 40th Anniversary of the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD), this signature collaborative programme celebrates architectural excellence and expertise with the next generation of designers in Hong Kong. The opening ceremony was held on 4 July 2026, attended by Prof. Puay Peng HO, Head Designate of the Department of Architecture, alongside our student representatives to celebrate this significant milestone. During the event, our students had the invaluable opportunity to present their design directly to esteemed ArchSD representatives, including Mr Li Kiu-yin, Michael, JP, the Director of Architectural Services. Through joint efforts with ArchSD teams and studio critiques, our students gained valuable industry insights and explored diverse architectural boundaries. Focusing on the theme of "Countryside Intervention", their selected projects of building a pavillion at a site in Long Ke demonstrate highly innovative design visions tailored for the sustainable development of the city. This roving exhibition brings together works from our department, ArchSD, and other participating universities to foster enduring partnerships between academia and the professional sector. The exhibition is fully open to the public at Area A, H6 CONET (G/F, The Center, Central) until 19 July 2026. We warmly welcome all staff members, students, friends, and families to visit the venue, engage with the creative displays, and celebrate the milestone achievements of our future architects.

The Architecture of Housing, a Dutch perspective

Public Lecture by Prof. Ir Dirk VAN GAMEREN, TU Delft