News and Achievements

International Architecture & Design Award 2025 Winner - U Garden

The Architecture & Design Community (ADC) has recognised CDO’s work with multiple accolades at the 2025 International Architecture and Design Awards. The awards include: Platinum Winner for Architecture: Educational and Campus Design, Completed / Professional Category Platinum Winner for Landscape: Institutional and Educational Landscape Design, Completed / Professional Category (The only awardee) Gold Winner for Interior: Public Building and Institutional Interior Design, Completed / Professional Category Embracing the concept of “Experiencing a Garden, Not Just a Restaurant,” U Garden showcases a harmonious design with expansive glass walls that invite natural light and frame picturesque garden views. The once-quiet CDE Wing has been transformed into a stylish and comfortable dining area, establishing itself as a new landmark for the PolyU community. For more information, please visit here.

MUSE Design Award丨SFT Fashion Design Studio - Silver Winner

The SFT Fashion Design Studio has excelled at the highly influential 2025 MUSE Design Award, winning silver in both the Interior Design - Institution / Educational and the Furniture Design - Educational categories!  This project emphasises the dynamic interplay between light, spatial organisation, collaboration, and artistic expression. The studio is meticulously crafted to reduce clutter and distractions while integrating essential elements that enhance the working and learning environment within limited space. The award-winning modular desk system combines multifunctionality with ample storage. By providing various storage solutions, the designers effectively tackle issues of disorganisation and insufficient space for tools, fabrics, and personal items, thereby promoting collaboration among students.  For more details here.

MUSE Design Award丨U Garden - Gold Winner

We are proud to announce that U Garden has been awarded the Gold Winner at the prestigious Muse Design Awards in the category of Architectural Design - Education! With the concept of "Experiencing a Garden, Not Just a Restaurant," U Garden is designed as a welcoming space for the PolyU community to connect and foster collaboration. U Garden transforms the underused CDE Wing on campus into an attractive food and beverage outlet, establishing it as an iconic landmark on campus. The design incorporates the iconic red-brick elements of our campus while featuring arches and curves that soften the building's lines and reflect the University’s rich heritage. The timeless façade invites exploration, while expansive openings and glass walls fill the interior with natural light, offering stunning views of the lush garden. U Garden has created an inviting atmosphere for students, staff and visitors alike. Find more details here.  

International Design Awards Bronze Winner 2024

We are excited to announce that our Core V 13/F project, the Fashion Design Studio for the School of Fashion and Textiles at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has been awarded a Bronze Award at the prestigious International Design Awards (IDA). Themed "Warp and Weft, Light and Shadow, Teaching and Learning, People and Space," this project beautifully illustrates the dynamic interplay of light, spatial organisation, collaboration, and artistic expression within the studio. This recognition reflects the creativity and dedication of our Design Team and Project Management Team at CDO. It also underscores our commitment to balancing thoughtful design, scale, and cost-effectiveness in university projects. Please visit here for the award information and here for the detailed project information.  

Asian Design Awards 2024

Exciting news! Our Kowloon Tong Student Hostel project has been recognised at the 2024 Better Future Asian Design Awards. This project not only addresses the accommodation shortage but also fosters holistic growth through sustainable design. Inspired by the beauty of terraced rice paddies, our design harmoniously integrates with nature, featuring inviting terraces and courtyards that encourage social interaction. In line with the University’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality, the hostel serves as a model of innovation. We incorporated Modular Integrated Design (MiC) techniques from the planning stage, which enhance construction efficiency, reduce disturbances to the surrounding community, and promote the health and well-being of residents. In addition to the BETTER FUTURE Asian Design Award, the student hostel has also achieved a Provisional Platinum rating under BEAM Plus New Buildings (V1.2) from the Hong Kong Green Building Council, recognising its outstanding sustainability performance. This project enriches our students' university experience and supports Hong Kong's vision of becoming a regional education hub. Please visit here for the award information and here for the detailed project information.

PolyU Garden Restaurant Project Kick-off Ceremony

Our office was delighted to join the Project Kick-off Ceremony for our highly anticipated PolyU Garden Restaurant. The PolyU Garden Restaurant is anticipated to be ready for the PolyU community in December 2024. It will be a vibrant and inviting space where the community members can relax, unwind, and enjoy delectable culinary delights. Please stay tuned. Let’s look forward to the enchanting transformation of the PolyU Garden Restaurant!

CDO’s Project Sharing Session on 23 April 2024

We hosted a Project Sharing Session where we had the opportunity to share our latest key campus projects - Redevelopment of House of Innovation and the Garden Restaurant at CDE Wing. We thank all the participants who joined us, allowing us to share our plan of fostering a user-friendly and sustainable campus environment with our thriving community. For more details of these two projects, please visit: - Redevelopment of House of Innovation - Garden Restaurant 

University Square is Officially Open!

We are delighted to share that the newly unveiled University Square at PolyU has brought a fresh wave of inspiration! The University Square represents more than just a physical space; it embodies a visionary concept that seamlessly blends nature and architecture. Offering a serene and tranquil environment, it serves as an oasis of calm amidst the bustling surroundings, providing a place where individuals can unwind, collaborate, and find inspiration. While the flag pole has been relocated to a centralised position, the steps leading to the Square have also been upgraded to enhance accessibility. We invite you to personally experience the beauty of this urban oasis by visiting the University Square. Immerse yourself in its captivating ambiance, and witness first-hand the harmonious fusion of nature and design. Come and discover the University Square, where inspiration meets tranquillity!

Exciting News! The Library Extension and Revitalisation Project Won The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) Special Award

We are thrilled to announce that our dedicated efforts in revitalising our library have been acknowledged and celebrated.  The Library Extension and Revitalisation Project has transformed our library into a state-of-the-art hub of knowledge, fostering collaboration, creativity, and exploration for the PolyU Community members. The project's elegant design, sustainable features, and incorporation of sustainable technologies have turned it into another iconic building at the University.  Please check out our Photo Gallery here for more photos showcasing the design of our library.

Unveiling of the Research Centre for Chinese History and Culture at HHB, PolyU

We are happy to announce the completion of our latest project, the Research Centre for Chinese History and Culture. This state-of-the-art facility is the first collaborative research centre between PolyU and Tsinghua University to enter the HHB Campus. The Centre's goal is to promote Chinese history and cultural education in Hong Kong and on campus, and to achieve this, our team adopted a contemporary Chinese style that blends traditional and modern elements. The result is a sleek yet sophisticated space that features a neutral color palette scheme and clean, minimal ornamentation, creating a serene, warm, and inviting atmosphere for cultural exchange, talent development, and research-related activities. It has been smashing to be part of this project and we are incredibly proud of the work done by our project team. The Research Centre for Chinese History and Culture is a valuable addition to the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. We are excited to see the impact it will have on promoting the study of Chinese culture and history in Hong Kong and beyond.