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HY William Chan
I am passionate about
Creativity is my passion. I am passionate about creating socially and environmentally responsible architecture with the ambition of uplifting community spirit, through creative innovation. Architects have a significantly influential role in designing our built and natural environments whilst determining our livelihoods and our society. Yet, architecture seldom contributes to the social good by addressing sustainable urbanisation. This is a most pressing challenge of our time, especially for the urban poor. By engaging grassroots communities in a participatory process, I can help alleviate urban poverty in both developing and developed countries. Thoughtful design can improve community wellbeing and I love that I can be part of it. Furthermore, advancing the architectural direction on environmental sustainability is my long-term agenda and I envisage in developing influential practices that foster leadership. I am ambitious about being at the forefront of integrating sustainable and renewable technologies. This includes passive designs that harness environmental ingenuity for its application to buildings. I love inspiring others to be zealous. In order to empower other designers to find creative sustainable solutions, I need to take challenges and just go for it! After all, the future sustainable change enacted by our generation will be incredible and to know that my passion lies within this field is truly exhilarating.
Actions
Global Studio is a place-based action research program. International design students, academics and professionals come together with local universities, government and non-profits to address the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. We collaborate closely with disadvantage communities and the urban poor in the hope of overcoming poverty through design. This 'think-and-do tank' uniquely promotes participatory forms of education and practice that will benefit under-served informal settlements and inspire long-term relationships. My team's innovative bottom-up engagement involved local slum dwellers to become designers, whilst professionals became facilitators. Our project was exhibited in the 2010 International Architecture Biennale, The Netherlands, and the program received the US-based 2009 Skandalaris Award for leadership and entrepreneurship in architecture, design and visual arts through community-based sustainable practices. Since Global Studio began, there have been some 500 participants from 66 universities and over 30 countries. I was named one of Australia's Brightest Young Minds in 2010 for my leadership and involvement. My other projects include sitting on the national council for the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, International Award for Young People, the sustainability committee of the Institute of Architects, and I have actively served as a director for World Vision's youth movement and as part of the Australian team for the COP15 UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen.
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