William Lim might be the only architect in Hong Kong who’s known as much for his vast art collection as his design projects. In fact, art was his first love – “I was obsessed with pastels” – architecture only came second when, upon his father’s chiding, he entered the prestigious Cornell University as a student of architecture. “My portfolio had nothing to do with architecture. I have no idea how I was accepted in the first place!” Upon nabbing a Bachelors and Masters in architecture in the early 1980s, Lim found his footing as an architect in Boston. Five years later, he packed his bags for Hong Kong and subsequently found CL3, a multi-disciplinary architecture firm with offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing, in 1992. Having just completed the Millennium Mitsui Garden hotel in Ginza, CL3 has several projects in the pipeline, including a 28-storey multi-purpose building – “I’d fill it up with galleries if it were up to me” – in Central, due for completion in 2017. The multi-hyphenate is also set to design LANDMARK’s “Take Another View on Art” exhibition installation during Art Basel Hong Kong this month.

Millennium Mitsui Garden hotel

How was architecture being perceived back in the 1970s?

Architecture was treated very much as a service industry back in the days. It used to be quite a mundane profession when all an architect needed to do was maximise the square footage of the square. It has definitely become more personal since then. Developers are willing to spend more to enhance the aesthetic value of a project.

Lantern Wonderland

The late 1970s – that was also when Post-modernism became a part of the design landscape?

Actually, it was a terrible period for architecture. A lot of the new stuff coming out was gimmicky and few of the inventions had anything to do with architecture itself. When you think of good architecture, the design needs to be integrated into the space rather than applied as a decorative feature.

The Hennessy

Were there any influences early in your career?

Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright. Le Corbusier’s idea that the building’s structure should be separated from its enclosure was obviously very important in the development of modern architecture, while Wright was instrumental in advancing the Art Deco movement.

Hotel ICON

You’re a prominent art collector. Does being an architect draw you to certain types of artworks?

I understand conceptual art better. Due to my academic background, I also like works that deal with time and space, be it in an architecturally-driven manner or in a more abstract way. I think Lee Kit and Tozer Pak deal with that.

Hotel ICON

In an increasingly globalised world, what does ‘Chineseness’ or ‘Asianess’ in architecture mean?

I’d hate to reduce ‘Chineseness’ to a pure symbol, as you can easily fall into the trap of building a ‘themed’ mall, park and whatnot. Some of the works by Frank Lloyd Wright are quite Orientalist, yet you don’t see any blatant Asian motifs. Personally, I like using natural materials, as well as applying the yin/yang philosophy in my projects. Water also features strongly.

Marina Bay Sands

Could you elaborate on the use of natural materials?

I love using wood and raw concrete, where the nature of the materials really comes through. I just came back from a trip to India and quite a number of architects are working with sandstone. There is a Chinese saying: if you’re only killing a chicken, why use the knife reserved for butchering a cow? The same philosophy applies to architecture.

CR Land Clubhouse

Why has ‘porosity’ enjoyed such presence in your projects?

Space is an important part of my design as I hate compartmentalisation. There are two types of transparency: literal transparency, which allows one to peer at the next space, and implied transparency, where tools such as mirrored surfaces are used to connect spaces.

Any regrets at not pursuing the visual arts?

I used to think that architecture and art were two separate disciplines, but I’m beginning to see more of my artistic eye in my architectural projects. Michelangelo was an artist as well as an architect. Up until recently, Le Corbusier had always been considered first and foremost an architect – what people didn’t realise was that his artworks could also stand on their own.

CL3
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