Tao Ho Archive 何弢檔案
Tao Ho (1936–2019), an architect born in Shanghai and raised in Hong Kong, is also recognised as an interdisciplinary artist and public intellectual. He pursued studies in architecture and urban design at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. After graduation, Ho ventured into creating a diverse portfolio of conceptual works and architectural projects spanning exhibition design, graphic design, and furniture design.
This archival fonds delves into two main aspects of Ho's career. Firstly, it documents his early architectural and urban design endeavours, including his thesis on the redesign of Wan Chai’s waterfront into a mixed-use district (1963), the development of the Hong Kong Arts Centre (1968–1977), the innovative concept of a floating city – Metroplan: West Kowloon Reclamation Concept (1988), and the exploration of sustainable architecture through projects like the Container Office (1989–1992). The second part of the collection focuses on Ho’s professional undertakings in Hong Kong, China, and beyond, featuring renovation projects such as the Western Market (1991) and Government House (1992), proposals for iconic structures like the Peak Tram Station (1991) in Hong Kong, architectural developments such as the AJ Universal Centre (1994) in Suzhou and the Wing Kwong Pentecostal Holiness Church (2000) in Hong Kong, among others.
Moreover, this fonds encompasses Ho’s involvement in exhibition and design initiatives, highlighting projects such as the THD Chair (1973), the design of the Hong Kong Pavilion at Expo ’86 in Vancouver, stamp designs for the Hongkong Post throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the creation of flag and emblem for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1997), the public art installation “Synergy of Dynamic Energy” at Hong Kong International Airport (1998), and the graphic mural for MTR station at North Point, Hong Kong (2001), showcasing his diverse and impactful contributions to the realms of design and architecture.
The Tao Ho Archive was acquired by M+ in 2023. M+ is committed to the preservation and to the arrangement and description of the Archive to the highest international standards. As sections of the archive are catalogued, they will be made available on the M+ Collections website.
Arranged chronologically by project.
This archival fonds delves into two main aspects of Ho's career. Firstly, it documents his early architectural and urban design endeavours, including his thesis on the redesign of Wan Chai’s waterfront into a mixed-use district (1963), the development of the Hong Kong Arts Centre (1968–1977), the innovative concept of a floating city – Metroplan: West Kowloon Reclamation Concept (1988), and the exploration of sustainable architecture through projects like the Container Office (1989–1992). The second part of the collection focuses on Ho’s professional undertakings in Hong Kong, China, and beyond, featuring renovation projects such as the Western Market (1991) and Government House (1992), proposals for iconic structures like the Peak Tram Station (1991) in Hong Kong, architectural developments such as the AJ Universal Centre (1994) in Suzhou and the Wing Kwong Pentecostal Holiness Church (2000) in Hong Kong, among others.
Moreover, this fonds encompasses Ho’s involvement in exhibition and design initiatives, highlighting projects such as the THD Chair (1973), the design of the Hong Kong Pavilion at Expo ’86 in Vancouver, stamp designs for the Hongkong Post throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the creation of flag and emblem for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1997), the public art installation “Synergy of Dynamic Energy” at Hong Kong International Airport (1998), and the graphic mural for MTR station at North Point, Hong Kong (2001), showcasing his diverse and impactful contributions to the realms of design and architecture.
The Tao Ho Archive was acquired by M+ in 2023. M+ is committed to the preservation and to the arrangement and description of the Archive to the highest international standards. As sections of the archive are catalogued, they will be made available on the M+ Collections website.
Arranged chronologically by project.
This archive is being catalogued. Information will be released periodically.
Details
Object Number
CA18
Archive Creator
Archival Level
Fonds
Date
1972–1991
Object Count
40 items
Credit Line
M+, Hong Kong. Gift of Irene Ho, 2013
