Adopt a Log | Hong Kong

  • Category: Public Space & Architecture, Art & Culture, Storytelling & Communications, Design Thinking & Engagement

    Type: Outdoor | Exhibition | Workshop

    Location: Hong Kong

    Client: Art Promotion Office, HKSAR Government

    Completion: 2019-2020

Adopt a Log

Tens of thousands of trees, including many old and valuable ones were toppled by Typhoon Mangkhut in September 2018. To utilise and recycle the enormous amount of fallen trees, the Art Promotion Office joined hands with One Bite Foundation Association and Hong Kong Sculpture to launch Junk! Woodworking in four episodes to raise public awareness and appreciation of the fallen logs.

The first episode was “Junk! Woodworking Exhibition” at the Hong Kong Flower Show 2019. The second episode was “Fallen Trees, Rising Hope” at Sha Tin Park, followed by the third episode “Adopt a Log Brainstorming Session”. The last episode “Adopt a Log School Project” was an educational programme which invited local primary and secondary schools to adopt the fallen logs for air-drying and further explore woodwork. Participating schools would learn the skills for woodworking and the knowledge to take care of felled logs through a series of workshops. The concept of “train the trainers” supports a sustainable and organic development in school to arouse the awareness in this environmental aspect.

The project has transformed the acute “problem” of felled logs into an opportunity for education and community-building. A total of 15 schools and over 30 teachers had joined the “Adopt a Log School Project”. 45 tree logs were saved and air-dried, eventually, being upcycled into permanent public art and furniture in the participating schools. It is the first project in the city to use the concept of adoption in tackling environmental issue.

JUNK! Woodworking

  • Despite being confronted by the astonishing images of damage and felled trees toppled by Typhoon Mangkhut in September 2018, clean-up efforts happened almost overnight with the city returning to normal within a short period of time, attesting to the city’s resilience.

    A bigger problem however was how to deal with the large number of fallen trees. According to a Legislative Council report, more than 54,000 reports of fallen trees were received. In the past, fallen trees from typhoons would be sent to the landfill. However in light of greater awareness for resource conservation and appreciation for the utility of these trees, many of them of valuable species and considerable age, how might we find creative solutions to put these trees to good use?

    The Adopt a Log School Project has transformed the unwelcome “problem” of fallen logs into an opportunity for conservation education and community-building. 15 schools and over 30 teachers joined the programme and collectively saved 45 logs. After air-drying, these logs were eventually upcycled into permanent public art and furniture displayed in participating schools. This is the first such project in the city to use the concept of adoption and upcycling to tackle the environmental waste generated in the aftermath of a natural disaster productively and creatively.

    Design for Good Values

    • Build Shared Value

    ESG/ Sustainability Factors

    • Community
      - Designed to give

    • Environment
      - Resource Conservation
      - Environmental Education

  • Collaborators: Hong Kong Sculpture Society & Coutou Woodworking Studio

    Photographer: Tai Ngai Lung

    One Biters: Alan Cheung, Suki Luk, Sarah Mui, Sherene Ng, Suet Yan, Yuki Yeung

  • #upcycle #workshop #sustainable