Alan Shares Asian Design Perspectives at PULSE Ostrava
Alan on the stage of PULSE Ostrava 2026 (photography by Martin Faltejsek)
Our co-founder, Alan Cheung, recently travelled to Czechia to represent onebite at PULSE Ostrava, a premier international platform dedicated to architectural innovation, interior design, and product design across Central Europe.
The backdrop for the event could not have been more fitting. Held inside the stunningly revitalised coal-mining complex of Dolní Vítkovice (Gong), the venue served as an inspiring real-world masterclass in adaptive reuse and industrial heritage preservation, perfectly aligning with the festival's core theme of "Critical Cooperation."
Navigating Cultural Expectations in Asia and Europe
A major highlight of the event was Alan joining the stage for a compelling panel discussion alongside Eva Le Peutrec (Principal Architect at CASUA). Titled "Designing Across Continents: Navigating Cultural Expectations in Asia and Europe", the session dived into the complex realities of delivering global architecture.
During the panel, Alan explained that onebite approaches dense urban environments with a distinct, community-first philosophy:
"We treat our city not as a mechanical grid, but as a living organism. Urban Acupuncture is our practice of identifying where a city’s vitality has stalled—whether in a neglected rooftop, or an urban redevelopment."
Alan and Eva explored how architectural practices can bridge geographical gaps, noting that while client expectations and local regulations differ wildly between Asian and European markets, the ultimate goal of an architect is universal: building local identity and fostering a sense of community ownership.
Play as the 'Needle': Building in Asia
In his solo presentation, Alan showcased how onebite acts as an "urban healer" by revitalising under-utilised civic spaces. Using examples like the vibrant Siu Hei Court Playspace and the gender-inclusive Ming Tak Sports Court, he demonstrated how neglected public housing rooftops can be transformed into active, colourful hubs for multi-generational play.
Alan captured the room’s attention by challenging the traditional, heavy-handed methods of city planning:
"In a hyper-dense environment like Hong Kong, we don't believe in massive, soul-less surgery; we believe in Play as the most powerful 'needle' to restore the flow of life. By deploying strategic, playable 'bites' of design—from micro-interventions to regional landscapes—we act as an urban healer.
He also introduced the audience to onebite’s flagship urban redevelopment project, the Diamond Hill Water Feature Park (the site of the former Tai Hom Village). This pioneer project utilised a bespoke, design-thinking methodology nicknamed KNOTIE to turn an urban park into a living, historical archive.
"By combining the fragments of the past into the fabric of the present, we transform this urban park into a living archive... This approach anchors the community’s identity in a touchable reality to show that the soul of a city can be preserved with limited land."
Looking to the Future: Be Playful, Be Impactful
As the first and only architectural design office in Hong Kong to achieve B-Corp certification, the trip to PULSE Ostrava reinforced onebite's core mission: Interconnecting people and making places. Our heartfelt thanks go to the organisers of PULSE Ostrava for their hospitality and for orchestrating an event that brought together over 90 international speakers. Alan closed his session with a rallying cry that perfectly summarised the spirit of the conference:
"Be Playful and Be Impactful. Co-operation is always critical."
What are your thoughts on using "play" as a tool for urban regeneration? Explore our portfolio of community-centric projects here.
