Architect Bing Thom dies aged 75 during visit to Hong Kong birthplace

Hong Kong-born architect Bing Thom, who migrated to Canada as a child, has died of a brain aneurysm during a visit to the city.

“It’s a shame that he could not see the completion of his project,” Ivan Ho, a board member of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, said.

Ho noted that Thom was an expert on “water engineering”, having provided advice on how the waterfront of Hong Kong could be revitalised.

Bryant Lu, vice-chairman of Ronald Lu and Partners, who worked with Thom on the opera house project, said he had learned a lot from the experience.

“We have lost a great architect, teacher and mentor ... I have learnt a great deal from Thom over the last three years through our collaboration on the Xiqu project,” Lu told the Post. “He called the Xiqu project a homecoming project. That shows how committed he was to his birth place.

“He is one of the most influential Chinese architects of our era and we miss him dearly.”