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West Kowloon Cultural District
Hong KongEducation

Critics of Hong Kong Palace Museum on the attack as public consultation begins

Opponents find fault with displays and lack of options in online survey, but architects back secretive appointment of design consultant Rocco Yim

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Hong Kong-based architect Rocco Yim, the museum’s project consultant, was appointed without an open tender. Photo: Sam Tsang
Tony Cheung,Oliver ChouandNaomi Ng
A public consultation on the HK$3.5 billion Palace Museum project opened on Wednesday and immediately came under fire for being “hastily thrown together” despite months of planning.
The criticism was made as architects backed the government’s decision to appoint the controversial project’s design consultant behind closed doors instead of the usual practice of an open tender.

Hongkongers are being asked to share their views until February 22 through an online survey or in person at the exhibition in Central.

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The survey asks seven questions about the facilities and types of exhibitions and programmes people would like to see, but it does not touch on whether the museum should be built at all, or if it should be located in the West Kowloon Cultural District.

The six-week consultation exercise runs until February 22. Photo: Sam Tsang
The six-week consultation exercise runs until February 22. Photo: Sam Tsang
The exhibition at City Gallery consists of six double-sided display boards with a brief overview of the project along with past works of the appointed architect, Rocco Yim Sen-kee.
It particularly drew criticism for not being informative enough.
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“There’s no information whatsoever on the size and proportion breakdown of the facilities. There’s not even anyone to walk me through the exhibit in person,” Civic Party lawmaker Tanya Chan said outside the exhibit hall.

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