Swiss architects Caroline Wuthrich and Geraldine Borio set up Hong Kong-based Parallel Lab - an architectural office and laboratory for urban research in Asia - in 2010. As part of this year's Hong Kong & Shenzhen Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism/Architecture, which runs until April 23, the duo have launched Stag - a cultural project aimed at getting people to think about the spaces in which they live and interact. To kick off the Stag initiative, the pair have released a folding stool with straps that can be worn like a backpack. Made in a limited edition of 120, it is being sold at the biennale, which is being held in Kowloon Park. 'We're giving individuals an item to use while exploring the city.It's a tool that makes a statement about the city - it gives users a way to interact. The idea came from Hong Kong's back alleys ... They're not really public spaces but they're not fully private either - they fall between the cracks,' says Wuthrich. 'The idea was to provide a fresh point of view about public space in Hong Kong. 'Public spaces in this city are often overregulated by shopping malls and the like. But there are also unique and often well-hidden spaces, recesses and backstreets that may be far away from the picture-postcard image of the skyline but are still part of Hong Kong's real identity.' The stools were created in collaboration with three local craftsmen, who, in keeping with the theme, use back alleys as workshops. Each of the stools is handmade from recycled advertising billboards. As part of the biennale, Parallel Lab is hosting a series of events, such as an architects' discussion on urban space, and casual gatherings - including a film showing on February 26 and tea ceremony on March 11 - aimed at prompting people to 'rediscover the city with another point of view', according to Wuthrich. For information on Parallel Lab and the Stag project, visit www.parallellab.com .
