Review: Building M+

In the early 1990s, architect Tao Ho - best known for his innovative design of the Hong Kong Arts Centre - had an office in Kowloon Tong made from 24 shipping containers.

This contravened building codes, not to mention lease and land use conditions of the site.

But the modular form of the office resembled the vernacular buildings of Hong Kong's last major squatter area in Diamond Hill.

Letters shown in this exhibition between the Buildings Department and Tao Ho about the removal of his "illegal" office echo correspondence that a generation of residents experienced after improving their own tight living conditions. They did so by constructing illegal balconies, rooftop structures and expanding onto public space.

It is the exploration of stories associated with Hong Kong's built and urban forms that makes this exhibition so engaging. The models, drawings and photographs of the future M+ building are exciting. And this inaugural exhibition and education area for students is an excellent introduction to the topic.