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Supported by The Chinese University of Hong Kong’s (CUHK) School of Architecture, the exhibition “UniverSeedity – The Lightweight Works from Professor Zhu Jingxiang and His Research Mates” is taking place until 6 October 2025 at the Hong Kong Arts Centre. The exhibition features more than 20 works by Professor Zhu Jingxiang and nine of his research partners, ranging in purpose from educational buildings to public facilities and rural venues from around the world, showcasing the unique qualities and diverse potential of lightweight architecture and providing an overview of the team’s outstanding achievements in this field.

Professor Zhu has extensive experience in lightweight construction, having dedicated years of research to it. The building systems he and his research team have developed, which integrate innovative structural design with new materials, offer advantages not seen in traditional construction. These systems are lightweight, effectively reducing foundation stress; they are easily transported and can be assembled and constructed in a short period; they are cost-effective, meeting user needs with minimal investment; and they can be disassembled, meaning they offer excellent environmental performance, aligning with demands for sustainability. Inclusive decision-making and appropriate integration of various technologies help reduce the cost of trial and error, avoiding unnecessary waste in the early stages of development.

In the context of urban renewal, lightweight construction can be added to or wrapped around existing buildings, eliminating the need for large-scale demolition and reconstruction. This approach reduces resource waste while enabling cost-effective spatial expansion, functional upgrades and value preservation. Furthermore, Hong Kong boasts a vibrant commercial landscape and economy. Lightweight construction, which is recyclable and reusable, can rapidly meet development and construction needs.

Professor Zhu said: “The 2025 Policy Address clearly states that the Northern Metropolis should adopt superior construction methods from different places to lower project costs and shorten construction periods. Lightweight architecture offers a way to overcome the limitations of traditional mechanisms, while enhancing resilience against risks and challenges.”

A lightweight transitional school building withstood Super Typhoon Mangkhut

The works featured in this exhibition each showcase distinctive quality, reflecting a design philosophy that balances innovation with practicality. For example, Shenzhen once faced significant pressure in providing sufficient school places, prompting the urgent construction of transitional school buildings. In response, the team created the pioneering Shenzhen Meili Primary School Transitional/Agile Campus prototype. Measuring nearly 6,000 square metres, the campus is able to accommodate 32 standard classes. It was built using a platform frame construction system and was completed and delivered in just five months. It is also environmentally friendly with a component reuse rate of 95%. The building’s weight per square metre is only 30% of that of traditional school buildings, yet it withstood the impact of Super Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018. By adjusting the wall panels, partitions and furniture, the space can be flexibly converted to meet different functional needs. The team not only helped Shenzhen open the door to a new lightweight campus model but also successively led the construction of four agile campuses in Luohu District and Longhua District.

Lightweight architecture supports rapid post-disaster reconstruction and addresses social needs

During post-disaster reconstruction efforts in Wenchuan, Sichuan and Yushu, Qinghai, the team was tasked with deploying lightweight construction technologies and agile development. Within just a few weeks to months, they built several high-quality primary schools from the ruins, helping countless children return to the classroom. At the same time, the rebuilt workstation in three nature reserves safeguarded local ecological research and conservation efforts.

In addition, a chequered playroom designed for a rural area in northern China cleverly combines indoor play area with lightweight structures, creating unique play spaces for teachers and students. This not only addressed the lack of permanent facilities faced by some charitable organisations but also created unique learning and recreational spaces for teachers and students. To date, nearly 200 such playrooms have been successfully built. Another example is a sports hotel designed for a remote island in the Philippines, effortlessly blending into a tropical beachfront coconut grove without cutting down any existing trees. This reflects how lightweight architecture can be applied in both rural and urban settings, demonstrating its remarkable adaptability in addressing social needs.

Inspiring future urban construction and Northern Metropolis development

The exhibition also prompts reflection on the future of technology and art. As an innovative educational concept, lightweight architecture is like a seed, offering inspiration to fields such as STEM education, artistic practice and youth entrepreneurship. The integration of lightweight architecture with green and liveable cities can enhance the ecological quality of the surrounding environment, injecting vitality into the architectural landscape of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

Lightweight construction holds significance for Hong Kong and the broader Greater Bay Area’s future development. In Hong Kong, where land resources are scarce and urban development is challenged by  high land costs, slow operation and lengthy development cycles. Lightweight construction offers a novel approach to addressing these challenges.

UniverSeedity – The Lightweight Works from Professor Zhu Jingxiang and His Research Mates