Ida and Billy talk at Ramp
Two internationally renowned architects spoke at Ramp Festival this year.
Internationally acknowledged Hong Kong-based architects Ida and Billy used the design of an underground public toilet as one example of their innovative work during their first presentation at the Ramp Festival.
Billy said the Taikoo Hui SD washroom was among the most popular designs in their work.
The multi-award winning space is often visited by people who just wish to experience the space and photograph the design.
Conceived of as a bright grotto – a contemporary abstraction of nature – the washroom was designed to refresh shoppers.
The design aims to tie back to nature, formally as well as environmentally. Sustainability, spatial sculpting and human comfort drive the whole design.
“We thought that the washroom was a part of the public space, and that washrooms are a main place in the pubic spaces,” Ida said.
“Some people go there not for the toilet but for taking pictures,” Billy said.
Billy said one of their design principles was that they do reduction more than addition, “so we are always taking out what is not necessary.”
Ida said the most difficult part of their practice was never about the design but rather handling the client and communicating with the contractor.
“Of course we have to struggle, we have to try different possibiliies, which takes a long time,” Ida said.
She said architecture is always teamwork, meaning collaboration between the client, contractors, and architects architects, who should all have the same goal.
Their studio called Ida & Billy Architects, was established in 2013.
