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When three secondary school students looked at Hong Kong’s towering skyscrapers, they saw a chance to design a more organic way of life.
Aaravee Rajya Laxmi Rana, Kaitlynn Ng Hei-tung and Kally Yu Ying-tong have imagined how traditional Chinese homes, called tulou, could be part of high-rise homes. Their design mixes family life, farming and green technology.
The three Form Two students from St Francis’ Canossian College called this project “Farming in a Building”. They created it as a solution to a version of Earth that might not have land left.
Their idea beat 800 peers from across the Greater Bay Area to win the Best Presentation award at World Reimagined, a STEAM competition for public speaking.
Student-led event empowers Hong Kong, Macau girls to break the code in STEM
Guided by the past and future
Their journey began when a teacher invited them to join the competition. The prompt focused on solutions for limited living space.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing. Kally and Kaitlynn battled with anxiety. Still, they worked late into the evenings. They even asked Aaravee’s younger sister to act as a judge and quiz them.
When they heard that they had won the award, they were excited.
“I felt useful ... I actually did something,” 14-year-old Aaravee said.
What made their idea stand out? A clever mix of the past and the future.
At first, the girls considered using igloos, a type of snow house, for their project. However, their brainstorming eventually led to the popular Disney film Mulan. The cartoon shows the Fujian tulou, traditional Chinese circular homes featuring central courtyards.
“I thought it looked interesting and recommended it,” Aaravee said.
The design of the tulou emphasises community and shared spaces. The students pointed out that this structure helps people learn from the past without being limited by it.
Practical and sustainable
The girls designed a tulou-like structure that looks like stacked doughnuts. They also added vertical farms in the centre of the building.
To make it carbon-neutral, the building would be made from natural and biodegradable materials. These include clay, stone, bamboo and wood, which will help to reduce pollution.
“Clay can spread the energy of an earthquake to the sides away from the building. For floods, we will have an automatic roof that will close when a heavy rainfall alert is sent,” Aaravee said.
The structure also uses solar panels to power the farm’s water sprinklers and sensors.
Aaravee dreams of one day living in her team’s creation. The design aims to provide an affordable and sustainable living space. Its open courtyard also creates a sense of community.
The teens hope this concept will inspire people to consider sustainable options for modern housing.
To test your understanding of this story, download our printable worksheet or answer the questions in the quiz below.
