HKHS Exhibition Centre: Immersive Design for Community Trust

Innovative multimedia experiences foster connection and confidence in public housing.

Reopened in March 2024, the HKHS Exhibition Centre stands as a testament to the Hong Kong Housing Society’s (HKHS) enduring commitment to the city’s families. The Centre’s compact 200-square-meter space is transformed into a dynamic environment, where visitors are invited to explore the organization’s 70-year legacy and ongoing dedication to reliable housing solutions. This approach is particularly significant in a city where families may wait up to five years for public rental housing, making the Centre’s message both timely and impactful.

Central to the exhibition’s uniqueness is its seamless integration of advanced technology with tactile, human-centered experiences. Highlights include an interactive kiosk operated by a vintage telephone, a 270-degree LED dome offering 360-degree VR experiences, and 3D naked-eye animations. These features are complemented by digital twins and real-time polling, ensuring that visitors not only receive information but also actively participate in shaping their understanding of HKHS’s mission.

The exhibition is thoughtfully divided into three thematic zones: ‘Creating Homes for the Community,’ ‘The Housing Ladder,’ and ‘Creating Homes for Sustainable Living.’ Each zone combines physical boards, digital screens, and interactive games, arranged in a circular flow that encourages exploration and engagement. The centerpiece—a tree that visitors can irrigate—serves as a powerful symbol of the connection between citizens and housing policy, reinforcing the Centre’s people-focused ethos.

Design challenges were met with inventive solutions. The acute-angled layout and low ceiling clearance required creative spatial planning, leading to the innovative placement of the VR dome within a triangular area. This design not only maximized the use of limited space but also addressed post-pandemic preferences by eliminating the need for shared VR goggles. Extensive research guided the Centre’s development, revealing a preference for less text and more interactive, humanized features, which shaped both content and communication strategies.

Recognized with a Bronze A' Design Award in 2025, the HKHS Exhibition Centre exemplifies the fusion of art, technology, and community engagement. By inviting visitors to interact with history and envision the future, the Centre inspires trust and hope—qualities essential for the ongoing progress of Hong Kong’s public housing landscape.

The HKHS Exhibition Centre sets a new standard for public engagement in housing, blending innovation with empathy to create lasting connections between citizens and their built environment.