Enoch Hui's Causeway Education Centre: A Minimalist Approach to Learning Spaces

Reimagining Traditional Learning Centres with a Cosy, Relaxing Design

The Causeway Education Centre, spanning approximately 4000 sq.ft., was designed with budget constraints in mind. Enoch Hui and his team adopted a minimalist design approach, focusing on one or two focal points to draw students' attention. The school's corporate color, blue, is subtly incorporated into the design details, while the overall space is dominated by white and light wood veneer, creating a cosy atmosphere.

Unlike traditional learning centres in Hong Kong, which are often commercialized and heavily decorated with posters and graphics, the Causeway Education Centre offers a more relaxed environment. The client's expectation for a cosy and relaxed space was met with a design that incorporates blue powder-coated metals, light oak wood, and light grey vinyl flooring. The use of the institute's corporate color scheme in all details, along with the warm touch of light wooden material, creates a young and relaxed ambiance.

The design team faced the challenge of a limited project timeframe. To overcome this, they created a module steel framework partition for all classrooms to shorten the on-site construction time. Part of the existing false ceiling panels was also maintained to save budget and time. The result is a series of classrooms, each named after eminent persons such as Einstein, Newton, and Aristotle, visible from the corridor through the glass partition with blue metal frameworks.

The first experience upon entering the space is crucial. A large space was allocated for the reception, waiting area, and tuck shop, allowing students to hang out before or after class. A long study table is also located at the waiting area for homework or internet surfing. Lockers designed with the corporate colour scheme of blue, wood, black, and white are located along the corridor for students' use.

The Causeway Education Centre project started in April 2017 in Hong Kong and was completed in June 2017. It was awarded Silver in A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2018, a testament to its outstanding expertise and innovation. The design, admired for its strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill, introduces a new definition of professionalism in teaching in Hong Kong.