Can design act as a way of intervening in perception, awakening a deeper spiritual connection between humans and the material world?
When design condenses grand urban landscapes into subtle yet profound physical experiences, objects transcend their mere utility to become vessels of emotion, social consciousness, and living witnesses of daily life. Moderated by Charon Long, co-host of “ArchiPodcastHK”—a Hong Kong podcast exploring architecture and design — this cross-disciplinary dialogue brings together deTour 2026 co-creators Chaklam Ng (“Sip of Zen”) and Jive Lau @Kowloneon (“Plasma Organism”).
Drawing from space, craft, and physical experience, both creators share how they use experimental materials and sensory design to distill a moment of singing-bowl focus amidst the clamour of daily toasts, or condense the radiant memories of the entire city into a micro-warmth close to the skin. Join us for a quest into how the next generation of creators is reimagining the relationship between people and objects, witnessing how design infuses human warmth into a cold physical world.
Co-host of “ArchiPodcastHK” and author of “Urban Ugliness Uncovered”. Charon is a slasher who keeps trying to cross different disciplines, such as video production, staged performance and art pieces. To explore the roles and possibilities of architecture, he volunteered at the Japan Art Festival, joined an architectural design team as voluntary member, and also worked for community organizations. Through actively cooperate with all walks of life to promote creativity and explore the value and application of research and discussion as a design method.
Chaklam Ng is a Hong Kong-based sound artist, musical instrument designer, and founder of Oblik Soundwork. His practice interrogates the phenomenology of sound-making, investigating the nature of intention through site-responsive sound installations and custom-invented instruments.
Rooted in communication design, his work is driven by the philosophy “Sound Unfollows Function”. Operating at the intersection of observation and accident, Ng designs interfaces where physical form deliberately resists utility. Following over a decade of exploring conventional instruments, he established a central premise: profound sound emerges when an instrument resists the player, revealing organic harmony through friction and confrontation. Defined by minimalist, polished stainless steel and glass, his sculptural installations maintain a spatial calm that foregrounds the auditory experience.
Ng’s interactive works frequently adapt mechanics from sports and games, transforming familiar physical gestures into unpredictable sonic landscapes. By dissolving the expected feedback loop between human movement and sound, his installations embrace what he terms "beautiful accidents", inviting audiences to shift from passive hearing to active listening.
Selected exhibitions and performances include Shadow Work at Art Central (2026), The Club at Unfold X 2025 (South Korea), deTour 2024, Design Trust Futures Festival 2025, Art.Techs 2022, and PRP 2.0 at Clockenflap 2023. His work has been featured in international media, including Designboom, Dezeen, and NME.
Jive Lau is a neon artist and researcher dedicated to studying and promoting Hong Kong’s traditional neon craftsmanship. After spending extensive time learning from veteran local masters, he also traveled to the United States to exchange knowledge with international neon organisations and practitioners. Through his creative practice, Lau elevates neon from a commercial signage medium into an expressive art form rich in cultural value.
He has collaborated with various local and international art institutions, museums, and cultural organisations to curate and participate in neon-focused exhibitions. With broad experience in curation and public education, Lau actively fosters public awareness of the craft and its cultural heritage through exhibitions, talks, and workshops.
Alongside his research and artistic practice, Lau collaborates with brands and commercial partners to design and fabricate custom neon signs and installations, ensuring the craft remains a vibrant, active element within the contemporary urban landscape.