Established in 2016, aona architects is an architectural practice and conservation consultancy led by Charles Lai and Ricky Suen. The practice seeks to challenge conventional approaches to architectural design by paying attention to history and historicity, material and materiality, as well as details and tectonics. The practice places its focus on research, curatorial, exhibition design, installation design, and heritage consultancy services.
Charles Lai Chun Wai | 黎雋維, PhD
DIRECTOR
ARCHITECT & ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN
Charles Lai is an architect (RIBA) and researcher in the history and conservation of Hong Kong and Asian modern architecture. He received his PhD degree in architectural history from the University of Hong Kong Department of Architecture, and diploma degree from the AA School of Architecture in London. He currently teaches at the PolyU and the Lingnan University. Charles is also a member of the DOCOMOMO HK Chapter. Charles is founder and director of the architectural studio & heritage conservation consultancy, aona, and co-founder of a digital marketing and experience curatorial company Culture Lab. and focuses primarily on design, heritage conservation, research and curatorial works related to built heritage and architectural history. Charles also writes regularly for academic journals and columns. His research interests include the history of modern architecture in East and Southeast Asia, the material culture and history of Shanghai plaster, as well as the conservation of historical built heritages.