Alvin’s interdisciplinary portfolio spans across the civic, education, business, development, design and creative sectors. His specialisms range from urban regeneration and placemaking, social innovation and entrepreneurship, cultural exhibition and curatorship, to translational research and industry-academia collaboration.
Alvin is currently Adjunct Professor of Architecture, and Director of Indra and Harry Banga Gallery- the principal Art-Tech exhibition platform at City University of Hong Kong (2025- ). He previously served as Founding Director and Vice Chairman of Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2008-15). Thereafter he joined the Central Academy of Fine Arts as Adjunct Professor and Founding Vice Dean of City Design and Innovation (2016-20), while he was also Chief Editor of STEM Education and Future Schools at National Institute of Education Sciences. Lately, Alvin has been Chief Catalyst and Director of Business Development at Chinachem Group (2021-24).
Received his professional terminal degree from the Architectural Association (AA, London), he was Rome Scholar in Architecture and elected Royal Society of Arts Life Fellow. Following an early career in Europe and Canada, Alvin returned to Hong Kong and pioneered serial regeneration projects, notably Hong Kong Trams (2013-21), Tai Kwun (2007-11), PMQ (2009-14), Wan Chai Blue House (2010-11), Oil Street Art Space (2013-22), Kowloon East (2012-15), West Kowloon (2009-10), and Central Market (2019-22).
Representing Hong Kong regularly in knowledge and cultural exchange, Alvin was Chief Curator for the debut of Hong Kong pavilion in Venice Biennale (2006 and 14); Return of Hong Kong in Paris Fashion Week (2013-19); Youth festival DETOUR (2009-14) and HKDX (2010,11,18) in Tokyo and Berlin; Asian social innovators assembly 10DAYFEST (2013-15). His exhibitions and workshop programmes were delivered in Barcelona, Helsinki, Istanbul, Bilbao, Moscow, Cologne, New York, Bangkok, Melbourne, Seoul, Taipei, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and other cities. His keynotes were presented at China National Development and Reform Commission (Beijing), Royal College of Art (London), British Museum (London), TED, Seoul Design Foundation, ONE Foundation (Shenzhen), and many universities.
Being an active advocate for design and creativity at large, Alvin was appointed board/ committee/ adjudicator/ expert advisor for Hong Kong's Harbourfront Commission, Construction Industry Council, Zero Carbon Park, Highways Department, Government Museums, Federation of Design Associations, Ambassadors of Design, Architecture Centre, Council of Social Service, HSBC Social Entrepreneurship Centre and various NGOs. Regionally, he has been advisor to Urbanism\Architecture Bi-City Biennale (UABB), China National Architecture Award, MUSCON, WHO West-Pacific Region and UNESCO.
Alvin was a winner of Hong Kong Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award, HKIA (Hong Kong Institute of Architects) Award, SOPA (The Society of Publishers in Asia) Award, Forbes China Designer Award, Japan Good Design Award, Design for Asia Award, and received Commendation for Community Service on HKSAR Honours List.