Project Plum Grove revitalizes Mui Tsz Lam, a remote 360-year-old Hakka village, through experimental restorations with participatory co-creation. After studying the village’s cultural landscape of rowhouses, feng shui woods, paddy terraces, we revived two ruined houses at either end of the village, conserving past heritage and exploring rural living for the village’s future flourishing. Old House: originally a 3-bay dwelling with lightwell; Mural House: a single-bay rowhouse.



Three design principles were used: 1) In-situ: excavate artefacts, reuse materials, rammed earth reconstruction, 2) Light-touch interventions: scaffolding and timber-bamboo panelling, 3) Co-creating participatory revitalisation. Over two years, we engaged over 15 returning villagers, 80 students, 120 volunteers and professionals: co-designing, experiential learning, on-site making, a 200-people festival and continuing operation. With Phase 2 restorations underway, more villagers and NGOs joining in, the project regenerates Place by reconnecting People via a collaborative Process, demonstrating a sustainable model for rural revitalisation in Hong Kong.