Tao Ho papers 何弢書信文件

Collection

Identifier: HK CVU 0074/PER/TaoHo

Staff Only

Consists chiefly of slides and photographs collected by Tao Ho during his architect's career. Also includes his manuscripts, correspondence, newspaper clippings and objects, etc.

Dates

1971, 1977, 1979-2002, 2013, undated

Creator

Ho, Tao, 1936-2019 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Access to materials is restricted by legal requirements, written agreements with the donor(s) and policies of the Chinese University of Hong Kong Library. Users/researchers are required to sign an application form to use the collection. Records containing personal data which might constitute intrusion of privacy are not available for access.

We made our best effort to protect personal data and copyrighted materials during archival descriptive process by marking:

1) Note 1: to indicate materials contain personal data or sensitive information; access restricted

2) Note 2: to indicate copyright restrictions may apply

If you have any questions or concerns on personal data and copyrighted materials of this collection, please email us and we ensure that we would response to your written request accordingly within a reasonable time period

Conditions Governing Use

The copyright on some materials in the collection may be held by the creators, donors or any other persons. Users/researchers must obtain written permissions from the copyright holder(s) and the Librarian prior to publishing or reproducing any material in this collection.

Photocopying requests must be made to CUHK Library staff in writing for approval by the Librarian. It must be noted that provision of photocopies does not constitute permission to reproduce, publish, or circulate these materials in any formats.

Archival records may contain materials with personal, sensitive or confidential information that is protected under privacy law. Users/researchers are advised that the disclosure or use of certain information pertaining to identifiable individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals or concerned parties may have legal ramifications for which The Chinese University of Hong Kong assumes no responsibility.

Extent

18.00 linear Feet

Additional Description

Biographical / Historical

Tao Ho (1936–2019) was born in Shanghai and moved to Hong Kong with his parents in 1949. From 1950 to 1956, he attended Pui Ching Middle School in Hong Kong. He earned his first degree in Art History with a minor in Music and Theology at Williams College in Massachusetts, and later received a Master of Architecture from Harvard University in 1964.

He worked as a personal assistant to Walter Gropius and Sigfried Giedion before returning to Hong Kong in late 1964. As a lecturer at The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1965, Tao Ho was the first to introduce Bauhaus "Basic Design" courses to the city. In 1968, TAOHO Design practice was established, combining architecture, urban design, interior and graphic design. In 1984, he co-founded Great Earth Architects and Engineers International (大地建築務所（國際）) in Beijing. Subsequently, in 1996, he became the first chairman of the Hong Kong Intellectual Property Society, and from 1997 to 1998, he served as the president of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects. He was a polymath who engaged in a wide array of cultural endeavors from urban planning, architectural design, and graphic design, to painting, sculpture, Eastern and Western philosophy and cosmic science. In the 1990s, he was one of the four regular hosts of “Free As The Wind” (講東講西), discussing his views on cultural and social issues. Tao Ho was also best known for designing the bauhinia emblem on the flag of the HKSAR.

He received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (LHD) from Williams College in 1979 in recognition of his energetic efforts to promote cultural activities in Hong Kong. In 1996, he was awarded the Bicentennial Medal For Career Distinction from Williams College. In 1997, he was awarded the Crystal Award from the World Economic Forum. Tao Ho had been debilitated since a stroke in April 2002. He passed away on 29 March 2019 in Hong Kong.