Wai Lok Chong

Wai’s journey at Ravensbourne University London has been one of discovery. She uncovered a deep passion for architecture as a medium of connection—between people, stories, and the spaces they inhabit. More than simply shaping buildings, she sees design as a way to craft experiences that resonate on a human level and leave lasting impressions.

Her creative process is grounded in physical making. Collage and hands-on model building allow her to experiment intuitively—layering textures, forms, and spatial ideas to develop rich, emotionally engaging concepts. These tactile methods are not only explorative but essential in translating abstract thinking into real, spatial solutions. Through making, she forms a dialogue between concept and material, constantly refining her ideas and design language.

Coming from an art-based background, Erica has a strong foundation in creative expression, visual storytelling, and material experimentation. Through her time at university, her understanding of design has evolved—shifting from individual interpretation to a more thoughtful awareness of space, people, and purpose. She now approaches each project as an opportunity to research, test, and communicate ideas in ways that speak to both function and feeling.

Her perspective has matured into one that embraces process as a powerful design tool. For Erica, developing ideas is not just about generating solutions—it’s about exploring possibilities, building narratives, and creating environments that connect with people on both emotional and spatial levels.

This mindset continues to shape her journey, inspiring her to keep designing with empathy, intention, and joy.

Open Roof Bathing Area, Interior View – This project proposes a communal bathhouse in Kazirgan, Bangladesh, designed to reconnect the village with its local water body while addressing social and environmental needs. In this rural context, women often bathe together, using the activity as a time for conversation and connection. However, current conditions lack shelter, privacy, and comfort, leaving users exposed to the elements. The design introduces a sequence of inviting pathways and thresholds that gently guide users into private and semi-public spaces, fostering a sense of ease and belonging. Local materials and traditional construction methods are used to ensure the building blends naturally with its surroundings, while promoting sustainable practices. More than a place for hygiene, the bathhouse serves as a social and cultural hub—encouraging interaction, strengthening community ties, and supporting environmental stewardship. It becomes a space that respects tradition while offering dignity, comfort, and care.

Bathhouse Interior Space

Bathhouse Interior Model (1:75)

Rehabilitation and Re-use – This project reimagines an existing structure as the new headquarters for a creative company, using architectural rehabilitation to create a stronger connection between the building and its users. The design brings new life to the site by incorporating existing materials and outdoor elements into the interior experience—honoring the past while creating a contemporary, user-focused environment. A key feature of the intervention is the integration of a weathered exterior brick wall, once part of a disused courtyard, into the heart of the new interior. This reclaimed wall becomes a tactile backdrop in the communal pantry and break area, allowing office workers to feel the texture of the past while enjoying direct access to sunlight and fresh air.

Office Pantry Space, Model 1:100 – The model explores how openness, daylight, and moments of informal interaction can transform a once-isolated outdoor brick wall into a central, sunlit pantry space—blurring the boundary between inside and out while fostering comfort and connection among office users