Tao Ho (17 July 1936 – 29 March 2019) was a Hong Kong architect best known for designing the Bauhinia emblem on the flag of Hong Kong.
Background
Born in Shanghai in 1936 to Ping Yin Ho and Chin Hwa, Ho grew up with elder brother Chien and younger sister Diana. He graduated from Pui Ching Middle School and went on to receive a BA in art history with a minor in music and theology at Williams College in Massachusetts. Then, he studied for his MArch at Harvard's Graduate School of Design under the tutelage of Josep Lluís Sert, Sigfried Giedion, and Walter Gropius, the latter of whom hired Ho upon graduation as his personal assistant at The Architects Collaborative. As president, he criticised the proposed controversial design for the new Hong Kong Central Library. This was controversial because the HKIA code of conduct stated that members should not criticise other members' work unless they inform that party in advance. Ho responded that absent criticism, architects may suffer from "narcissism".
Designs
Ho designed the Hong Kong Arts Centre in 1977. A hanging piece created by Ho, entitled "Synergy of Dynamic Energy," is installed in the West Hall of the Hong Kong International Airport passenger terminal.
Ho designed the Bauhinia emblem on the flag of Hong Kong.
Awards
In February 1997, Ho was awarded the Crystal Award by the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, honoring him as a leading international artist and architect and for his contribution to bridging the cultures of the East and the West.
Personal life
Ho was debilitated by a stroke in April 2002
Ho died from pneumonia on 29 March 2019 at age 82, three days after being admitted to Ruttonjee Hospital.
Projects
- Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong, 1977
- Office and ticket branch interior, Japan Air Lines Office, Central, Hong Kong, 1980
- Pacific Centre, Central, 1990
- China Construction Bank Headquarters, Beijing, 1997
- Everbright Centre. Shanghai, 1999
- Wing Kwong Pentecostal Holiness Church. Lok Fu, Hong Kong, 2000
Gallery
<gallery>
File:Hong_Kong_Arts_Centre.jpg|Hong Kong Arts Centre
File:Flag_of_Hong_Kong.svg|Flag of Hong Kong SAR
File:Regional_Emblem_of_Hong_Kong.svg|Emblem of Hong Kong SAR
</gallery>