Cover A self-proclaimed optimist, William Lim sees Hong Kong as a city of opportunities (Photo: Affa Chan / Tatler Hong Kong)
A self-proclaimed optimist, William Lim sees Hong Kong as a city of opportunities (Photo: Affa Chan / Tatler Hong Kong)
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The managing director of CL3 explains why he is still in love with the city he calls home
William Lim is a man who needs little introduction in Hong Kong’s art and design circles. The Hong Kong-born architect, artist and collector is regularly spotted frequenting exhibitions and speaking on panel discussions, and is photographed at the city’s most coveted cultural events—always with a warm, friendly, infectious energy. Dialling in while on holiday in Thailand, he talks about his never-ending infatuation with Hong Kong and how even in his 60s, the city continues to inspire him.
Discovering his interest in arts at an early age, he recalls drawing and painting often. “This was really my first passion,” he says. Though he continued to paint, encouraged by his father, he pursued architecture professionally. “From early on, Hong Kong was an international city. A lot of infrastructure started to happen here when I was growing up.”
Above (Video: Kevin Cheung / Tatler Hong Kong)
Recalling family holidays to various countries across Asia, he says, “Hong Kong’s location made travelling easy. My parents would take us to Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan, and within these environments there was a lot of visual stimulation. I soon realised that architecture is a profession that could take me to work in different cities around the world, and that was something that really inspired me.”
Five years after returning from studying architecture at Cornell University in the US, Lim founded his architectural practice CL3. With an extensive portfolio spanning corporate, hospitality, residential and artistic projects, CL3 has grown into a sizeable company with studios in Hong Kong and Beijing. Under his belt are numerous prestigious projects, including the Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel in Tokyo and Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands.
William Lim (Photo: Affa Chan / Tatler Hong Kong)
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Lim names H Queen’s as one of his most notable projects to date. Located in Central, Hong Kong, the innovative, mixed-use building houses art galleries, restaurants and retail outlets, merging his two greatest loves: art and architecture. “Recently I had an exhibition at H Queen’s, which brought my real passion for being an artist back into the picture. It was an interesting overlap with another chapter of my life,” he says.
The father of two and influential art collector—who, together with his wife Lavina, holds one of the most important collections of Hong Kong art—has also made his mark as an artist. He sees his paintings like a diary, a practice that grew during Covid-19. “I think this is really what makes Hong Kong so interesting: the messiness and the unexpected things that happen at every moment. Recently, I have begun to explore Hong Kong and experience it through a lens I never had before, and it’s wonderful.” Now he paints every day, even taking materials with him on his travels. For the first time, in March 2023, Lim will be exhibiting at Art Basel Hong Kong, adding another achievement as an artist. “It’s a dream come true to have my art and architecture come together,” he says.
A self-proclaimed optimist, he sees Hong Kong as a city of opportunities. “I think living here, it’s easy to take things for granted, but for endless opportunities for collaborations and for inspiration, you need to look no further than just here at home.”
Credits
Videography: Kevin Cheung
Photography: Affa Chan
Grooming: Gloomy Kwok & Karen Yiu
Location: CL3 Architects Limited, William’s studio
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