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Founded in 2013, HKDI DESIS Lab (Design Lab for Social Innovation and Sustainability) is a multidisciplinary research group proposing sustainable solutions in the design field. Its three-year programme, Jockey Club "Tree Upcycling" Youth Co-creation Project ("Tree Project"), brings the vision of local log upcycling to reality. It encourages young people to learn about local trees, integrate social innovative design and craftsmanship, regenerate local tree resources, and promote the social concept of "harmony between human and tree".

Tree Project breaks down the popular term "upcycling" into actions that can be accomplished by professionals and laymen. It brings together active community engagements and strong emphasis on design and craftsmanship in order to achieve the shared goal of building a sustainable future together. The first edition of the project runs from 2022 to 2023, with a series of three programmes in total. Echoing the upcycling theme, the project itself is also a recurring act, with a new round of project taking place every year until 2024.

Throughout the one-year journey, Tree Project prepares various educational sessions and community engagements by integrating a range of workshops, field trips, exhibitions, sharing sessions and seminars. For example, a log upcycling project named "Wish Wood Scheme" encouraged both primary and secondary students to design attractive upcycled products made of recycled wood using their own creativity. They could learn more about local log upcycling through a fun and creative design process. Raising awareness of the ecosystem in Hong Kong and wood waste reuse are messages Tree Project wishes to deliver to the public especially to the youth. What might not be aware of is the abundance of natural heritage and precious plant species available locally. In order to let participants learn through first-hand experience, Tree Project plans to take them on field trips across Northern District, including the Chi Kee Sawmill & Timber and North District Park guided by Health and Life Sciences students. Participants also have chances to go on field trips at log warehouses to learn about the local upcycling industry and the importance of preserving trees.

Tree Project also offers workshops for youth at both introductory and advanced level where upcycling design method and environmental-friendly design thinking are introduced through hands on experiments and creations. Participants are guided by local professional carpenters to use upcycled wood products to realise designs they came up with. Upcycled objects require a prolonged period to create, from the meticulous processes during recycling to repurpose, design and production. All these efforts are only worthwhile with a purpose. The programme has been postponed due to COVID and is planned to be resumed in July 2022 in the form of online or hybrid mode.

As one of the very first project targeting log upcycling in such depth, the meaningful programme will end with public exhibitions and sharing sessions. Audience can expect to see exceptionally creative pieces made by upcycled wood products, get inspired by the experience sharing from participants along the journey and witness how the programme spreads knowledge, raises awareness and benefits those in need in society.