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Timeless, ambitious art always transcends the present and points the way to the future. The Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) recently invited renowned Italian architect Michele De Lucchi to deliver a lecture titled "The Equation". In his talk, De Lucchi shared his major architectural works and outlined his vision of integrating architecture with immersive environmental art installations. Central to De Lucchi's vision is a humanistic approach to unite communities with nature. Like all true visionaries, De Lucchi opened minds to the limitless possibilities of art through his talk.

Michele De Lucchi's lecture "The Equation" revolved around a central creative formula: "Art/Architecture = Environmental Installations (quotient)". He emphasised the importance of integrating the functional aspect of architecture with nature, technology, social context and heritage. His approach to architecture is aimed at balancing human needs and nature.

During the lecture, De Lucchi engaged in a thematic discussion with Steve Leung, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Hong Kong Design Centre; Alice Fratarcangeli, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Hong Kong; and Dr Lay-lian Ong, Principal at the HKDI. The panel discussed how to put De Lucchi's creative philosophy into educational practice, inspiring the next generation of designers to think boldly about how humans relate to architecture.

The day after the public lecture, we had the exclusive opportunity to interview De Lucchi. He elaborated on his sustainable development and shared his perspective on the design approaches practiced by the new generation of architects. His lecture and our interview set a benchmark for thought leadership in Hong Kong's design community and the industry worldwide. De Lucchi redefined the relationship between architecture, art and the environment and outlined the potential future contours of the architectural field.

Architecture as drama

"Life is like a drama and we are all actors. Everything we do is part of this marvellous performance. This reflects the Italian approach to life—one that is inherently dramatic," says De Lucchi. With a long career spanning design and architecture, he likened his journey to a theatrical performance, emphasising his ongoing attempts to balance his personal preferences with social benefit.

Every individual's action has an impact on society. As community planners, architects make decisions with significant implications for all. He stressed the importance of integrating public needs with avant-garde design elements in harmonious, natural and enriching ways. "We are both individuals and part of the larger society. While we often prioritise our actions, they inevitably affect society and influence others differently." De Lucchi says.

De Lucchi notes that architects juggle two competing roles — maintaining a unique artistic identity and shaping community character. When designing a space, he is acutely aware that his work serves personal and public purposes, bringing his imagination to the broader community.

In his ongoing theme of exploring the potential to merge nature, technology and society, De Lucchi cites the Novartis Pavilion at the 2015 Milan Expo as an example that perfectly embodies these aspects. Inspired by the Earth's crust's dynamics, the pavilion featured a fully recyclable galvanised steel structure, tangibly connecting human and natural environments in form and material.

When asked if he had finally found the perfect stage for his vision and designs, De Lucchi replied, "We are always searching for the best stage — one where we can truly feel like the protagonists of our own lives."

An architectural designer's journey is long and ever-changing. De Lucchi's constant innovation and adaptability inspire the new generation of designers.

Building bridges step by step

Starting a career is never easy, especially as an architect. De Lucchi's early years were especially crucial, during which he struggled with the architect's role and how to contribute meaningfully to modern life. Over time, he realised that designers and architects are responsible for making human living environments more humane. With scientific research demonstrating the positive effects of nature on human minds and bodies, creating naturalistic living environments became De Lucchi's passion.

Talking about his time in Milan during his formative years as an architect, De Lucchi says, "When working in Milan, I was fortunate to collaborate with some of the city's most influential architectural masters, which helped me realise that to contribute and become a bridge, one must first understand and know oneself."

Continuing his search for inspiration and groundbreaking designs, De Lucchi renamed his studio AMDL Circle and invited experts from diverse fields, including chemistry, sociology and medicine, to collaborate. This multidisciplinary approach inspired him to explore new ways of integrating architecture and nature. To facilitate different modes of working and thinking, De Lucchi divided his office into private and open spaces to work alone or with colleagues and friends. This flexible set-up allowed him to implement his vision of balancing environmental design with personal creativity.

Navigating the perils and promises of the information age

De Lucchi has masterminded innovative architectural designs and taught as a professor at prestigious institutions such as Harvard University. He wishes to pass on his experiences and insights to the next generation of architects and designers.

De Lucchi understands the challenges of navigating the information age. Knowledge is readily accessible, making it crucial to filter and use information correctly. With the rapid development and dissemination of artificial intelligence (AI), architects now have a powerful tool to help inspire them and solve manual and design problems.

However, De Lucchi acknowledges AI's perceived challenges to artists, but he also firmly believes in the unique genius of collective human intelligence, which no machine could ever match. "Humans possess minds and brains that computers lack. By connecting all human brains, we can create something more wonderful and powerful than any computer. After all, AI's knowledge is stored in computers. Still, the potential of the human brain remains largely untapped, which makes it so fascinating and beautiful."

Reflecting on his extensive architectural experience, De Lucchi advises the new generation of designers and architects to embrace technology and open themselves to limitless possibilities. "People often try to simplify reality and eliminate diversity, but that is a mistake." He hopes everyone maintains an open attitude to new ideas and approaches to architecture, "The best advice is to accept the world's diversity and find joy in it. After all, the world is rich and colourful, and we have countless ways to face reality and the different characteristics of people. Only by embracing diversity can we build dreams for the future."