The chosen object for the project:

For this project, the Choi Hung Estate was chosen to be the site of the recording of the field. We are aiming to capture a rich assortment of sounds from this location during the day and nighttime, to capture the vibrant and colorful appearance of this housing estate from a 360-degree perspective. Our project intends to provide viewers with an immersive visual and sensory experience, panoramic video, and spatial audio.

Other than that, we have discovered an interesting phenomenon in this project, which is that both day and night at Choi Hung Estate are bustling since people engage in various activities on the estate platforms. This is essential for providing a diverse range of sounds. In the morning, we collected sounds of students chatting, residents doing stretching exercises, and nearby construction noises. In the evening, the sounds we collected were people playing basketball, running sounds, and music that people were dancing to.

The basketball court at Choi Hung Estate stands out with its vibrant and colorful design, featuring a rainbow-tiled surface that adds an extra layer of visual interest. This court is not only a functional space for playing basketball but also acts as a gathering place for people of all ages and backgrounds, further contributing to the dynamic atmosphere of the estate.
By focusing on this particular object, we aim to capture the unique sounds associated with basketball games and activities taking place throughout the day and night. From the rhythmic dribbling of the basketball to the echoes of sneakers on the court, we want viewers to feel as if they are truly immersed in a game being played on this iconic and bustling court.

Incorporating the sounds and sights of the basketball court into our panoramic video and spatial audio recording will provide a heightened sense of presence and allow viewers to feel as if they are standing amid the action. This chosen object will not only add depth to the project but also serve as a visual and auditory anchor, showcasing the vibrant energy and sense of community that permeates the Choi Hung Estate.

Significance of the project:

Choi Hung Estate holds historical significance as one of the first large-scale public housing projects in Hong Kong. Constructed in the early 1960s, it aimed to provide secure housing for the influx of migrants from Mainland China following World War II. Additionally, it aimed to accommodate those residing in hazardous squatter settlements, which were prevalent at the time due to the devastating Shek Kip Mei fire in the 1950s, leaving approximately 50,000 people homeless.

During its initial years, Choi Hung Estate garnered considerable attention and praise within Hong Kong. The architectural design of the estate was highly acclaimed, winning local awards and becoming a symbol of modernity in public housing development. The estate even received visits from influential figures such as Prince Margaret of the United Kingdom and Richard Nixon, the President of the United States at the time.

However, in recent years, the estate has gained popularity for its unique and vibrant exterior, attracting both locals and tourists alike. The pastel rainbow paint that adorns the estate’s buildings has turned it into a conspicuous photographic icon, with countless pictures flooding social media platforms, particularly Instagram.

Despite its rich history, Choi Hung Estate is now facing the prospect of redevelopment, which is expected to occur in stages. The announcement regarding the work is anticipated to be made by the end of this year. This redevelopment entails significant changes and transformations for the estate, thus marking a new chapter in its existence. Because of this, we decided to use Choi Hung Estate as the topic for this time’s project, trying to preserve its uniqueness and history through video and audio.

Working process:
We use the H3 Zoom recorder to capture sounds from different areas of the estate’s platform. We also placed the 360 camera on railings and walls to facilitate shooting the entire appearance of Choi Hung Estate.

Then, we insert the 360 video and the soundtrack we recorded into the Premiere Pro for editing and audio mixing. We selected the best parts from each sound clip and integrated them to create the final visuals for the video and soundscape.