The back alleys of the industrial area in Kwun Tong were originally designated as “Scavenging lanes” during the early stages of urban planning. These spaces served functional purposes, such as housing unsightly factory pipes, transporting industrial waste, and providing fire escape routes. Today, however, these alleys accommodate more than just “scavengers.” Blue-collar and white-collar workers, couriers, and smokers all pass through or linger in these spaces as part of their daily routines.

Hidden between industrial buildings, these transitional zones are often overlooked by the general public due to their harsh and chaotic environment. Yet, it is precisely this sense of concealment that allows them to accommodate diverse modes of existence, challenging conventional perceptions of space and identity. Should these “non-places” between industrial buildings be formalized, beautified, and given a defined identity? Or should they remain in their current state - spaces unsuitable for extended stays, only serving as temporary stops?

Liminal space, a term used to describe boundary zones where transitions occur and distinctions blur, aptly characterizes these areas. Similarly, non-place refers to spaces where people only stay briefly, spaces unassigned with personal identity or significance. Both concepts effectively capture the essence of the back alleys of Kwun Tong's commercial-industrial district.

The audio walk experience draws on several characteristics of “liminal space” and “non-place,” such as continuous decomposition and reconstruction, the uncertainty of permanence, and the ambiguity of transitions. Using the back alleys of Kwun Tong as its stage, this experience transforms the unique sense of disorientation felt in these spaces into synthesized sounds through mobile app sensors and AI algorithms. This alternative sensory experience offers a novel perspective on exploring these alleyways.

The bamboo sound installation, “Bamboo Vault”, reweaves the sounds collected from participants in the audio walk experience, creating a dialogue between solitary moments and collective interactions. With no fixed entrance, the installation invites visitors to explore freely and experience the soundscape from various perspectives. By applying the concept of liminality, we reflect on ourselves and the contemporary state of the city. Through the interplay of reality and virtuality, the installation constructs a transitional space where sound shapes an alternative urban imagination.