Pek’s Island


On the 6th level of the anglo-chinese junior college oldham wing block, there exist a humble balcony shaped in a square and opened on 3 sides. It seems like a space left over in the design of the building and seemingly possess no particular programe.
The journey to this balcony is not any unique experience, it takes the form of a boring and tiring climb up a neverending flight of stairs through a claustrophobic stair well of heavy and stagnant air to a balcony which sits above an office occupied by saddistic, teenager-torturing homosapiens (pe teacher) isolated and separated from the mains school building. Maybe that’s why no one uses it. More importantly, 17teen-year-olds and 18teen-year-olds have better and more ‘happening’ things to do than to embark on this unexciting pilgramage.
I happen to chance upon this space during a particularly taxing week. It immediately hit me as a very pleasant space.
Firstly, it is not enclosed and being on the highest level of the campus, it is all most always winding. In the mornings, the sun explodes into the space warming up the chills of the night; in the afternoon, the constant wind blows away the afternoon heat; in the evening, the main school building shades the sun while gentle breezes welcome in the night; and at night, being away from the escaping heat of the ground, is remains cool. Furthermore, being so high up, there is much need privacy while still being able to see everything that goes on below, from the voiddeck, to the grandstand to the track and sports complex and further of to the laughing and playing kid of the neighbouring school. Being there puts me above the sea of noise below. Up there there is almost silence, where troubles and frustrations are gone with the wind, revitalising me to step back into the dutys and expectations that awaits below.
It is a space set amidst a sea of controlled chaos and cacophony. Virtually unknown and unused by the very entities that created it and live below it.

Tiw Pek Hong