ADC Awards
ADC Annual Awards is the oldest continuously running industry award show in the world, with an incredible legacy of over 100 years. These awards celebrate the very best in advertising, digital media, graphic and publication design, packaging and product design, motion, experiential and spatial design, photography, illustration and fashion design – all with a focus on artistry and craftsmanship.
Category
Live Experience Design / Placemaking
Annual ID
ADC105_EXP009B
TIDES was created to solve a clear gap in Hong Kong’s live entertainment landscape. While the city boasts world-class arenas and intimate clubs, there was little in between. At 1,500 capacity, TIDES bridges that missing middle - large enough to attract international touring acts who may not fill an arena, yet intimate enough to preserve the energy and connection of a club show. Entering this under-served category meant not only building a venue, but setting a new benchmark for what a mid-sized music experience could be in Hong Kong.
The challenge extended beyond scale. Housed within the ship-shaped Whampoa complex, a distinctive waterfront structure long embedded in the city’s skyline, the project demanded sensitivity and vision. Rather than impose an imported aesthetic, we embraced adaptive reuse - transforming an overlooked icon into a cultural destination while honouring its history and presence.
The concept draws deeply from Hong Kong’s enduring relationship with the sea. Inspired by Mazu, the legendary goddess believed to command the tides, the venue’s identity is rooted in local mythology and maritime energy. Port-hole windows inside the venue echo those inside a ship, architectural curves, reflective materials, and teal-and-gold tones echo waves, light, and movement. From a reflective stairway that evokes a descent underwater to dappled metal ceilings that shimmer like sunlight on the harbour, every detail reinforces a cohesive narrative.
The result is more than a venue - it is a landmark experience. TIDES fills a critical gap in the live music ecosystem, strengthens Hong Kong’s position on the global touring map, and transforms a familiar waterfront structure into a sonic oasis that contributes meaningfully to the city’s cultural and tourism landscape.
The challenge extended beyond scale. Housed within the ship-shaped Whampoa complex, a distinctive waterfront structure long embedded in the city’s skyline, the project demanded sensitivity and vision. Rather than impose an imported aesthetic, we embraced adaptive reuse - transforming an overlooked icon into a cultural destination while honouring its history and presence.
The concept draws deeply from Hong Kong’s enduring relationship with the sea. Inspired by Mazu, the legendary goddess believed to command the tides, the venue’s identity is rooted in local mythology and maritime energy. Port-hole windows inside the venue echo those inside a ship, architectural curves, reflective materials, and teal-and-gold tones echo waves, light, and movement. From a reflective stairway that evokes a descent underwater to dappled metal ceilings that shimmer like sunlight on the harbour, every detail reinforces a cohesive narrative.
The result is more than a venue - it is a landmark experience. TIDES fills a critical gap in the live music ecosystem, strengthens Hong Kong’s position on the global touring map, and transforms a familiar waterfront structure into a sonic oasis that contributes meaningfully to the city’s cultural and tourism landscape.
2026 Awards
Total Points: 9
Bronze Cube
Credits
Brand-Side / In-House Agency
Blueprint Studio - Live Nation / New York
Design Firm
Blurr Bureau / New York
Art Director
Austin Welsh
Creative Director
Caitlin Kennedy Bradley
Jessica Dimcevski
Account Director
Ashley Brandt
Head of Brand & Experience
Mietra Beyer
Naming
Patrick Yovanov
Vice President, Strategy
Molly Rowan Hamilton
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