Nick Tsao is a Hong Kong-based artist and qualified architect whose practice bridges the centuries-old tradition of Chinese papercutting with contemporary architectural thinking. Trained at the University of Cambridge and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Tsao approaches paper not merely as a surface, but as a spatial and sculptural medium shaped by structure, rhythm, and light.
His work is an artistic extension of Papertecture — a movement of imagined structures that explore profound ideas regarding form, culture, and memory. By applying years of architectural model-making precision to paper, Tsao transforms a humble material into intricate compositions. His portfolio ranges from traditional auspicious motifs and zodiac imagery to complex architectural façades and contemporary symbols, balancing delicate aesthetics with structural clarity.
A two-time recipient of the Hong Kong Young Design Talent Award, Tsao’s professional background includes a New York residency with James Corner Field Operations. He has worked at internationally renowned design firms such as Foster + Partners and Herzog & de Meuron, while maintaining his artistic studio at the historic Blue House in Wan Chai. Through bespoke commissions and community workshops, he continues to explore paper as a living medium —preserving heritage while carving out new possibilities for contemporary expression.
