Student art rides historic rails for St. Joseph's College’s 150th anniversary

In an innovative blend of heritage and artistry, St. Joseph's College partners with Tramplus Limited to extend its 150th anniversary celebrations citywide through a student-decorated tram that carries the Josephian Spirit beyond campus gates. The tram will run for one month on Hong Kong Island.

This collaboration brings together two historic Hong Kong icons - St. Joseph's College, established by the La Salle Brothers in 1875, and the tram system from 1904.

Drawing inspiration from their shared journey through time, student designers recreate the historic North Block, built in 1920 and now a declared monument, with its distinctive sky-blue roof and arched corridors set against the modern skyline. The other side of the tram celebrates the vibrant student life that has shaped generations of talent in sports, music, and academics.  

“What moves me most about the SJC Tram is how it tells the story of our journey through the years,” said Kwok Tik Man, principal of St. Joseph’s College.

“The heritage building, our students' passion for the many things that they do and excel in — it’s all here. This tram isn't just about our past; it shows the community we are today.”

The interior of the tram also features the school's signature green and white colors, making St. Joseph's College the first school to extend its design inside the tram among tramplus collaborations. Custom monograms adorning the passenger seats tell the Josephian story through carefully chosen symbols - the school tie, the 150th anniversary logo, elements from the school emblem, and icons representing multiple aspects of school life, from sports to music to science. The SJC “tank”, an old classroom desk that all Josephians remember from Form 1, surely earned its place in the pattern.

Hou Long, an alumnus currently studying Architecture at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said he enjoyed working alongside the students.

“It was fascinating to see my school from their point of view. We focused on blending heritage with student life through our choice of colors and elements, while making use of the tram façade to honor this iconic form of transportation. For a canvas this big, we overcame technical issues by breaking down the digital work into smaller sections, working on them separately, then bringing everything together."

Meanwhile, student designer Stephen Lau said the team wishes the design to capture the full spectrum of Josephian life.

“I talked to peers and discovered activities I didn't even know existed at SJC. The double-decker tram was a tricky canvas, and we brainstormed ways to connect designs between levels. For the characters, we tried various styles before choosing a dynamic approach that captured their energy."

The tram will operate for one month from early February to early March, as a part of the school’s 150th anniversary celebrations, this tram showcases the school’s vibrant spirit and sets the stage for the grand Open Day on February 23. On the day, visitors can explore the historic North Block featured in the tram’s design, while enjoying exhibitions and performances that bring the school's unique charm to life.