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Veteran architect and former senior government official Donald Liao Poon-huai, widely known as the “Father of Wah Fu Estate,” has died at the age of 96.
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Liao passed away on Thursday. During a public service career spanning more than 25 years in housing development, he played a key role in shaping Hong Kong’s early public housing landscape and later became the first Chinese Chief Secretary during the British colonial era in 1985.
Liao joined the Building Development Committee in 1960 and went on to serve as Director of Buildings Development, Director of Housing, Secretary for Housing, and Chairman of the Housing Authority. His work included the design and development of several early public housing estates such as Ma Tau Wai Estate, Wo Lok Estate, Fuk Loi Estate, and Wah Fu Estate, the latter often described as a “luxury estate for the common people.”
One of Liao’s most influential ideas emerged in the 1960s, when he advocated designing public housing flats with private kitchens and toilets, rather than the shared facilities common in earlier resettlement blocks. At the time, many households had to share communal toilets, which often led to disputes among residents.
In a 2019 interview during a revisit to Wah Fu Estate, Liao recalled how residents told him they appreciated the estate’s design because each unit had its own kitchen and bathroom — a feature that brought him a strong sense of satisfaction.
During his career, Liao also witnessed key milestones in Hong Kong’s housing development. In 1975, while serving as Director of Housing, he accompanied Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to the newly completed Oi Man Estate in Ho Man Tin.
He later became Chief Secretary in 1985, marking the first time a Chinese official held the post under British rule. He retired from government service in 1989.
Beyond his public career, Liao married Christine Yuen Ching Me in 1963. Yuen was a ballet dancer and founder of the Christine Liao School of Ballet, and was also a prominent figure in Hong Kong’s dance education scene.
Tributes have poured in following news of his passing.
Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin expressed sorrow over Liao’s death and praised his lasting contribution to Hong Kong’s housing development.
“I met Dr Liao for the first time when we were filming the documentary series which commemorated the 50th anniversary of the HA,” Ho said.
“My colleagues and I were instantly impressed by his warmth and care for the younger generations amid robust exchanges on public housing, architecture and design, as well as community planning.”
She also highlighted Liao’s role in developing Hong Kong’s subsidized housing policies.
“As the pioneer of the Home Ownership Scheme in Hong Kong, Dr Liao established the subsidised sale housing system to facilitate not only the turnover of public rental housing, but also encourage upward mobility for the grassroots families,” Ho said.
“At his young age, he took charge of the entire development projects of Ma Tau Wai Estate and Wah Fu Estate, where he had placed particular emphasis on the integration of public spaces, ancillary facilities and natural environments in public housing designs.”
“Dr Liao's career journey in public housing has been an inspiration to our team and he will remain our role model as we continue to strive our best in the design of public housing.”
Ho added: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dr Donald Liao and would like to express deepest condolences to his family on behalf of the Housing Bureau, the HA, and the Housing Department.”
Last year, Ho visited Liao at his home during the Lunar New Year and Lantern Festival period.
