Rediscovering HKUST Through Nature Sounds: In Conversation with AK Kan
Nestled along the shores of Clear Water Bay and surrounded by lush greenery, HKUST is home to a rich natural environment that many of us experience every day but rarely stop to listen.
To help students and staff rediscover the sounds of nature on campus, the Sustainability/Net-Zero Office created the the HKUST Serendipity Mini CD Keychain, a welcome gift for students equipped with NFC that was distributed during the first week of school. With the simple tap of a smartphone, users can access a playlist of nature recordings captured across HKUST.
To create the playlist, we partnered with local field recordist AK Kan, who explored different corners of campus and captured the sounds that often go unnoticed. We spoke with him about his experience recording at HKUST and the stories behind the sounds.
Meet the artist behind the project
What inspired you to become a nature sound recordist, and how does your background shape the way you listen to an environment?
AK: One day at my professional audio work, I thought that my hobby of hiking and my profession in audio could actually be combined into a project, and I started taking a field recorder to the mountains. Eventually, I found out it was called Field Recording, and I found that the best listening experience was in the field. I discovered a lot of little details I had missed before and found fun in making this role creative. In my professional training, we listen and analyse technical aspects like frequencies, spatial images and dynamics. After adventures in the field, I enjoyed going back to listening as listening itself.
What did you expect to hear before stepping onto the HKUST campus, and did the reality match your expectations?
AK: I have been to HKUST and knew HKUST is very naturally surrounded. I expected to find a peaceful environment in the busy campus, and I really did, with the suggestion from the staff. I had a very enjoyable, peaceful time recording here.
What was the biggest hurdle of capturing clean nature sounds at different sites?
AK: In my recording period, there was a big construction site in the campus. I found it very hard to avoid those construction sounds from entering the natural soundscape. Therefore, I decided to go for the field recordings in the off-work time of the site.
Your recordings span from dawn to dusk. How did you choose the specific timings for each location?
AK: I went to the different sites in different times. I usually don’t choose in advance; I pick up what I can get in the field, and I choose afterwards. The best moments are on the sites, and I don’t presume what I will get before I get there.
Do you have a personal favourite out of the 10 tracks in the playlist?
AK: I really like Night Seaside BBQ Site, as the cricket sounds give the beach a very unique character, and I really enjoyed a lot the coherence of them with the ongoing sea waves.
You previously conducted a hands-on workshop teaching HKUST staff how to record nature sounds. How was that experience, and did the staff discover any surprising sounds on the campus?
AK: The staff enjoyed a lot sensing the usual environment in a new way. I remember they mentioned that although they were here almost every day, they had a totally new perspective on the environment. They recorded sounds of bird songs, the sound of a water stream overheard in the route, and also the flow of the busy campus. I think it would be interesting if we could keep on observing and documenting the campus through the year.
How do you hope the HKUST community will interact with the playlist? Are there specific ways you’d recommend they listen?
AK: I would be very happy if this playlist could bring curiosity out into the community’s daily life in HKUST, as I believe it would be such a joy to work in this amazing, naturally friendly environment. The best parts are in the site, and I am glad the playlist captured a very tiny portion of it.
While the recordings offer a glimpse into HKUST's natural soundscape, AK reminds us that the most rewarding listening experiences happen in nature itself. We hope the recordings recreate moments of calm and restoration - even without the Serendipity Mini CD Keychain, you can access the online playlist to rest, recharge, and reconnect with nature whenever you need to.
