SUPER TONG

Themeaning of the project, “Super Tong”, is threefold. While it represents the agglomeration of benevolent associations, also called Tongs by many Chinese-Americans, into one single tower, “Super” also revealed hidden meanings of the Chinese, or China in general, as a rising super power, where the tower is situated at the center of Chinatown, just opposite to the power of focus of the federal government. The name also made referenced to the author’s surname “Tong” which contributed to a triple meaning in the naming of the project.

The project takes the assumption that the initiator of the project is the president of the CCBA and would like to search for a new location and new building for the headquarters for his association. CCBA is currently managing 27 associations while others are operating on their own. The current 5-storied CCBA headquarters was completed in 1952 and floors are either rented out as temporary venues for holding offices or office spaces for CCBA members to work and handle daily matters.

Due to redevelopment plans of the overall Los Angeles downtown area, the whole Chinatown is expected to be redeveloped and relocated. The project will accommodate all the remaining buildings and headquarters for the associations and serve as a reminiscence of the then-relocated or diminished Chinatown, and eventually, create a new building typology.

Benevolent Associations (Social) Benevolent Associations (Historic) The Headquaters of CCBA Entrance & Temple for all Private Clubs