Kanisa Sattayanurak grew up in Chiang Mai, Thailand, a country famous for its rice production. In Thai, "Kanisa" means "ears of rice", which seems to have destined her life to be closely connected with the land.
Kanisa graduated with a degree in architecture from Chiang Mai University and came to Hong Kong in 2018. She first completed a two-year master's program at The University of Hong Kong. After putting down model after model, Kanisa stayed at HKU to pursue a Ph.D., focusing on a very local research project: the interaction between heritage, landscape, and residents.
Whether stepping into the bustling Man Mo Temple on Hollywood Road in Sheung Wan or visiting the Roman-style structure at the Ex-Sham Shui Po Service Reservoir, Kanisa felt the evolution of a city and how people understand their own history. In Sham Shui Po, Kanisa also enjoyed soybean milk and tofu pudding. Despite the seemingly chaotic old district, she discovered the mobility of people and the vitality of the grassroots in Sham Shui Po's street stalls. Studying in Hong Kong for six years, Kanisa walked between the old and new Hong Kong, observing the city from the perspective of an architecture student. Her observations deepened her understanding of heritage, landscape, and people's lives, showing that the values of preserving historical sites and maintaining original lifestyles are closely intertwined.
After six years in Hong Kong and about to graduate with her Ph.D., Kanisa will return to her hometown in Thailand to teach at her alma mater, Chiang Mai University. She says she will miss the taste of Hong Kong's food and her days exploring the city.