Unassuming at first glance, Knowles Building is home to the Architecture Department at the University of Hong Kong. Many an urban legend revolves around Knowles Building’s disorienting nature. Myths tell horror stories about how visitors often fail to find their way out in this mysterious building.  These urban legends have a basis in truth. Knowles Building has a different floor plan for each of its 12 floors. There are minimal interior structures, allowing each floor to have space and flexibility for different layouts. As a result, the building can effectively accommodate different needs from small offices to lecture halls to a spacious wood workshop studio.  A classic modernist architecture, the building doesn’t undermine the building’s functionality to making bells and whistles. But the bulk of the building, at the same time, may have be a challenge for designers to plan a floor layout. The pragmatic design is also reflected in its façade.  The bulkiness of its structure is balanced by its grid-like white brise-soleil (the external shading structure).  The different sizes and shapes of the brise-soleil create a unique pattern and at the same time, offer different levels of shading throughout the building. With the lack of frames and walls on the two basement floors, it has “lifted” the whole structure up and created a floating visual illusion. The bridge also connects Knowles Building to the main library.