PRC Magazine #103 (Architecture | Building | Construction)

2021 Issue 103

Pacific Rim Construction

C FUTURE LAB, SHENZHEN

BY QUAD STUDIO NEW PATHWAYS TOWARDS THE WORLD OF TOMORROW Hong Kong / PRC $60

Inside: BEAM Plus achieves ten years of green building development First ever prize winners crowned at Build4Asia Awards 2020 Henderson Land Development triumphs at major industry awards Shanghai World Trade Centre Phase III wins Project of the Year Atkins discusses development opportunities for HK waterfront ISSN 1684-1956 977168495009

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Our inspiration is nature, which is characterized by uniqueness, comfort and the fashionable appeal of European living; we focus on highquality and sincerity of materials. We combine modern, sophisticated design with care for the environment. Our goal is using goods of nature to bring pleasure and satisfaction to people’s life without sacrificing product’s aesthetic appeal and function.

Playstation Headquarter

Standard Chartered Bank

Motorola Head Office

High-end interiors with the unique, fashionable appeal of European living Unit 101, 1/F, iHome Centre, 369 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, H.K. T: (852) 2338 8800

VERDE PROFILO MOSSwall®, handmade in Italy, is created from a natural lichen from sustainable sources. Preserved with a 100% ecological technique, the lichen is stabilised and undergoes anti-static treatment to avoid the capture of dust.

MOSSwall ® requires no maintenance and is fully guaranteed for 5 years. It is the ultimate synergy of nature and design, certified for fire, acoustic and antibacterial control. Available in 23 colours, MOSSwall® can be utilised for corporate branding, unique interior design, sound control, light solutions, furniture, or simply to bring nature indoors, there really is no limit as to what can be designed from MOSSwall®.

verdeprofilo.com/en/mosswall

Made in Germany, OSMO has been perfecting the art of plant oil and wax based products for over a century.

Formed by the oils of sunflower, soya, linseed and thistle, as well as natural waxes, our patented finishes are completely safe to use around children and pets and have no unpleasant odours during application. Unlike lacquer, varnishes and other synthetic finishes, OSMO products are completely non-toxic after drying and pose no threat to the environment.

OSMO has expanded its world-renowned range of Polyx Oil with the “natural’ colour tone for finishing wooden surfaces and porous surfaces such as granite, cement tiles. Polyx Oil is the first finish worldwide to fulfil long term emissions tests and because the product is free from benzene, aromatics and tarpenes, makes them 100% environmentally friendly.

The benevolent red used on Japanese pagodas is a very special shade of RED. All pagodas in the country follow this colour strictly, but until recently it contained lead. So, to provide a suitable alternative OSMO had to match the colour precisely. Our success demonstrates OSMO’s meticulous attention to detail on behalf of our clients.

220 Gloucester Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong Phone: +852 2833 6069

Email: info@osmochina.com

www.osmo.com.hk

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Publisher: Mike Staley, publisher@rofmedia.com Editor: info@rofmedia.com Contributing Editor: Elizabeth Dooley Editorial Team: Bryan Chan • Derek Leung • Jasper Lau • Joe Wyatt • Krista Chan • Michael Hoare • Norman Yam • Richard Lee Business Development: Bryan Chan, bryan@rofmedia.com Tel: (852) 3150 8912 Sales Director: Mike Staley, mike@rofmedia.com Tel: (852) 3150 8989 Account Manager: Alfred Ng, alfred@rofmedia.com Tel: (852) 3150 8911 Account Manager: Howard Tsang, howard@rofmedia.com Tel: (852) 3150 8988 Sales Enquiries: yannie@rofmedia.com, sales@rofmedia.com Tel: (852) 3150 8988 Senior Graphic Designer: Ric Sin, studio@rofmedia.com Graphic Designers: Eddie Yue, Michelle Morkel Photographer: Brian Zhang Digital Media Coordinator: Jeffrey Ng Printing: DG3 Asia Ltd. PRC Magazine is published by Ring of Fire Ltd. 5/F Kong Ling Building, 102 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 3150 8988 info@rofmedia.com www.rofmedia.com

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8 PRESS

EXPERIENCE LOUNGE SHOWCASES SHANGHAI’S NEW HEART OF URBAN LIVING

The Experience Lounge has been officially unveiled at Taikoo Li Qiantan, a new retail complex jointly developed by Swire Properties and Lujiazui Group in Pudong, Shanghai. The 430m2 open-plan lounge showcases the planning and design of Taikoo Li Qiantan and its vision to become the “Heart of Urban Living” in Shanghai, whilst also taking visitors on a wellness journey that demonstrates the new development’s commitment to providing a quality lifestyle experience. Major design highlights include a double-deck open space created both on the ground level and on the rooftop. The ground level features an 8,000m2 central green axis, spanned by an 80-metre-long scenic bridge from which customers can overlook the scenery of Qiantan Park and the Huangpu River. The rooftop features a 450-metre track with greenery and leisure spaces that connect with the surrounding retail shops. Designed by renowned US architecture and planning practice 5+ Design, with the landscape designed by Singapore-based landscape design consultant Tierra, the development is set for completion by the end of 2020 and is scheduled to open in 2021. www.swireproperties.com

CUNDALL WINS WORLD GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL SUSTAINABILE BUSINESS AWARD

LWKP SYNTHESISES FUNCTION AND COMMUNITY AT CITIGATE MALL EXTENSION

T h e Wo r l d G B C A s i a Pacific Leadership in Green Building Awards showcases the businesses and innovators leading the way in sustainable buildings. The biennial event, celebrates Asia P a c i f i c ’s b r i g h t e s t achievements towards a more sustainable built environment: buildings pushing the envelope in sustainability, inspiring companies, and strong female leadership.

As winner of the Business Leadership in Sustaianability Award f o r A PA C , C u n d a l l (Australia) was awarded for its commitment to reducing its impact on the planet by developing a sustainability policy with impressive targets and action plans, from zero carbon energy to ethics and equity. David Clark, Director & Partner, Cundall said: “Climate change, health and wellbeing and the biodiversity crisis are just some challenges we face as a global society. Is there any moral alternative other than taking action? This humbling recognition is an opportunity to share our journey and highlight the initiatives we’ve implemented so far. If we can inspire others to embrace sustainable approaches, that would be the best result to come from winning [this award.]” www.cundall.com

A vibrant all-embracing urban centre is often regarded necessary for building a strong sense of identity and sense of place among residents and visitors. This is the key consideration for LWK + PARTNERS as it works as Authorised P e r s o n a n d E xe c u t i v e Architect, in collaboration with Arquitectonica as Design Architect for C i t y g a t e O u t l e t s N ew Extension and The Silveri Hong Kong – MGaller y in Hong Kong, China. The complex also includes a new five-star boutique hotel, at Tung Chung Town L o t ( T C T L ) n o 1 1 . LW K + PA RT N E R S I n t e r i o r D e s i g n Te a m i s a l s o r e s p o n s i b l e f o r d e s i g n a n d i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f h o t e l ’s common areas and execution works of interiors of retail arcade.

The Citygate Outlets extension serves as a connectivity hub for the district, offering an extra 31,800 m2 of contemporary retail spaces for adding over 50 brand new shops to the existing mall. With a public transport terminal at the ground floor, the project is also close to the MTR providing easy access to downtown Hong Kong. www.lwkp.com

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VIRGIN HYPERLOOP TRIALS FIRST PASSENGER RIDE IN PEGASUS POD

Virgin Hyperloop’s Pegasus pod has made history in the Nevada desert, successfully carrying its first passengers in the newest form of travel in over a century.

Designed by BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group and Kilo Design, the Pegasus, or ‘XP-2’, is a new vehicle typology for an autonomous transportation system to achieve hyperloop travel at the speed of over 1,000km/hour, the fastest form of land-based travel. Engineered with magnetic levitation to avoid the drag of wheels it allows for maximum speed of passengers or cargo and much more energy efficient than traditional rail transit. After over a year of close collaboration, the first passengers trialled this new form of transportation at Virgin Hyperloop’s 500m DevLoop test site in Las Vegas, where the company has previously run over 400 tests in un-occupied pods. The demonstration was overseen by an industry-recognised Independent Safety Assessor (ISA) Certifier. Its success marks a historic moment in transportation as Pegasus becomes the first manned and fully functional system for Hyperloop travel. https://big.dk/#projects-pegasus

SINO GROUP ANNOUNCES SUSTAINABILITY VISION 2030

SOM DESIGNS NEW WATERFRONT NEIGHBOURHOOD FOR ZHUHAI

In support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), Sino Group has announced its Sustainability Vision 2030 (SV2030) in alignment with six key areas of focus under its ‘Creating Better Lifescapes’ vision, namely Green, Design, Wellness, Innovation, Heritage and Culture, and Community. The Group has also committed to a new 3R Strategy (Renew, Reduce, Redefine) to address Hong Kong’s sustainability challenges, including the adoption of over 3,200 solar panels to generate renewable energy sources, reducing consumption of singleuse plastics (SUP) by 50% across all business lines by 2022, and developing green properties that are wellness-centric. ‘The Sustainability Vision 2030, covering crucial areas such as renewable energy, plastic reduction, green building certification and innovative sustainability solutions, is an important blueprint charting the course for 2030 and beyond. I would like to thank our partners for the staunch support, and look forward to creating better lifescapes as we continue on our sustainability journey,’ remarks Mr Dar yl Ng, Deputy Chairman of Sino Group. www.sino.com

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) has been selected from a shortlist of ten global design firms to create Jiuzhou Bay in Zhuhai. The development is a new 520,000m2 mixed-use neighborhood that features offices, residences, retail, and infrastructure. The design sets a new standard for public transit in the region, with plans for a robust transportation hub that offers connection to land, sea and rail across more than 40 acres. It also features five modular and ecofriendly canopies which capture rainwater and harvest energy via photovoltaic panels. The canopies envelop three sides of a 167,000m2 port, weaving together a landscape of towers rising behind it and creating a series of covered pedestrian alleyways, a lively retail environment, and interlinked courtyards along the waterfront promenade. Complementing the site’s maritime heritage is a central 318m tall tower comprising 35 floors of office space topped by a 20-storey Ritz Carlton Hotel compete with skybar and observation deck. www.som.com

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CONSORTIUM SELECTED TO DESIGN NEW SHENZHEN NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

BURO HAPPOLD STRUCTURES CREATE GREENER, SAFER CAMPUSES

Carnegie Mellon’s business school use 35% less concrete than conventional solid floor slabs

B+H, 3XN and Zhubo Design were recently awarded first place in an international design competition for the new Shenzhen Natural History Museum, set to be one Shenzhen’s “Ten Cultural Facilities of the New Era” and the first large-scale comprehensive natural museum in Southern China once complete. Located adjacent to the picturesque Yanzi Lake in the Pingshan District of Shenzhen, the new 42,000m 2 facility will be a world-class natural science museum dedicated to interpreting the laws of natural evolution, showing the geographies of Shenzhen and its ecology in a global perspective, and actively advocating science. Entitled “Delta” the winning design rises seamlessly from the river delta, inviting visitors and residents to journey along its accessible green rooftop. A public park extends throughout the roof and highlights the Natural History Museum’s organic geometries. Like a river stream finding its shape in balance with the earth, ever y turn frames a new spectacular view over the surrounding park, hills, and lake from dedicated viewing terraces along the roof park. https://bharchitects.com

Integrated engineering consultancy Buro Happold has announced a series of projects at some U.S. college campuses and museums that are proving that concrete isn’t what it used to be. With innovations including concrete facade shades, lightweight yet strong hollowed-out slabs, greener replacement materials for energy-intensive cement, and even carbon-capture technology, Buro Happold is turning these iconic building projects into proving grounds for future directions in sustainability. Examples of innovative structural concepts include the use of voided slabs in proprietary systems such as BubbleDeck, which the company has employed for Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and the ISTB7 research complex under construction at Arizona State University. The solution is said to use 35% less concrete than conventional solid floor slabs, reducing embodied energy by around 30%. High-tech mixes that include a recycled waste product, fly ash, as well as a superplasticiser that reduces the need for water in the concrete mix, and lightweight glass and concrete sunshades have also been used to dramatically reduced the carbon footprint of the ISTB7 building. www.burohappold.com

REDEFINING THE ART OF URBAN LIVING IN KUALA LUMPAR

GAMMON VERIFIED AGAINST LATEST ISO 14064 CARBON ACCOUNTING STANDARD

Designed by architect Hud Bakar of RSP Architects Ku a l a L u m p u r w i t h landscaping by Bangkokbased landscape architect P o k Ko b k o n g s a n t i o f TROP Studio, 8 Conlay is located on nearly four acres of freehold land in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

Scheduled to open in early 2022, 8 Conlay promises to redefine the art of urban living in the city in its quest to become the next crown jewel of branded residences in Southeast Asia. It also marks the i n a u g u ral d eve lopme nt of the Malaysia lifestyle property developer KSK Land. Situated between Kuala Lumpur City Centre and the bustling Golden Triangle neighbourhood, the integrated development consists of three towers atop a four-storey lifestyle podium, featuring the first and only five-star Kempinski Hotel in Malaysia and the world’s tallest twin residential towers devoted exclusively to branded serviced residences called YOO8 serviced by Kempinski. With interior design

by British celebrity designer Kelly Hoppen and Hong Kong-based architect Steve Leung, 8 Conlay is set to become a new landmark on the city’s skyline. https://kskgroup.com

Gammon has become the first company in Hong Kong to have its greenhouse gas emissions inventory verified against the latest (2018) version of the ISO 14064 carbon accounting standard. A more comprehensive standard than previously, the latest version of ISO 14064 considers a much broader range and significance of indirect emissions, in addition to looking at the boundary for different gases, their overall significance and the accuracy of data collection methods. The verification brings Gammon’s accounting processes in line with global best practices or increasing visibility of indirect emissions, particularly with supply chains. “Given the looming climate crisis, finding the carbon reduction opportunities in our emissions inventory is essential,” said Eddie Tse, Senior Environmental Manager. “We are also seeing growing interest in life cycle carbon assessment so it’s important that we are able to provide an accurate understanding of our construction phase carbon emissions for our clients,” he added. www.gammonconstruction.com

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ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW HOUSE 2020 WINNERS REVEALED

Canvas for Sky by Shota Nakanishi Architects.

Photo: Shinkenchiku-sha

Love2 House by Takeshi Hosaka Architects.

Phote: Koji Fujii

Davidson Rafailidis’ house in Buffalo, New York State, US has been announced as the winner of the Archiectural Review (AR) House awards 2020 for his transformation of a 1920s garage into a small house. Named Big Space, Little Space. The winner was announced alongside two Highlight Commended and three Commended house projects. Japan featured widely in this year’s awards, with White Hut by ADO, a polyhedric suburban house that opens a generous hand to the street while preserving the privacy of its inhabitants, and Four Leaves by Kentaro Ishida Architects Studio, which features an organic roof shape integrated into its natural surroundings to create a dynamic living space below, both receiving commendations. This year’s judging panel included three previous AR House finalists: co-founder of Collectif Encore Anna Chavepayre, British architect Lisa Shell, and Dutch architect Ard de Vries. Entries were received from around the globe and considered by the judges, who were looking for ingenious and pioneering houses that seek to push the type forward. www.architectural-review.com

DOOR ACCESS SOLUTIONS SPECIALIST ANNOUNCES NEW PRODUCTS

NEW AQUATICS CENTRE AND PEDESTRIAN OVERPASS FOR PARIS OLYMPICS

AUB has recently announced the addition of two new products to its range of offerings. The first, Silatec Security Glass, is a laminated glass consisting of several highly transparent and highly resistant materials. It has distinct features and advantages over conventional armored glass; it is thinner, lighter, neutral in color and provides a high level of UV protection. The product is available in Burglar-proof and Bullet-proof glazing versions. Both are tested and certified to EN Standards and offer the highest grading of Private Protection. The second product, DoorBird is the smart solution for house entrances. The DoorBird IP Video Door Station connects to a smartphone, allowing the user to connect to their visitor wherever they are. The IP Video Door Station can be used as a stand-alone unit or can be integrated into an existing Smart Home platform. Each time somone rings at the door the user will receive a push notification on their smartphone or tablet. Via the DoorBird App the user is not only able to talk to the visitor but can also see them live in HD quality. The DoorBird user will never miss another delivery. They are on the move and yet at home, even if a burglar rings at the door to check if someone is at home. www.aub.com.hk

VenhoevenCS and Ateliers 2/3/4/, in cooperation with Bouygues Bâtiment Ilede-France, Récréa, Dalkia has won the competition to design the new Aquatics Centre for the Paris 2024 Olympic games. The design includes a new pedestrian bridge that connects it with the existing ‘Stade de France’. The bridge will be the new gateway to the Aquatics centre and the upcoming Eco neighborhood which will be created after the games. The design goes beyond environmental regulations and requirement and is a balanced ecosystem in itself. Sustainability and biodiversity is key in all aspects of the design, including a suspended wooden roof structure and smart energy system. Upcycling is also a main design principle, with all furniture in restaurants, bars and entrances made out of wood waste coming from construction and demolition sites, and newly designed tribune chairs made out of 100% recycled plastic collected from schools in the area. https://venhoevencs.nl

GRAND OPENING OF ZHENSHEN TAIGUGANG COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT NANCHANG At the beginning of the year JATO Design International’s design of the Zhenshen Taigugang Commercial Development in Nancheng was recognised in the architecture category of the Asia Pacific Property Awards 2020-2021. JATO won the award for Best Mixed-Use Architecture Jiangxi Province, China. The 280,000m2 podium development, which was completed after just two years of construction, now stands as centrepiece of the city’s new Central Business District. The grand opening of the Zhenshen Taigugang Mall took place this summer, not only providing a window for Qingyupu District to display the image of the city, but also a valuable opportunity for Nanchang to accelerate the development of commerce. http://jato.hk

FIRST SUEZ PLASTIC RECYCLING PLANT OPENS IN ASIA SUEZ has announced the official opening of its Circular Po ly m e r P l a n t i n Bang Phli, Thailand – the Group’s first plastic recycling plant in Asia. Dedicated to reversing the plastic pollution crisis and mitigating climate change the plant converts 30,000 tonnes of Thailand’s plastic packaging waste a year into post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic. It also has one of the highest water reuse rates for recycling plants in Thailand at 94%, and avoids 35,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually, equivalent to planting 1.5 million trees. The new plant is one of Thailand’s largest LDPE recycling plants and is strongly supported by the experience of specialists from PLAST’lab®, SUEZ’s plastic laboratory that allows the plant to qualify, characterise, measure and formulate new recycled plastics to fit customer’s specific needs. Producing one tonne of recycled plastic saves five barrels of oil, which is equivalent to 1.6 tonnes of CO2. Each year, SUEZ processes nearly 400,000 tonnes of plastic waste in nine specialist facilities around the world and produces 150,000 tonnes of circular polymers. www.suez-nws.com

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LEAD8 UNVEILS DESIGN FOR ‘11 SKIES’ IN HONG KONG

Lead8 has announced the firm’s appointment by New World Development as Lead Consultant on ‘11 SKIES’ has been extended to include Interior Design alongside its Masterplanning and Architecture scope. 11 SKIES is a new HK$20 billion mixed-use destination at SKYCITY, located next to the Hong Kong International Airport. Opening in phases from 2022 to 2025 it will be Hong Kong’s largest hub for Retail, Dining and Entertainment (RDE), and the first such development to combine wealth management and wellness services.

Covering a gross floor area of 353,000m2, the destination will feature 247,000m2 dedicated to dining and retail outlets and 53,000m2 for experiential entertainment facilities. There will be over 800 shops including more than 120 dining concepts together with entertainment never seen before in the region, all under one roof. The development also includes three grade A office towers covering 53,000m2 which will be operated under K11 ATELIER. www.lead8.com

SLD EXPANDS LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP WITH ITALIAN SHIPYARD SANLORENZO

STEELCASE UNVEILS LATEST SPACE MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY

Following the success of their first collaboration in 2016 for Sanlorenzo SL106, Steve Leung and Sanlorenzo have expanded their par tnership to include the interior design for the crossover SX (Sport Explorer) range. As the sole Asia-based interior designer, Steve joins a line-up of internationally acclaimed designers including Piero Lissoni and Patricia Urquiola, engaged by Sanlorenzo. The exclusive collaboration between Steve Leung Designers (SLD) and Sanlorenzo brings a new take on the luxury yacht industry, infusing each project with a unique Asia-inspired design reflecting the distinctive personalities and needs of each owner. Reinterpreting the design for the SX88, Leung’s design for a deluxe floating villa is centred on maximizing space and functionality. Crafted with an innovative open-plan layout, the main salon is a social hub that seamlessly connects indoor and outdoor through floor-to-ceiling glass walls and subtle sliding doors and is perfectly suited to today’s Asian owners who use their yachts for family gatherings and social entertainment. www.sldgroup.com

Steelcase Asia Pacific has announced its latest addition to its offerings in the form of RoomWizard, a workplace resources scheduling solution that allows teams to search, find and reserve rooms, desks and work spaces across their offices. Built on the Microsoft Azure cloud infrastructure, RoomWizard is a secure, all-in-one, enterprise work resources reservation system that’s easy to use, manage and maintain from a single device manager web application.

Its intuitive interface allows users to check in upon arrival at the reserved location. If no one arrives as scheduled, the booking will be released and the facility’s availability w i l l b e u p d a t e d a u t o m a t i c a l ly on the system. RoomWizard is also customisable to fit each organisation’s brand and culture and offers a range of mounting options to allow easy installation on glass, drywall and an expansive range of architectural and furniture products.

T h e p l a t fo r m a l l ow s u s e r s t o optimise the utilisation of the entire workplace portfolio adding on assets and locations as their needs evolve over time. www.steelcase.com

HONG KONG PALACE MUSEUM COMPLETES BUILDING STRUCTURE The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) has announced the completion of the building structure of the Hong Kong Palace Museum, a milestone in the development of a development which is set to become a major cultural institution of and for Hong Kong. Completion of the structure marks a crucial moment in the countdown to the museum’s planned opening in mid-2022. As a collaboration project with the WKCDA, the museum, which was designed by Rocco Design Architects Associates and funded by a donation of HK$3.5 billion from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, is poised to become a landmark for local people and visitors from around the world. Featuring three atriums that will connect the different floors of the museum vertically, referencing the horizontal spatial configuration along the central axis of the Forbidden City, the museum is designed as a fresh and contemporary interpretation of traditional aesthetics, which draws inspiration from art and architecture, as well as Hong Kong’s urban environment. www.wkcda.hk

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rt, a s he s e m t s ha tion t e ac ensa p d s dly s e us orl d w xe ther i am do d te s an a re ishe c ve our a h fl io ical d r u St eat AD h th U Q wit , e y lat log s k no n a l ech b a dt n ve re an i G tu na

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ithin the grand experiment that is Shenzhen, innovation bubbles away. One experiment underway inside the southern Chinese megalopolis is peering into the fabric of the urban environment. The C Future City development at Shangsha is meant to focus on what the world to come might actually look like. Within C Future City is a design petri dish.

The C Future Lab is a 1,500-square-metre space given over to an investigation of creativity. According to QUAD Studio co-founder Kelvin Chu, the studio was asked to trick out a space that would investigate where art, technology and nature could intersect. What the design does is create an immersive experience that examines if sensations derived from the built form can inspire a creative response.

The mixed-use space tests, shares and analyses new ideas in a bid to help define the path to building the city of the future. The lab includes co-working spaces, event spaces, offices and breakout areas.

The design is pushed to it limits by technology. Spaces are amorphous, zones defined loosely by soft boundaries, lighting and special effects – sometimes provided by digital funsters teamLab from Japan and Motse from China.

There's organic-shaped pieces of sculpture dotted around the space by British industrial designer Ross Lovegrove. They serve double duties as objet d'art and functional items. There's a suggestion they may one day be infused with artificial intelligence. There's gardens running inside and out, mounted on ceilings and created by the man that made the first vertical gardens, Patrick Blanc.

It may well be the future, elegantly composed and with expensive finishes, but what exactly does it all mean? As we know, it's hard to predict what will happen next.

"It is about creating an experiential journey that will inspire visitors and have them question the future," says Chu. "The space has some areas like the forum and seminar spaces which allow visitors to discuss, and reflect on, the ideas they have received. In a way, it is a bit similar to visiting a museum at the weekend, to be away from reality and get inspiration."

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IT IS ABOUT CREATING AN EXPERIENTIAL JOURNEY THAT WILL INSPIRE VISITORS AND HAVE THEM QUESTION THE FUTURE … IT IS A BIT SIMILAR TO VISITING A MUSEUM, TO BE AWAY FROM REALITY AND GET INSPIRATION. Kelvin Chu, co-founder, QUAD Studio

When QUAD Studio – led by Wai Tang, Charles Ho, Kelvin Chu and Sean Leung, with offices in Hong Kong and Shenzhen – were invited by Centralcon Group to create the lab's interior design, the brief was there was to be no brief.

"The content of the spaces was totally up to us," Chu says. It is a completely different experience, as there is no project precedent we could find which is similar. It was an open brief from the client."

"Centralcon wanted to create a space which will become a new platform for people like architects, planners, artists, designers to explore and share new ideas about how cities should be planned," Chu says.

The team began with internal meetings to better define what a "future lab" might entail. A theme emerged, with Chu saying the team felt more "like film directors creating an experiential journey by a sequence of unique spaces". The theatre in the finished design is easy to see.

Guests are greeted by a dimly lit hall that moves in time with activity, beaming digital waves of information into a three-dimensional space kitted out by the sensorial tricksters at Moste. Automatic pivot doors open and close to control crowd flow, opening up into what might normally be considered a reception; a chamber filled with by an organic, shell-shaped sculpture. Designed

by Lovegrove, the sculpture will be powered by sensors to flash and pulse in response to flesh and blood, question and answer. You will be efficiently guided to your destination, digitally.

There are zones for a bar, dining and meeting, spaces for more formal forums and small seminars, and offices. An exhibition area surrounded by more than 160 monitors, called The Info Labyrinth, invites guests to experience multiple facets of QUAD’s vision of C Future City.

The next striking feature of this sci-fi-infused design is the Hanging Garden. The work by Blanc references the helix-shaped rainforest chandelier installed at The EmQuartier shopping mall in Bangkok.The Hanging Garden is mounted on the roof, but is mirrored on a highly reflective floor. The garden will grow out and down, blurring the line between ceiling and floor, reality and unreality, inside and out.

Since the opening of the C Future Lab last year, (EDS: 2020) it has become a hotspot for creative events, exhibitions and Ted X lectures. In many ways the design has already met it's aims.

"We have realised that most of the spaces will change through time, during different events or functions," says Chu. "We hope that each time visitors come they will experience the space differently. I think that is more interesting than a fixed repeated experience, like going for a ride in a theme park."

With the first completed project inside C Future City under its belt, the developer is now moving ahead with the biggest urban regeneration project in Shenzhen's Futien district. C Future Lab will serve to promote the background, concept and design of the immense, mixed-used development. It might also remain an evolving testing ground for new ideas in a bid to help define the path to building the city of the future.

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Development of St Johns Wood

Photo: Christoph Philadelphia

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Discerning clients choose designers who specify wooden floors and interiors which are beautiful, unique, natural, strong and durable. Individual care and craftsmanship by hand are bywords for a company that always pursues perfection.

Made in Germany. Available in Hong Kong

Exclusive Sales Partner of Schotten & Hansen | Showroom: 220 Gloucester Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong Phone: +852 2833 6069 | Email: info@schotten-hansen.com.hk

www.schotten-hansen.com

28 AWARDS

Build4Asia’s opening ceremony welcomed Dr. David Chung, JP, Under Secretary for Innovation and Technology, HKSAR along with other various supporting associations from the industry to officiate the opening ceremony.

BUILD4ASIA 2020 M

ajor trade shows adapted to the near total shut-down of the aviation sector by going virtual, bringing global e xhibitors and buye rs toge ther o nline in t he a bsence o f millions of would - be vis itors .

However, one of the city’s most established trade fairs, Build4Asia, was able to proceed and despite seemingly impossible odds, thrive.

Hong Kong’s MICE Industry (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions), a key economic driver, was not immune to the havoc wrecked by the global pandemic, with more than 50 major trade fairs cancelled in 2020.

Held from 11 to 13 November, the exhibit hall at Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre was absolutely bustling on all three days as thousands of building, electrical engineering and security industry leaders gathered under one roof to source, trade and exchange insights. The show played host to innovations, new, high-quality products and launches presenting huge opportunities for growth, successfully bringing the industry together to RESTART and RECONNECT!

Build4Asia Awards 2020

First held in 1982, the show has long been considered as an invaluable partner to the building industry.

Jointly organised by Build4Asia and PRC Magazine, the first ever Build4Asia Awards were conceived to celebrate the achievements, developments and innovations within the building industry. The awards honoured developers,

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Daniel Cheung, General Manager, Informa Markets

architects, interior designers, contractors, engineers, local authorities, etc., who have demonstrated professional excellence in their services and have contributed to a quality and sustainable built environment.

The inaugural awards attracted almost 50 entries despite uncertainties in the market, confirming industry’s faith and commitment to the organisers, Build4Asia and PRC Magazine, and a positive outlook for the building industry moving forward.

A distinguished panel of judges comprised of architects, interior designers and other building professionals, from Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and Australia gave their time, expertise and foresight to help determine the best of the best from the broad array of the competition entries. Their input being fundamental to the Awards’ undeniable success.

The Build4Asia 2020 Awards Ceremony held on 12 November attracted over 200 lively yet socially-distanced guests who were on hand to congratulate the winners of the Building and Innovation categories. Feedback on the Awards from the industry has been overwhelmingly positive confirming a second instalment will be held when Build4Asia returns in May 2022.

On the following pages we present the winners of the Building Categories as well as a full list of all of the winners of Build4Asia Awards 2020.

30 AWARDS

The Build4Asia Awards 2020 Judges. From left to right: Sammy Hui, Mark Panckhurst, Robert Gordon, Mike Staley, Janey Rogers, J Lee Rofkind, Elena Galli Giallini and Wai Tang Far right, the offshore judges.Top to bottom: Dylan Brady, Johnny Chiu and Prof. Jason Pomeroy

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32 AWARDS

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42 AWARDS

Digital Works Supervision System Your best choice!

Innovative Associate Technology Limited was formed in 2004 with the goal of becoming a leading supplier of enterpriseclass solutions based around Knowledge Management, Document Management, Records Management, Image Management, Business Process automation and Document Scanning solutions.

1 Electronic Site Inspection System (E-RISC)

THREE STRONG MODULES

Since April 2020, construction projects with a pre-tender estimate exceeding HK$300 million have had to be run electronically in order to increase productivity and be more environmentally friendly. Innovative Associate Technology Limited’s InnoShare DWSS system is an online centralised portal where construction works information is collected and workflows of site activities can be managed. It was designed with a modern and green construction environment in mind.

The portal contains E-RISC, E-Diary and E-Safety modules and serves desktop, laptop and mobile device users over a secure network. This ensures ease of access to users across a construction site. With InnoShare DWSS, the company also provides an end-to-end professional service in addition to the technology itself; it contains user and administrator training and consultation, ensuring an all-round technology solution and a user-friendly product.

InnoShare DWSS benefits both its users – including government departments, contractors and consultants – and the wider public. It allows multiple parties to be involved in real-time monitoring, with secured protection such as double authentication and mobile device management (MDM). The system helps to maintain the construction work’s quality and safety with the inclusion of electronic checklists, data logs, hazard ratings and Inspection Test Plans (ITPs).

Automatic operation may also help lower labour and time costs during projects.

InnoShare DWSS is an innovation which not only satisfies clients’ needs, but keeps pace with current market development trends. Looking to the environmental benefits, the storage of data including text and photographs on an online portal significantly reduces paper waste. This creates a green and progressive construction environment.

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2 Electronic Site Diary & Labour Return Record System (E-Diary)

3 Electronic Safety, Cleansing & Environmental Checklist System

Hugo Ho, Project Manager (R) receives the Build4Asia Award 2020 trophy

INNOVATIVE ASSOCIATE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED Unit 402B, 4/F, Benson Tower, 74 Hung To Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon Website: www.ia-technology.com

44 AWARDS

Panel

VERTOGREEN PLANTING CELL SYSTEM Eco-Green Group is one of the companies leading the development of Hong Kong’s vertical greening and green roof systems, aiming to gradually transform the concrete jungle into a lush and sustainable environment.

It has poured resources into researching and developing urban greenery for over a decade, providing greening design, supply, installation and maintenance services.

The Soilless Growing Media

Cell (Replaceable)

Cover

The company’s bestselling product is the VertoGreen planting cell system.

The system consists of panels on the wall with cell units inside, protected by covers that are fixed securely. This allows it to be weatherproof, ensuring safety for both indoor and outdoor environments.

Sustainability is at the heart of Eco-Green Group’s values, and its mission is to mitigate the urban heat island effect. The VertoGreen system is made from recycled plastic, and damaged plants are replanted for use in future projects by professional gardeners. The company has also developed a rainwater harvesting system for irrigation use, which can pair with an intelligent automatic irrigation system that uses sensors and computer systems to reduce irrigation frequency and costs. Thus far, Eco-Green Group has provided vertical and roof greening services for over 440 projects and has contributed over 115,000 square metres of greenery to Hong Kong.

ECO-GREEN GROUP LIMITED

JoJo Cheng (R) receives the Build4Asia Award 2020 trophy

The company has invented C4 Peat, a soilless growth medium that can be integrated into the system to create a better environment for plant growth while conserving irrigation water.

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ECO-GREEN GROUP LIMITED Unit 2, 2/F, Metro Centre II, 21 Lam Hing Street, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon Website: www.hk-egg.com

46 AWARDS

WEBER ECO TILE ADHESIVE SERIES Saint-Gobain Weber (Hong Kong) Building Material Co., Ltd specialises in the manufacture of industrial mortar products, including renders and decorative finishes, tile fixing system, floor screeds, technical mortars and waterproofing solutions. The new launched environmental friendly tile adhesive is designed for fixing wide range of tiles and stones, weberset TF eco and weberset TF eco plus exclusive patented formula uses new raw materials sourced from the recovery of industrial by-products to reduce CO2 emissions and the need to consume natural resources. Aligned with Weber brand signature 'we care', these adhesives benefits customer with 'Comfort Engineered which are creamier in texture, effortless to apply and less irritating to body skin, makes it become the easiest tile adhesive to apply in the market.

Alongside its products, Saint-Gobain Weber (Hong Kong) offers services such as technical support and training, providing specifiers, developers, and contractors with substantial support before, during and after project periods. It also prioritises sustainability, accelerating the uptake of Net Zero Carbon Buildings – with an eye to achieving 100% by 2050.

SAINT-GOBAIN WEBER (HONG KONG) BUILDING MATERIAL CO., LTD

Henrik Ip (R) receives the Build4Asia Award 2020 trophy

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SAINT-GOBAIN WEBER (HONG KONG) BUILDING MATERIAL CO., LTD Unit 801, 804-5, 8/F, Capital Centre, 151 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong Tel: +852 2866 9199 Email: info.hk@saint-gobain.com Website: www.hk.weber

48 AWARDS

HIPPOBOBO INDOOR PLAY From design to installation to maintenance, Gloss Mind Sports International Ltd. meticulously consider each step of the process when creating innovative equipment for children’s play facilities – Hippobobo.

This allows their team to deliver exactly what clients request and ensure that safety requirements are met – crucial when constructing playground equipment.

Products are bespoke to meet the needs of each client and are designed by a licensed playground safety inspector. The company is resolute in its ‘Play For All’ philosophy, meaning that all children can have fun with the facilities without obstruction. It also has an eye on education, with the equipment developing creative and logical thinking skills.

Committed to sustainability, the company’s products are made from recycled materials such as steel and plastic. They also offer a trade-in service, collecting used play equipment and donating it to NGOs. This reduces pressure on landfills and allows the company’s products to be enjoyed by as many children as possible.

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Ms. Kiki Lau (R) receives the Build4Asia Award 2020 trophy

GLOSS MIND SPORTS INTERNATIONAL LTD. Unit B6, 11/F, Block B, Mai Hing Industrial Building, 16-18 Hing Yip Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong Website: www.glossmind.com

50 AWARDS

ALUMINUM CEILINGS & CLADDINGS The manufacture of metal ceilings and claddings are the major focus of Bonder’s business, under the brand name - DRAGONzing®.

Their products can be found throughout the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa in such markets as Australia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa and Thailand. A focus on research and developments allows them to serve the market with high-quality products. The company is committed to continuous improvement and developing eco-friendly products. Bonder’s aluminum ceilings and cladding are factory fabricated out of aluminum and extrusions made from a minimum of 50% post-consumer recycled content. Bonder supports the use of zero VOC coatings, such as powder coatings and fluorocarbon powder coatings. In order to increase their commitment and support for environmental protection, the company has been a silver member of LEED for several years.

JEWEL CHANGI AIRPORT A major regional aviation hub and tourist attraction, the airport is a mixed-use development featuring more than 280 retail outlets, gardens, attractions, dining and a hotel - to support airport operations. For this stunning project Bonder fabricated double-curve panels to implement the creative and innovative ideas of the designer.

The team devoted all their experience and professional skills to achieve the desired outcome.

JEWEL Changi Airport - Singapore

Kai Tak MTR station - Hong Kong, China

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West Kowloon Govenment Offices - Hong Kong, China Ben Ma (R) receives the Build4Asia Award 2020 trophy

Flat E, 1/F, Fook Sing Factory Building, 2 Walnut Street, Tai Kok Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong T: 2396 0388

E: info@dragonceiling.com

W: www.dragonceiling.com

52 AWARDS

SMART COATING Kwong Man Kee is a reputable specialist contractor in the Hong Kong resinous car park flooring industry, having provided functional and decorative coating solutions in residential, commercial, interior and government sectors for decades. The company provides functional flooring services, which involve the application of coating products to provide a colorful, anti-slip, water resistance and hard-wearing surface. In addition, the company also offers ancillary products, including provision of waterproof concrete admixture and special spray granite products.

Kwong Man Kee has gained credibility for its high-quality workmanship and extensive knowledge of coating systems. It is a specialist licensed applicator of a worldwide leading resinous chemicals manufacturer, Flowcrete, of making use of its Deckshield, Flowcoat, Flowfresh, Rustik and Mondeco series to add beauty, function and durability to all new building and renovation projects.

With an appreciation that every project will have distinct challenges, the company is committed to delivering a balance of function, aesthetic appeal, safety and longevity. Its technical support and experienced installer teams work with customers from the conceptual stage through to completion and aftercare.

KWONG MAN KEE ENGINEERING LIMITED

Felix Lam (R) receives the Build4Asia Award 2020 trophy

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T: +852 2951 0988 E: info@kmk.com.hk W: www.kmk.com.hk

54 AWARDS

INNOGREEN SMART GREEN WALL InnoGreen Environmental Limited is a key pioneer of Hong Kong’s environmental protection industry. Founded in 2011, the company designs, produces, supplies and installs environmentally friendly products – namely, innovative greenery systems that are both forward-thinking and visually striking.

Combining technology and nature, the company’s Green Wall provides fresh air in a tranquil atmosphere and is simple to maintain when equipped with an auto-irrigation system. Their Smart Green Wall utilises state of the art technology to clear out pollutants within its air purifying system.

Climber Green makes use of climbing plants to present a treasure chest of greening variations, while the company’s lightweight, heat-insulating Green Roof proves itself an excellent solution for metropolitan areas.

Moss Green is a maintenance-free indoor greening solution that is noise-absorbing and fire retardant, though still presents a natural texture. The company also offers Artificial Green, a zero-maintenance and economical alternative that is lightweight and colourful.

Smart Green Wall Alfred Lee (R) receives the Build4Asia Award 2020 trophy

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Greenwall

Green Roof

INNOGREEN ENVIRONMENTA LTD.

Moss Green

Climber Green

Tel: 2915 2883 Email: info@innogreen.com.hk FB & IG: innogreen2011

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What to do about

the Hong Kong waterfront Over the years reclamation of land on Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour has resulted in new potential sites being made available with varied commercial and public realm potential. The current Approved Master Plan of the Hong Kong Central Harbourfront was published by the Hong Kong government in 2011; its focus was on the almost 11 hectares of public harbourside open space, set to form a green and unifying edge to the harbour via a major east-west pedestrian link along the northern shore of Hong Kong Island.

Public Domain activated with F/B (Site 4)

A

s we head into 2021, PRC Magazine (PRC) talks to Amarindra Rana, Design Director at Atkins’ Hong Kong design studio, about his vision for what could be possible for future developments at Hong Kong’s harbourfront, extending almost two kilometres from Hong Kong Island’s ferry piers through to Tamar Park and on to Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, and why.

Theatre along Harbour Front Promenade

Text: Elizabeth Dooley

Photos: Atkins

Krista Chan

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Site 3 Plaza connecting Star Ferry Piers to Statue Square

Elevated Pedestrian Link through Site 3 Rana said: “Hong Kong is without doubt one of the world’s most famous waterfront cities, thanks to the world-class view along the Victoria Harbour.

However, if you look at how some of the other famous waterfront cities capitalise on their assets, such as Sydney or Copenhagen, I think there is an opportunity for Hong Kong to up its game a notch. This is the reason for our visionary project. Our vision is to strike a balance between commercial viability, activation and public use in a bid to create a world-class vibrant, green and accessible harbourfront that is symbolic of Hong Kong and that we can all be proud of.”

“For ease of understanding, we have characterised the seven sites detailed in the government’s masterplan into three zones or precincts, first around the existing IFC, second around Tamar Park, and third around the Convention Centre. Taken together, these areas represent some of Hong Kong’s most valuable pieces of

real estate facing Victoria Harbour. Our aim when starting this visioning project was to work within the constraints of the masterplan,” he tells PRC. “It is also worth noting that Atkins’ multidisciplinary design and engineering team was the lead consultant for Central Reclamation Phase III and the associated roadwork for the Central-Wanchai Bypass. Our integrated design capabilities can ensure the viability of our vision.”

GREATER CONNECTIVITY THROUGH SITE 3 Atkins’ vision is heavy on Site 3, as at 157,400 square metres, it is the largest and has the most commercial potential. Citing the existing site condition of the Statue Square Corridor, Rana points to the fact that there is currently only one existing elevated pedestrian bridge connecting to IFC, Jardine House, Exchange Square and the Star Ferry Pier, one of the main and most historical points of commute from Hong Kong Island to greater Hong Kong. He also highlights the potential for façade uplifts with added F&B facilities and publicly accessible rooftop spaces, as well as low-density developments aligned along this corridor and designed to enhance the visual permeability to the harbourfront. The vision includes the creation of a new Ferry Pier plaza that will provide an indoor or shaded connection to Statue Square.

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Art Galleries (Site 6 & 7)

F&B Pavilions projected into Harbour Front

Public Domain activated with F/B (Site 4)

Public Park (Site 7)

Site Plan indicating the 1.5km long Public Domain, between IFC and Convention Centre “Our design vision for Site 3 is once again compliant with the master plan in terms of height limitations and overall allowed GFA. We would propose a flexible approach to the balance of retail and office space, as demand for these evolves coming out of the pandemic, and a future developer looking into this site may have alternative business models, which could also be jointly explored.

We have also taken into account the road connections at Lung Wo Road and Yiu Sing Road, and made it more connected with potential for drop offs and a public courtyard space, replacing the existing bridge. Where possible we have made connections on ground level as well as elevated pedestrian levels, which connect Statue Square into the plaza and on to the ferry piers.”

ATTRACTIVE PUBLIC REALM

For Rana, it’s a logical and feasible plan, subtle and humble in its approach, whilst respecting its vicinity, the sites surrounding it, the history of the development and what was previously proposed in the approved master plan – a vision of activated waterfront offerings, active ground planes and green courtyards.

Moving east we encounter a space that includes the vast, as-yet unprogrammed Tamar Park, which has sat empty for several years, a potentially great public space which is currently dominated by fast-moving traffic. Lacking the supporting facilities that residents and tourists alike would look for to make it a viable place to visit, the area is set to include the Tamar Central Government Complex, the new Legislative Council Complex and a large public open space referred to as the ‘Green Carpet’. For the government, its primary purpose is to create a civic core connecting to the waterfront, to include a diverse mix of public uses set around courts and plazas and shaded public spaces. For Atkins it marks an opportunity to provide an extension to the Civic Corridor, linking Tamar Park and a waterfront cultural plaza that includes a series of canopy structures to create a focal point and space for social gatherings, as well as a distinctive core that connects the waterfront promenade.

“I think it’s a really good example of what that space could be about - a big plaza space, connected well for pedestrians - a public domain encapsulated by a commercial entity. It’s possible that a commercial entity could maintain and brand it and ensure that the quality of that space is enough to generate monetary value for the developers as well as value to the people of Hong Kong,” he adds.

“Our vision is to create a new destination to attract people. We see the frontage of the harbourfront being broken down into little pockets of space where people can sit, relax and enjoy the view. It’s a very narrow site in front of a road with heavy traffic, so the smaller buildings we have proposed come in the form of rectangular container box buildings. Given their proximity to the Academy of Performing Arts, we want to use this

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Elevated view along Start Ferry Piers, demonstrating activated public domain along Central Harbour front

Site 3 – Largest Commercial Site, allowed Gross Areas

Site 3 – Re-distribution of Areas

Site 3 – Enhanced connectivity from Statue Square to Star Ferry Plaza

Site 3 – Design merged with the Public domain

space to promote the arts so they could be used to house art galleries. We have also included F&B pods that could project into the water to provide commercially driven and leasable spaces, along the lines of what you can see in Sydney and Melbourne, and we envision a space for an outdoor cinema and amphitheatre,” explains Rana.

ENHANCED COMMERCIAL VALUE Rana’s vision looks at activating the entire waterfront, with pockets of parks and integrated F&B. Site 4 plays a major role in adding F&B as a series of simple low-rise blocks, designed around public courtyards, activated with outdoor performances. It could possibly become another version of Lan Kwai Fong along the harbourfront, and balance commercial enterprises such as retail, SOHO, offices, galleries etc., with the public realm.

Next to Site 4 is Site 5, which offers the second largest GFA after Site 3.

Once again, in accordance with the approved master plan and guidelines, it is ideal for a commercially oriented development, including office space, hotel and supporting facilities. For Rana the landscape design facilitates a direct and axial connection from the waterfont promenade to this new development, and to the Citic Centre building and beyond, bridging over Lung Wo Road. The design of the site also ensures that the view of the harbour from the CITIC Centre is not obstructed and that connections from the plaza are maintained.

Rana says his primary motivation is to generate a dialogue between the developers, the government, and the public, with the ultimate objective to capture the great opportunity to strengthen the sense of pride and further cement Hong Kong’s world-class recognition in many ways.

“I see something that is elegant and serves its purpose. It is not our intention to create a new iconic building, but rather to propose something pleasing to the eye whilst being fully functional in line with the approved master plan. We believe that public space should be for the public and we believe this can be achieved easily by updating the design and redistributing GFA. Our vision is a design that is compliant with all major aspects of the master plan and we could like to restart the dialogue between developers, architects, designers and the public to bring the concept to reality. Once we can do that, everybody wins,” he concludes.

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Site 3 – Central Public Plaza

Site 3 – Entry along Yiu Sing Street

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Site 3 - Entry from Statue Square

Amarindra Rana, Design Director at Atkins, has been practicing architecture in Hong Kong for the past 10+ years. An avid promotor of high density, sustainable mixeduse developments, he is passionate about creating commercially viable, elegant and timeless architecture, that serves the community at large.

Contact: E: rana@atkinsglobal.com

Amarindra Rana

www.atkinsglobal.com

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