Project in Detail
West Kowloon Cultural District Conceptual Plan
Hong Kong
Rocco Design Architects Ltd, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
2011
World Architecture Festival 2011 - Category Winner
Pak Chung
The proposed Conceptual Plan for the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) aspires to evoke a social energy conducive to the spirit of exploration and discovery, hence the essence for long-term sustainable cultural development for Hong Kong. The programmatic disposition of the master plan is structured on a 3-layer organization:
1) The Green Terrain at the south is a continuous undulating green lawn by the waterfront filled with leisurely retail and diners;
2) The City Link at the north fuses with the existing neighbourhood and accommodates spaces for living, working and all the commercial activities;
3) The Cultural Core in the middle unifies all the visual and performing arts facilities to promote participation by the locals as well as the overseas.
This planning framework addresses the need for a cultural ecology to provide education, incubation, commercial supports and opportunities for production. The master plan concept focuses on promoting interactivities and synergies between different components of the new District. Overlaid onto the 3-layer framework is an urban street-grid extended from the adjacent neighbourhoods to confer a social and historic tie with the surrounding old neighbourhoods. A series of 3 dimensional public spaces each being strategically paired with a cultural venue evolve into a social network of diversity, inclusivity and interactivities to celebrate people’s cultural life prompted by the architectural settings. The Green Terrain on the south gently slopes down to fuse with the waterfront promenade on the south to reflect a 3-dimensional pedestrian traffic and circulation system. A Harbour Park is proposed at the western end which is a free-for-all outdoor open space with spectacular panoramic view of the Victoria Harbour. The Conceptual Plan aims to offer a low carbon sustainable community not just for artists but for the general inhabitants of the new district.
Lead Architect »
Rocco Design Architects Ltd
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Professional Credits »
Client / Developer
West Kowloon Cultural District Authority
Hong Kong
Cultural Advisors
Desmond Hui, Jane J. Zheng, Leung Man Tao, Philip Dodd, John Howkins and Edward Lam
Hong Kong
Engineering Transportation and Sustainability Cons
Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Ltd.
Hong Kong
Environmental Engineer
Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Ltd.
Hong Kong
Financial Evaluation Consultant
GHK (HK) Ltd
Hong Kong
Illustration
Siu Sai-Shun
Hong Kong
Land and Property Consultant
Professional Property Services Ltd., CBRE
Hong Kong
Performing Arts Planning Consultant:
Positive Solutions
Australia
Planning and Landscape Design Consultant
EDAW (Ltd.)
Hong Kong
Public Art Consultant
Freeman Lau, Kurt Chan, Michel De Boer
Hong Kong
Public Artwork
Anthony Gormley, Hung Keung, Kwok Mang Ho, Michael Lau, Wong Tin Yan, Ho Siu Kee
Hong Kong
Publication Design
CoDesign Ltd
Hong Kong
Quantity Surveying Consultant
Davis Langdon & Seah
Hong Kong
Structural Engineer
Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Ltd.
Hong Kong
Theatre Planning Consultant
Theatreplan LLP
United Kingdom
Traffic Consultant
MVA Hong Kong Ltd.
Hong Kong
Visual Arts Facilities Planning Consultant
Lord Cultural Resources
Canada