Building Enclosure in Hong Kong

12. The British Consulate-General

Plate 12.1 Canopy for the entrance to the Britis h Council. THE BRITISH CONSULATE-GENERA L Architectural Firm: Terry Farrell & Partners GENERAL This case study is a building complex consisting of the British Consulate-General , th e Britis h Counci l an d a residential quarters. This enclosure is important to give an impression to the public of the 'British' outlook, yet at th e sam e tim e respondin g t o th e sit e context. Th e complex is erected from a simple geometrical plan form. This internal orde r generates the external identity . LOCATION The sit e i s adjacen t t o a grou p o f high-ris e offic e buildings and hotels in Admiralty. The curved site allows a goo d exposur e o f th e buildin g frontag e actin g a s a public face for visitors. The 10-storey height is relatively low compared wit h the adjacent high-ris e buildings . ENCLOSURE To express 'Britishness', the facade is designed as a neat, detailed an d discipline d composition . Th e bas e use d solid granite, a white crystal granite curved to suit the road an d bush-hammere d a t tw o course s an d han d chiselled at every third course. Open slots form a pattern on thi s scree n wall . Furthe r up , mor e glazin g i s incorporated with the main wall finished wit h a darker grey granite. Near th e to p par t o f the building , mor e glazed windows are incorporated. Thus the design ha s a progression o f more glazing at the top. The mai n entranc e t o th e consulate-general i s an important place by which the public enter the building. This is marked b y a portal frame o f white crystal bushhammered granit e infilled wit h glazing and aluminiu m capping. Th e othe r entranc e t o th e Britis h Counci l i s framed b y Kirkstone slate with a n aluminium canopy . COMMENTS The enclosur e wit h a layere d desig n tha t graduall y changes it s content s fro m soli d t o voi d give s a n expressive progressio n an d a sens e o f dept h o n th e elevation. 125 Building Enclosur e i n Hon g Kon g Plate 12. 2 View of the residential bloc k from Justic e Driv e — a simple geometric patter n generates a disciplined design. 126 The Britis h Consulate-Genera l Plate 12.3 View of the Britis h Consulate-General wit h a layered elevation. 127 Building Enclosur e i n Hon g Kon g Plate 12. 4 View of the Britis h Consulate-Genera l fro m Justic e Drive . 128 The Britis h Consulate-Genera l 129 Building Enclosur e i n Hon g Kon g Plate 12. 5 View of the entrance to the Britis h Consulate-General — the granite porta l framed the glazed panelled door . 130 The Britis h Consulate-Genera l S M S 11 •• * g1? *I * B II 2 m 2 E iJ . g aaas;5i a a aa %\\ Ill Plate 12.6 View of the British Council from Suprem e Court Road. 131 Building Enclosur e i n Hon g Kon g Plate 12.7 Interior view o f the Britis h Counci l showing skylight . Plate 12.8 Interior view o f a corner window o f the 1/ F British Council. 132 The Britis h Consulate-Genera l Figure 12. 1 Layout of the Britis h Counci l showing the internal courtyard . Architect: Terry Farrell & Partner s Project Location : Supreme Cour t Roa d an d Justic e Driv e Admiralty , Central , Hong Kon g Materials for Enclosure : Granite panel s i n variou s texture s o f bush-hammered , polished, hand chiselled and honed finish, slate cladding, clear glazing with natura l anodized aluminium frame s Completion: 1997 133 Building Enclosur e i n Hon g Kon g Figure 12. 2 Isometric o f th e entranc...