Building Enclosure in Hong Kong

15. Bishop Lei International House

Figure 15. 1 The east elevation ha s a lantern-like appearanc e with stonelik e spray paint . BISHOP LEI INTERNATIONAL HOUSE Architectural Firm: Wong Wah Sang Architects as Consultant with All Arts Limited GENERAL This is a case study o f a high-rise, 24-storey block . In addition, it has two semi-basements using conventional local buildin g technique s t o complet e th e externa l elevations. The difference lie s in the exploitation o f the plan for m an d featur e detail s t o mak e a n otherwis e standard hoste l design a special building with it s own identity. LOCATION Located within a large site adjacent to various properties owned by the Roman Catholi c Church of Hong Kong, this buildin g i s intended t o giv e a dialogu e wit h th e existing Cathedra l o f th e Immaculat e Conceptio n o n the site . Motifs an d detail s o f th e ol d Cathedra l ar e 'symbolized' int o the building an d these have becom e various functional parts . ENCLOSURE The east elevation facin g th e harbour develop s from a staggered an d symmetrica l plan with an axis along the east-west direction . This layout allows a sort of corner window for the rooms extending the spatial feeling and allowing bette r view . Window s ar e designe d i n ful l height from ceilin g to floor wit h green tinted glass and fluorocarbon-coated aluminiu m giving a look of curtain wall. This is achieved b y recessing the structural bea m from th e buildin g envelop e t o allo w a 'shallow ' appearance fo r th e spandre l portio n whic h i s finishe d with a green colour stone-lik e spray paint . The wes t elevatio n facin g Robinso n Roa d ha s limited views so the design of the enclosure is kept simple and focused o n the entrance. An archway finished wit h granite mark s bot h th e vehicula r an d pedestria n entrance t o th e building . However , th e focu s o f thi s elevation i s a wall relief artwor k a t the central axi s of the elevation . Thi s i s formed b y usin g corne r glaze d tiles as a relief agains t th e backgroun d o f plain whit e glazed tiles (95 mm x 45 mm). The nort h an d sout h elevation s ar e finished wit h white glazed tiles. Adhesive is used for th e installatio n base to provide flexibilit y an d stron g adhesio n du e t o building movement . I n this respect , movemen t joint s are provided a t every storey of the building . Details o n th e enclosur e ar e abstracte d fro m religious images from th e Cathedral. For example, the metal grilles covering the air conditioners ar e made of aluminium bars, fluorocarbon coate d in a green colour and designe d i n pattern o f triangle s an d circles . Th e roof mas t reflect s th e pinnacle s o n th e existin g Cathedral. Th e entranc e archwa y i s relate d t o th e Cathedral buttresses . COMMENTS These ar e numerou s desig n opportunitie s create d b y using local conventional building techniques. This study illustrates how artwork can be combined with buildin g functions an d components. While the building does not obtrusively stan d out from th e surroundings, it retains an individual identity . 163 Building Enclosur e i n Hon g Kon g Figure 15. 2 Typical pla n impose d on section showin g guest room s o n the typical floo r an d the podium functions . Architect: Wong Wa h San g a s consultant wit h Al l Arts Limite d Project Location : 4 Robinson Road , Mid-Levels, Hong Kon g Materials for Enclosure : Reinforced concrete structure, green tinted glass with fluorocarbon-coated aluminiu m frames, stone-like spra y paint , and whit e glazed tiles Completion: 1995 164 Bishop Le i Internationa l Hous e Plate 15. 3 View o f Bisho p Le i...