Building Enclosure in Hong Kong

17. The Hong Kong Stadium

Figure 17. 1 A three-dimensional stud y of the form o f roof cover . THE HONG KONG STADIUM Architectural Firm: HOK Sports Facilities Group, Kansas City, Missouri, USA, and HOK International (Asia/Pacific) Ltd., Hong Kong GENERAL This i s a cas e stud y o f a larg e spa n megastructur e forming th e fabri c roo f cove r o f th e sport s stadium . This stadiu m provide s 4 0 00 0 seat s surroundin g a n international-size footbal l pitch . LOCATION The site is at the lower part of a valley with tall buildings close by and adjoinin g othe r sports field an d facilities . The creation of excessive noise can pose environmental problems. ENCLOSURE With ancho r point s extendin g beyon d th e stadium , a pair o f elegan t arche s spa n 24 0 m fro m th e prim e structure t o answer th e client's brief fo r unobstructe d view. From thes e main arches , secondary trusses spa n to the rear wal l o f the uppe r terrace . The structure o f the basi c fram e i s a stif f pi n supporte d porta l fram e and the terrace is formed a s a reinforced concret e fram e for spannin g the secondary trusses to the main arches . The structura l element s ar e basicall y circula r hollo w steel sections. The roof surfacing is a fibre-reinforced Teflo n fabri c with a cable support system . This fabric i s translucent under strong daylight or evening floodlights. Floodlights are installe d o n th e mai n structura l arch . Abou t 30 0 metal halide floodlights o f 180 0 W are used to give an illumination of 1400 lux to the football pitch . This can be tune d dow n fo r variou s occasions . Th e genera l seating is lit up by other floodlights on the roof structur e giving an illumination o f 300 lux . The design of the acoustics mainly focuses on sports use an d enhance s th e perceptio n o f th e crow d nois e without exces s reverberation . Th e semi-ope n roo f enclosure allow s nois e t o escap e fro m th e stadium . Integrated wit h lif e safet y an d fir e alar m systems , the sound syste m consist s o f satellit e cluste r typ e loudspeakers locate d underneat h th e front edg e of th e roof system . COMMENTS Structure an d buildin g service s can b e integrated int o the buildin g enclosur e t o produc e a n elegan t design . This cas e stud y ha s bee n a formidabl e technica l challenge representin g a n extraordinar y desig n expression o f an enclosure . 187 Building Enclosur e i n Hon g Kon g Figure 17. 2 Layout pla n for the Hon g Kon g Stadium. 1. office building roof below 2. ramps below 3. entry plaza below 4. insulated glass entry pyramid below 5. access road below 6. ramps below Architect: HOK Sports Facilities Group, Kansas City, Missouri, US A an d HO K Internationa l (Asia/Pacific) Ltd. , Hong Kon g Project Location : Eastern Hospita l Road , Causeway Ba y Materials fo r Enclosure : Fibre-reinforced Teflon fabric roo f surfac e supported b y steel arc h and tension ties, reinforced concrete stadiu m Completion: 1995 188 The Hon g Kon g Stadiu m Photo by courtesy ofHOK Plate 17. 1 Study mode l of the stadium. Photo by courtesy of HOK Plate 17.2 View of the stadium unde r construction . 189 Building Enclosur e i n Hon g Kon g Plate 17. 3 Part view of the roo f and seating — steel truss supports the Teflon sheeted roo f as well as the lighting system. 190 The Hon g Kon g Stadiu m Plate 17.4 Part view o f the stadium. 191 Building Enclosur e i n Hon g Kon g I : Plate 17.5 View of the Hon g Kon g Stadium se t in a valley overlooking Causewa y...