Building Enclosure in Hong Kong

9. The Lee Gardens

Plate 9.1 A study mode l of the triangular towe r illustrate s it s form relate d to the urba n fabric. THE LEE GARDENS Architectural Firm: Dennis Lau & Ng Chun Man Architects & Engineers (H.K.) Ltd. GENERAL Curtain wal l i s a favourite expressio n fo r mos t offic e buildings in Hong Kong. The Lee Gardens project i s a fifty-storey offic e building . The tower block is generated from a stable, triangular structura l plan . The podiu m has five level s and i t houses the main entranc e o f th e building. LOCATION The sit e i s in Causewa y Bay , a busy commercia l an d shopping distric t i n Hon g Kong . Th e fifty-store y building stands out among its neighourhood buildings . By using the curtain wall to reflect the sky, the building is made les s obtrusive i n the high densit y situatio n o f Hong Kong . ENCLOSURE The curtain wall is framed b y clear anodized aluminiu m frames. Ten millimetre-thick reflectiv e glas s is used fo r both vision and spandrel panels. Green laminated glas s is used to create som e green horizonta l stripe s o n th e elevation. At th e corner s o f th e triangula r pla n ar e semi circular projections finishe d wit h curved glas s 1 9 mm thick. Near th e top of the building, a large opening act s as an urban windo w i n the cityscape. At th e podium , ther e ar e glas s wall s fo r th e enclosure allowin g a transparency o f activitie s an d a continuous flo w o f spatia l feeling . Th e highes t glas s wall i s over 21 m supporte d b y a suspension system . The glazing is braced by glass fins forming a large glass surface. To complete the installation, a gondola syste m is built for maintenance . COMMENTS Modernity an d opennes s ar e enhance d b y the us e of glass. The reflectiv e propert y o f glas s i s used fo r th e tower whil e it s transparen t propert y i s use d fo r th e podium o f this building . 91 Building Enclosur e i n Hong Kon g . 1'iaic [ • • • • e n ' . .mmmm&jbL mmmu . j a sm jimmm * • j'mmmn • Plate 9.2 Installation o f the curtain wall and roof pinnacl e in progress. 92 The Le e Garden s Plate 9.3 Curtain wall installe d with the unitized system o n the steel structure. Building Enclosur e i n Hon g Kon g Plate 9.4 The completed curtai n wall system. 94 The Le e Garden s l f Plate 9.5 View of the buildin g from Hysa n Avenue — a glass wall for the tower. 95 Building Enclosur e i n Hon g Kon g Plate 9.6 The new 50-storey tower amids t building s i n Causeway Bay . 96 The Le e Garden s 11 1«»«* ir - • . ^ . ^ ^ S *' •4 : i " l " , M i l r a f ® » tsl * * . a 1 A 1 " I . gH H , . If '# f * • I ] * 97 Building Enclosur e i n Hon g Kon g Plate 9.7 A computer renderin g o f the lobb y space with the glass wall and granite columns . The Le e Garden s Plate 9.8 A computer renderin g o f the lobb y at night . 99 Building Enclosur e i n Hon g Kon g Plate 9.9 View of the podium from Yun Ping Road — granite and glass are used to give a modern prestigiou s look . Plate 9.10 View of the glass suspension system. 00 The Le e Garden s Plate 9.11 Details of various part s of the glass suspension system . 101 Building Enclosur e i n Hon g Kon g Figure 9. 1 Isometric o f the suspension glas s details. Architect: Dennis La...