Building Enclosure in Hong Kong

10. The Centre

Figure 10. 1 Model of the tower — a curtain wall i s used to enclose the building. The groundfloor spac e i s opened u p b y concentratin g th e developmen t mas s o n the 73storey tower . THE CENTRE Architectural Firm: Dennis Lau & Ng Chun Man Architects & Engineers (H.K.) Ltd. GENERAL This i s an exampl e o f a curtain wal l syste m use d i n a high-rise buildin g o f 7 3 storeys buil t to withstand a n inward wind pressure of 4.3 kpa and outward pressur e of 8. 5 kpa . LOCATION The sit e i s i n Central , a bus y an d crowde d are a fo r people as well as for buildings. The building is designed as a tall structur e t o fre e th e ground-floo r spac e fo r street-level activities and to afford a splendid se a view for th e top floor tenants . The latter i s mainly from a n economical consideration fo r bette r market value. ENCLOSURE The curtain wal l i s made o f reflective laminate d glas s and natura l anodize d aluminiu m frames . Thi s curtai n wall i s designed t o contai n a lighting syste m o f self illuminating horizonta l strip s installe d i n the frames . These will form a lighting effect of gradual accumulation at the roof top . In order to facilitate futur e maintenanc e work , a n automatic cleaning gondola syste m has been designed . This incorporates computer-controlled robots which are able to clean the entire exterior o f the building . COMMENTS Advances in technology can generate more sophisticated building enclosure s whe n environmenta l control , lighting effec t an d automatio n o f maintenanc e ar e designed as one total system. Such combination has the benefits o f th e variou s supportin g system s an d thu s saving excessive material cost and resources . 105 Building Enclosur e i n Hong Kon g _ l MLm Uj MWmWLML. 77T • KMIOI I .^m Am, ('••III UIIU I ^ . j ^ i n ^ i i ^ » i j J . » C ! a a » X8ES 3 fcaWHMW W O sririii^'iii iiTI • M l ! • » -:t l I P ,^«T ! . i l l l l . i : k 1 1 1 | » M 8 i«*. * « !•** • • r i » * s - i * tfclti * * ' . v ? i l l * * . * t » M M « i a r » § i l l s S l l f i t ' * • • ( . * * « » Ml • ' • • • • • - * n u t I I I I . K ^ ?S. II ttf'l 111 ft; " " ,] W W f T 19 R| 1_ i I I Jilt It sr • i J T l i I iH . * »i ' W 1 P I i f i V I I • K M ., *••• • «< • m:... • f a l l • •* Ml'If !;:• t MMM :* n 9 1 MR U ™ PWIP -J. I ; r M i l t» i ll : ; r » * I B Hfi rsHT Ml liBI Xife :;rrK IBI.Hft Iii !' m ; pBK ; * * U n.iiiiT,- H H M I M Bm il li IIill! Ill# • ,: I H S! l If * r r • ! • it i F * i r m IM u* -- •' y H fJ H<•'-' " in r• K K pr • r • i n u1 " f|[ f • • • I ! p£jJ li r • *M •J[ * ^ WN I ^ W Ml 7*» ... Pr# m A 1 Plate 10.1 Steel structur e unde r constructio n — the stee l structur e allow s 'top-down ' construction . 106 The Centr e Plate 10.2 View of the steel structure with building s i n Central Distric t an d Central Plaz a in the distance. 107 Building Enclosur e i n Hon g Kon g \ Plate 10.3 Four tower cranes on top of the steel structure manoeuvr e works on site. A total of 730 days is scheduled to buil d the structure. 108 The Centr e Plate 10.4 The site has limited accessibility s o many components hav e to be prefabricated for assembly o n site. An example i s the unitize d curtain wall system . 109 Building Enclosur e i n Hon g Kon g Plate 10.5 To speed u p construction, installation o f the curtain wall goe s along with the steel structure. 110 The Centr e Figure 10. 2 Isometric o f the curtain wall details . 1. 1 2 mm thick tempered glass panel 2. extrude d aluminium transom section 3. extrude d aluminium mullion section 4. fir e stop 5. structura l steel I beam with fire proofing spray 6. 5 0 mm thermal insulation 7. sil l finish 8. aluminium facing plate 9. finishe d floor 10. false ceiling Architect: Dennis La u & N g Chun Ma n Architects & Engineers (H.K. ) Ltd. Project Location : 99 Queen's Roa d Central, Hong Kon g Materials for Enclosure : Curtain wall system of reflective glass and aluminium frame s incorporatin g lightin g strips Completion: Scheduled at the end of 199 7 111 Building Enclosur e i n Hon g Kon g m 5?S* } Plate 10.6 The curtain wall installatio n i n progress. 112 The Centr e Plate 10.7 The curtain wall installatio n i n progress. 113 Building Enclosur e i n Hon g Kon g Figure 10. 3 Part section of the tower top . 114 ...