IMAGE: KAI TAK SPORTS PARK PROJECT
CLAD news
Hong Kong’s ambitious plans for US$32bn sports district
T
he developers of a 28 hectare
50,000-capacity stadium that can
sports complex in Hong
host international sporting events,
Kong have released new
a public sports ground, an indoor
renderings showcasing the
sports centre, a 60,000sq m retail
project, which is being considered
and dining area and more than
for approval by the territory’s
eight hectares of public open space
Town Planning Board (TPB).
with landscaped gardens, jogging
Located on the former site of
trails and a waterfront promenade.
works have already taken place. The TPB is reviewing a request to
the Kai Tak airport in South East
Local design practice Leigh
Kowloon, the Kai Tak Sports Park
& Orange and Australian sports
the stadium can have a retractable
has previously been described
specialists Jackson Architecture
roof that also “adds visual interest.”
by the government as “the most
have led the design of the scheme.
important investment in sports
The Environmental Protection
relax building height restrictions so
The park is designed to boost public engagement in sport and activity
The government believes the park will promote health and activity,
infrastructure in recent decades”.
Department have backed the
while supporting elite athletics and
Plans for the project include a
project and pre-construction
attracting international events.
IMAGE: MIR
Verdant Taikoo Place park will offer escapism from frenetic city life
C
onstruction has begun on a large-scale public space in central Hong Kong, designed by landscape architects
Gustafson Porter + Bowman, which will bring dense tropical vegetation and flowing water features to the heart of the concrete jungle. The 6,400sq m project is being developed as part of the HK$15bn (US$1.9bn, €1.8bn, £1.5bn) Taikoo Place scheme being overseen by Swire Properties in Quarry Bay. The developer is demolishing and rebuilding two office towers and adding an elevated walkway designed by Hugh Dutton Associés. For the park, the landscape team are planting lush vegetation and 70 trees – including 53 of a native species grown to raise awareness of Hong Kong’s spiritually symbolic
Taikoo Place is a cohesion of work, enjoyment, culture, and nature. As landscape architects it is a privilege to be able to transform such a large space between existing and new buildings Sibylla Hartel, Gustafson Porter + Bowman partner
ranging from small intimate places around water, where people can gather and socialise with friends
Fung Shui woodlands
and colleagues, to more open areas suitable for events such as jazz
sculpted through 3D modelling
concerts and outdoor markets.
to allow the water to “move in
The largest of these spaces, Taikoo Square, is designed to
exciting ways” through the site. The park will be defined by
create the impression of a series
bands of brown and white granite
of terraces and is typified by two
extending into the surrounding
large longitudinal pools connected
streetscape and Taikoo Place tower.
Fung Shui woodlands. The public
by a cascade and a small water
space will form a sequence of areas
table. Water features will be
34 CLADGLOBAL.COM
The park will evoke Hong Kong’s spiritually symbolic
The entire project is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.
CLAD mag 2017 ISSUE 2