PRC Magazine #85 ( architecture | building | construction )

2016 Issue 85

Pacific Rim Construction

BENOY creates a pulsating new green heart for Guangzhou at PARC CENTRAL

贝 诺绿化新猷 天 环 鱼 跃 广 州

Inside:

Hong Kong / PRC $50

Arquitectonica and Guangdong Holdings inspire at Zhujiang Plaza French tech giant at the heart of China’s burgeoning rail network Atkins' Landmark81 will be South East Asia’s tallest tower Forested mountains inspire design of D.P.J. Partners’ Club House Aedas-designed Olympia 66 a major lifestyle destination in Dalian

ISSN 1684-1956 977168495009

85

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報導 3

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Oct / Nov 2016

Issue 85

www.prc-magazine.com Cover image of Parc Central, Guangzhou, courtesy of Benoy

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Berlin

Architectural excellence live 16 - 18 November 2016, Arena Berlin, Germany World Architecture Festival is where the international architectural community meets to celebrate, learn, exchange and be inspired. WAF includes live judging, a gallery of the WAF awards finalists, three thematic conference streams and an exhibition. Plus exclusive fringe events including parties and tours.

Attend the world’s largest architecture event.

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AEDAS’S JIEFANGBEI BOOK CITY DESIGN TAKES A BOOKISH VIEW OF CHONGQING

The Chongqing Xinhua Bookstore Group’s Jiefangbei Book City mixed-use complex, designed by Aedas, will comprise an elevated cultural plaza, shops, homes, offices and a hotel in the Jiefangbei business district in the heart of Chongqing. The development will have a gross floor area of 153,980 m2. The Aedas design puts the Xinhua Bookstore at the core of the podium, and notionally integrates aspects of books and aspects of Chongqing. The stepped architecture reflects the geography of the city. A grand express escalator connects three distinct plazas with the street and with green terraces.

The development is due to be completed in 2020.

For more information, see www.aedas.com

LATEST ANTI-HEAT STRESS UNIFORMS FOR BUILDING WORKERS GET CIC PLUG

The Construction Industry Council (CIC) has been showing off the latest technology and materials used in the newly invented anti-heat stress construction uniforms, which are meant to make working in hot climates more comfortable and safer for construction workers. “The CIC has always been committed to promoting the care and safety culture in the construction industry,” says council chairman Chan Ka-kui. Chan says Hong Kong construction workers worked outdoors for long hours in a hot and humid climate, so the CIC had been working closely with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University to develop the anti-heat stress construction uniforms, hoping to make them more comfortable and reduce the chance of the wearers suffering heatstroke. The CIC has streamlined the process of procuring the uniforms. Buyers can order them direct from the supplier and pay for them direct. More information at wwwcic.hk

HK OFFICE RENTS TO BE WORLD’S HIGHEST FOR YEARS, KNIGHT FRANK FORECASTS

Rents for offices in tower blocks in Hong Kong were still the most expensive in the world in the second quarter of this year, and rents for prime office space in the city will probably remain the world’s highest for three to five more years, according to Knight Frank’s newly published Global Cities:The 2017 Report.The report looks at the property markets in 31 cities around the world. It says Hong Kong,Tokyo and Singapore are among the five most expensive cities to own prime office space. Hong Kong has the lowest grade-A office stock of the main financial centres. Investment by mainland Chinese enterprises accounts for more than 60% of office sales in Hong Kong so far this year.

Negative interest rates have reduced the expectations for returns, so drawing capital into real estate. Despite the volatile economic environment, technological innovation keeps driving demand for property. Fast-growing cities are taking centre stage in the digital and creative revolutions, and in many such cities the supply of commercial and residential real estate is failing to keep pace with demand. The report forecasts that between the fourth quarter of last year and fourth quarter of 2019 rents for prime office space will rise by 27.5% in Sydney, 19.3% in Melbourne and 19.2% in Shanghai; and that rents will fall by 14% in Singapore, 4.4% in Beijing and 1.1% in Kuala Lumpur. See www.knightfrank.com.hk for more information.

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ZHA-DESIGNED GENERALI TOWER RISES TO FULL HEIGHT IN MILAN

WHAT ON EARTH IS A COURTSCRAPER? BIG’S VIA IN NEW YORK IS THE FIRST

A new word has been coined to describe New York City’s VIA 57 West, designed by BIG, the Bjarke Ingels Group, for the Durst Organisation. The word is “courtscraper”. The 32-storey, 77,100m2 structure is a hybrid of the European courtyard building and the American skyscraper, combining the density of a high-rise with the communal space of a perimeter block. The building contains 709 homes built around a lush, 2,044m2 garden.

VIA occupies nearly a full city block at the corner of West 57th Street and the West Side Highway. It has uninterrupted views of the Hudson River Park and the waterfront.

The garden at the heart of the block is designed by landscape architecture firm Starr Whitehouse. It has lawns, 80 newly planted trees and 47 species of native plants.

Construction began in 2011 and is due to end this autumn. This year the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat gave VIA its annual award for the best tall building in the Americas.

See www.big.dk for more.

The builders have topped out the 170m Generali Tower in Milan, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, at 44 storeys. The Generali Tower and two other towers are the heart of the CityLife redevelopment. The CityLife master plan, drawn up by ArchA, is meant to regenerate what was once Milan’s international fairground. The redevelopment opens the site to year-round public use by giving it parks and other civic amenities, housing, shops and offices, all served by subway trains. A public piazza and shopping area will form the base of the Generali Tower. The 39 storeys of offices above will accommodate 3,200 Generali staff. The studio developed a double-façade system for the tower, with inclined structural columns that give more usable floor space, with a view to LEED Platinum certification. Sun-deflecting louvres, flanked by glazing that includes ventilating registers to draw outside air through the cavity, provide an efficient environmental control for each floor. Visit www.zaha-hadid.com for more information.

SCHMIDT HAMMER LASSEN COMPLETES SHANGHAI START-UP INCUBATOR JOB

SCHOOLCHILDREN VISIT OLD DISTRICTS TO LEARN ABOUT CITY’S URBAN RENEWAL

More than 80 primary school pupils took part in a programme of visits to older parts of Hong Kong arranged by the Urban Renewal Authority over the summer months.

The visits were meant to prompt the children to consider the importance of urban renewal and to look for ways to improve the quality of life in the city. The children visited URA projects in Central and Western District, Wan Chai and Kwun Tong. They also visited the Energising Kowloon East Office. The climax of the programme was the display at the Urban Renewal Resource Centre of entries in a competition among the pupils to design posters inspired by the visits, depicting the themes of green buildings, environmental sustainability and the importance of urban renewal.

More information at www.urec.org.hk

Schmidt Hammer Lassen architects have finished the transformation of an office building in Shanghai into an innovation incubator for hightechnology start-ups. The 1,977m2 building is in the Caohejing Hi-Tech Park.

The conversion is a pilot project by the park. The Schmidt Hammer Lassen architects proposal was to clad the rendered concrete facade in a corrugated and perforated aluminium skin coated with polyester powder. The new façade lets the most daylight in, gives the occupants the best view out, allows greater insulation and hides the newly integrated services paraphernalia.

Inside, the proposal was to create a new atrium leading through the middle that gives better views and lets in more daylight. For more, visit www.shl.dk

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10 DESIGN WINS CONTEST TO DESIGN CR LAND’S HENGQIN MIXC WORLD

ROYAL PHUKET MARINA’S MASTER PLAN PROMPTS INTEREST IN CONDO RESALES

10 Design has been selected from among four architectural practices around the world to design China Resources Land’s (CR Land’s) Hengqin MixC World in Zhuhai. CR Land, in cooperation with Macau’s New Fenghong Real Estate Development and China Resources Trust, are investing 50 billion yuan in the project. The development will have a gross floor area of over 2 million m2. Construction was due to begin in September.

Hengqin MixC World will be a large mixed-use development with shops as its focus, and will make a dynamic new city centre. A central square will be a place for cultural events meant to draw people to a Duty Free Mall, high street shops and places to eat and drink. Visit www.10design.co for more information.

Royal Phuket Marina’s real estate broker says three of the marina’s freehold condominium units were resold recently, in what is usually the quiet season for property deals in Phuket.

The transactions follow the announcement in July of a new master plan for Royal Phuket Marina.The plan envisages hotels, a beach club, a convention centre and resorts, including a large resort for families anchored by a water park.“Interest in the freehold Aquaminiums and Marina Apartments has skyrocketed,” said Royal Phuket Marina’s managing director, Michael Ayling. “This real estate is prime location on the waterfront overlooking the award-winning marina and, with the planned future facilities and resorts, the value of this real estate is set to increase significantly. It is this value increase, especially when compared to other Phuket properties, that has delivered three recent resales and the strong pipeline of interest.”

More information at www.royalphuketmarina.com

HYATT REGENCY PHNOM PENH HOTEL TO BE CHAIN’S FIRST IN CAMBODIA Hyatt Hotels Corp says an affiliate and Chip Mong Group have reached agreement on the management of a Hyatt Regency hotel in Phnom Penh, which is expected to open in 2020. The Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh will be the chain’s first in Cambodia.

The establishment will have 250 rooms, a fitness centre, a spa and a rooftop swimming pool and bar with views of the Royal Palace and the Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers. It will be near Phnom Penh tourist attractions such as the National Museum and the Royal Palace, and many cafes, restaurants and art galleries will be close by. The hotel will serve authentic food and drink.

The Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh will set out to attract weddings, banquets, meetings and exhibitions. More information at www.hyattregency.com

RETHINKS OF WILKHAHN’S CHASSIS CHAIR HONOURED AT FURNITUREMAKER’S PARTY

NZ OFFICE BUILDING, SCHOOL AND HOMES RECOGNISED FOR THEIR SUSTAINABILITY An office building and a Maori immersion school gained 5 Green Star ratings, and eight new homes gained high Homestar ratings in time for the New Zealand celebration of World Green Building Week. Bayleys House in Auckland was given a 5 Green Star Design rating.

Its sustainability features include a double-glazed façade to let in as much natural light as possible and help keep the temperature inside right; an energy monitoring system; rainwater storage, LED lighting; low-flow water fittings; and parking space especially for vehicles used by car pools. The second stage of Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Whangaroa in Matauri Bay, Northland, was given a 5 Green Star Education Built rating. Eight new homes in Housing New Zealand’s Richardson-Howell development in Mount Roskill, Auckland, were each given a 6 Homestar rating. Their sustainability features include good insulation and double-glazing; mechanical ventilation in the kitchens and bathrooms; energy-efficient lighting; and low-flow water fittings. More information at www.nzgbc.org.nz

The winners of Wilkhahn’s Design Your Own Chassis Competition 2016 were announced at the German maker of office furniture’s Oktoberfest Party, held at its showroom in Wan Chai on September 29. Designers had been asked to submit their own renditions of Wilkhahn’s Chassis multipurpose chair. A panel of judges made up of end-users and project managers decided that the most creative yet functional designs were the Hola Projects entry, called Silverback; the Joe Ho and Team entry, called ‘Emperor Chair’; and the half AND half Studio entry, called Flair. The Oktoberfest Party drew a good crowd for a fine evening of networking.Wilkhahn’s next event, Sushi and Sake night, will be in its Hong Kong showroom on 22 November.

More information at www.wilkhahn.com

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LEAD 8, GOETTSCH PARTNERS DESIGN MIXED-USE COMPLEX FOR SHENZHEN

PMDL’S SIEM REAP DEPARTMENT STORE USES CULTURAL REFERENCES AS LURE

Chicago architects Goettsch Partners and Hong Kong multidisciplinary architecture and design studio Lead 8 have designed a five-building, 320,000m2 mixed-use complex for the Qianhai district of Shenzhen.The development, a project by Horoy Qianhai International, will have two towers of class-A offices, a five-star hotel, 50,000m2 of shop space and two buildings containing serviced apartments. One office tower will have 62 storeys. As the building rises, the 45° corners will slope inward and widen, and the top is shaped like a shallow V. The other office tower will have 37 storeys and contain 55,870m2 of space. Two of the building’s corners will be at 45° to the sides, like the other tower. The office towers will have a similar façades. The hotel, to be part of the Conrad chain, will have 298 rooms and landscaped roof gardens along its western side. The rooms will have floor-to-ceiling windows giving grand views. The 50,000m2, five-level shopping complex will connect the office and residential buildings. More information at www.lead-8.com

Architects and interior designers PMDL Architecture + Design have completed a new department store in Siem Reap in Cambodia for retailer of luxuries DFS Group. The department store, called T Galleria by DFS, Angkor, is near the Angkor Wat UNESCO World Heritage Site. PMDL and DFS Group worked together to develop a shopping environment full of cultural references.These include wall and column sandstone carvings made by local artists Artisans d’Angkor, traditional handmade encaustic tiles and a ceiling installation inspired by the colours and other aspects of the region. More than 8,000m2 of shop space surrounds a two-storey atrium.

More information at www.pmdl.com.au

CLEMENT LAU ASSUMES CHAIR OF RICS hoNG KONG BOARD The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has appointed Clement Lau as the chairman of its Hong Kong board. Mr Lau’s two-year term began on September 1.

He was previously vice-chairman of the RICS Hong Kong board. Mr Lau is the head of development and valuations of Hongkong Land’s commercial property group. Before, he worked for the Hong Kong Lands Department and the Airport Authority Hong Kong. The board gained three new members on September 1. They are Philip Chen, the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s director designate of property; Dave Hallam, Arcadis’s head of business advisory services in Hong Kong and Macau; and Rita Wong, JLL’s international director of valuation advisory services.

More information at www.rics.org

PROPERTY INVESTMENT AT HOME,ABROAD ENGAGES MINDS AT MIPIM JAPAN FORUM Japanese investment abroad and foreign investment in Japan were the focuses of the second MIPIM Japan, a forum for people concerned with real estate in Japan and around the world. The conference, held in Osaka on 8 and 9 September, drew 2,000 delegates from 24 countries, among them senior executives of real estate companies in Japan and overseas, investors and politicians. They included 250 important figures in investment companies, financial institutions, asset management enterprises and local governments. Japanese Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Keiichi Ishii told the conference: “I hope MIPIM Japan will provide opportunities to deepen urban development and real estate partnerships between Japan and the world.”

FIRST TOM DIXON EXHIBITION IN KOREA AT 10 CORSO COMO SEOUL THIS MONTH British designer Tom Dixon is presenting his first exhibition in South Korea in October. The show, Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, is at 10 Corso Como Seoul, a shop that offers design, art, music, cuisine and culture. Dixon is exhibiting his full range of products and some pieces never seen in public before. The show comprises a gallery containing three installations and a pop-up shop where visitors can buy the latest home collection. “This felt like a great opportunity not just to show the work that we are doing at the moment but to also show a bit of context in terms of how I became a designer, and also some experiments that we are working on at the moment that nobody has seen yet. Korea, as a place with extraordinary history and a real interest in the future, is the perfect country to tell this story,” says Dixon.

More information at www.tomdixon.net

LAND PRICES BOOST CONFIDENCE IN HK HOUSING MARKET, JLL SAYS The market for land sold by the government in Hong Kong has picked up in recent months, contributing to greater confidence among buyers of housing, according to JLL’s latest Hong Kong Residential Sales Market report.The report says six of the eight lots for housing auctioned fetched more than expected. Notably, Gingerlily Investments bought a site in Tuen Mun for HK$6,800ft2, 70% more than expected. JLL says this could be a sign of the restoration of the confidence of developers in the outlook for the market, but could also suggest that the land market has become more competitive. The report says estimates made before the auctions may have been too low because the land sales market lacked lustre at the start of the year, so making the prices eventually paid set seem surprising. “With the focus currently on mass residential projects, we expect the luxury market to gain a greater share of the limelight in the coming months, as some new projects such as Mount Nicholson on The Peak, 38 Inverness Park in Kowloon City and St Moritz in Kau To should soon be launched onto the sales market,” says JLL regional director of capital markets Henry Mok. “The level of buying interest for these projects, however, remains to be seen.”

Read more at www.jll.com.hk

報 導 13

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CITIZENM EXPANDING IN ASIA IN 2017 WITH HOTELS IN SHANGHAI,TAIPEI

URBAN LAND INSTITUTE NAMES NH SEEK AS ITS ASIA-PACIFIC REGION CHAIRMAN The Urban Land Institute (ULI) has a new chairman of its Asia-Pacific region, having given the post to Ngee Huat Seek, chairman of Global Logistic Properties and former president of GIC Real Estate. Dr Seek will hold the AsiaPacific chair for a two-year term, which began on July 1. He is a director of Brookfield Asset Management Canada and of Chongbang Holdings (International), a senior adviser to Frasers Centrepoint and chairman of the National University of Singapore’s Institute of Real Estate Studies. The ULI is an interdisciplinary research and education institute with more than 38,000 members dedicated to leadership in real estate and land use, and to creating thriving communities worldwide.

More information at: www.uli.org

HK AMONG THE MOST SUSTAINABLE CITIES IN ASIA IN ARCADIS LIST CitizenM says it intends to open hotels in Shanghai, in the Hongqiao MixC development, and in Taipei, in the North Gate area. The Dutch chain says both hotels are due to open early next year. CitizenM chief executive Rattan Chadha said: “We look forward to working with our Asian brand joint venture partner, Artyzen Hospitality Group, to open the region’s first citizenM property in Taipei next year, with Shanghai to follow shortly afterwards. Both are vital, gateway cities for us to establish regional presence and bring the cutting-edge citizenM experience to the dynamic Asian market.” CitizenM also means to open more establishments in Paris and New York. The chain has just opened another hotel in London, near the Tower of London. The new establishment joins citizenM hotels on Bankside in London, and in Glasgow, New York, Paris, Rotterdam and Amsterdam. More information at www.citizenm.com

HKIS CONFAB FOCUSES ON KOWLOON EAST AND SINGAPORE SMART CITY EXPERIENCE Over 300 people attending the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) annual conference on September 10 were edified by insights into the development of Kowloon East and reviews of successful case studies of Singapore’s smart city developments. “The government will be using Kowloon East as a pilot area for the study of smart city development, with the (L to R) Sr Lau Chun Kong, President HKIS, Mr Paul Chan aim to transform Hong Mo-Po, GBS, MH, JP, Secretary for Development Govt. HKSAR, Kong into a sustainable Sr Dick Kwok Ngok Chung, HKIS Vice-President community,” says Hong Kong Secretary for Development Paul Chan Mo-po. HKIS president Lau Chun-kong said of Kowloon East: “Its smart city blueprint will help us formulate the plans for Hong Kong’s future development in terms of urban planning, transportation and better use of scarce urban space.”

More information at www.hkis.org.hk

CUNDALL APPOINTS ANDREW MARKS AS OFFICE DIRECTOR FOR HONG KONG International multi-disciplinary engineering firm Cundall has made Andrew Marks director of its Hong Kong office. Mr Marks has worked for 16 years as a chartered electrical engineer, in the Asia-Pacific region and in Britain.

He returns to Hong Kong after working in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, where he oversaw the CSA Building Services Consulting Engineers technical team and the firm’s deliverables in Southeast Asia. In his new position in Cundall, Mr Marks will expand the Hong Kong office’s mechanical, electrical and public health service, its specialist lighting service and its sustainability service. Cundall is working on the HK$35.9 billion border crossing at the Hong Kong end of the KongZhuhai-Macau Bridge, providing mechanical, electrical and public health and sustainable design services for about 100 ancillary buildings on the 130ha island reclaimed from the sea. More details at www.cundall.com

Hong Kong is the most sustainable city in Asia after Singapore and Seoul, according to the Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index, which covers 100 cities around the world.The most sustainable city in the world is Zurich, while Singapore is ranked second, Seoul seventh, Hong Kong 16th and Canberra 18th. No North American city is among the world’s 20 most sustainable cities. The index is compiled for Arcadis by the Centre for Economic and Business Research. The index takes into account social sustainability, environmental sustainability and economic sustainability. Hong Kong’s infrastructure, economy and welleducated people put it in second place in the profit sub-index.“Hong Kong’s achievement of becoming one of the most sustainable cities in Asia is testimony to government and industry successfully working together over the decades,” says Arcadis Pearl River Delta city executive Francis Au. Visit www.arcadis.com for more details.

The Warehouse Hotel set for December opening on the Robertson Quay, Singapore

The boutique hotel has been converted from a heritage property and is the inaugural hotel of The Lo & Behold Group, a local hospitality firm. The building, converted from an iconic 1895 warehouse – known as a ‘godown’ – is situated along an infamous trade route that connected Asia and the Straits of Malacca. In the early 20th century, the premises were recognised as a hotbed of activity for secret societies, business deals and underground spirit distilling. Today, The Warehouse Hotel is a meticulously restored, 37room destination, with an emphasis on heritage and local culture.

Designed by award-winning Singapore agency Asylum, the hotel features spacious and welcoming rooms, designed in muted tones, with many offering double-high ceilings, peaked roofs, and original industrial details.The rooftop infinity pool is an additional haven from which to enjoy riverbank views and submerge in the neighbourhood’s mysterious history. The lobby and reception area serves as a communal space and comprises the hotel’s signature restaurant and bar. Using décor and furnishings reminiscent of the past, such as traditional rattan and natural leather, it offers an industrial feel and lively atmosphere for visitors and locals alike. The Warehouse Hotel opens in December 2016.

For more information visit www.thewarehousehotel.com

報 導 15

Inspired by

Vincent Van Gogh

info.flooring.hk@forbo.com www.forbo-flooring.com

16 EVENTS

26-29 October, 2016 Eco Expo Asia

AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong

Visit PRC Magazine Booth no.

16-18 November, 2016

29-30 November, 2016

World Architecture Festival

MIPIM Asia 2016

Arena Berlin, Germany

Grand Hyatt Hotel, Hong Kong

6-B26

The MIPIM Asia Property Leaders Summit gathers toplevel real estate professionals from all sectors to build partnerships, gain industry insight and discover the most outstanding projects through a world-class programme dedicated to property investment and retail real estate. www.mipim-asia.com

1-3 December, 2016 The 11th edition of Eco Expo Asia is organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, with co-organisation by the Environment Bureau of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The expo is widely recognised by the Hong Kong, Chinese mainland and various international government bodies and trade associations, and is a gateway to Asia’s growing green market. The 2015 edition attracted a record-breaking 320 exhibitors and 12,385 trade visitors from 97 countries and regions. www.ecoexpoasia.com/ex/58 exhibitions@hktdc.org

InnoDesign Tech Expo

HKCEC, Hong Kong World Architecture Festival is your annual dose of the latest in architectural through, practice, ideas and activism. Be inspired, gain knowledge and make contacts with more than 2,500 of your peers and potential clients.

WAF is where the world architecture community meets to celebrate, learn, exchange and be inspired. www.worldarchitecturefestival.com

HKTDC InnoDesignTech Expo is a world-class exposition of innovations, presenting the latest practical technologies and design solutions to help trading, manufacturing and service sector to enhance their capacity to supply world markets. During the exhibition, local and international exhibitors feature branding and marketing strategies to upgrade business and enhance brand image. It also provides seminars and forums addressing hot topics for innovative business solutions. www.hktdc.com/fair/innodesigntechexpo-en

29-30 Nov.

2016 Grand Hyatt Hotel

Hong Kong

mipimasia.com

Join the Property Leaders’ Summit in Asia Pacific A 2-day global leaders’ summit to revisit property fundamentals and rethink retail property perspectives in Asia Pacific.

REAL ESTATE DISRUPTION: TAKE A STEP AHEAD

Expert-led panels and keynotes Networking events Prestigious Awards Gala dinner

mipimasia.com

Everyone who pre-registers online will receive one entry in the Lucky Draw contest. The pre-registration system is available in October 2016.

Don’t miss this opportunity to sign up early and receive a chance to win your trip to R+T Asia 2017!

Follow R+T Asia and subscribe the newsletter at www.rtasia.org

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EQUIPMENT

20 INTERVIEW

Laurent Guyot

Christian Gregoire

Text: Joe Wyatt 翻譯 : Jasper Lau Images: Thales Group

Something for everyone

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Nature’s space

Green ribbon

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32 FEATURE

a compelling addition to Guangzhou's cityscape.

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w w w.dpj - p ar tn er s .c om

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Film for all the family

Asia’s first custom cinema for children opens in Indonesia DP Design redefine the movie-going experience for families International cinema company Cinemaxx has recently unveiled Asia’s first family focused movie theatre in Karawaci, Indonesia. in a distinct departure from the traditional cinema experience, the Cinemaxx Junior space incorporates designated play areas both outside and within the screening area to provide a cinematic experience which blends visual entertainment and physical activity for children and their guardians.

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Lights, camera, distraction At traditional cinemas, parents are forced to contend with restless children in a hushed environment, often at the expense of their own enjoyment. In contrast, as a dedicated family space with the play element fully integrated, at Cinemaxx Junior there is no need for strict silence and focused attention. Instead, children and their families are free to ascend the theatre’s yellow “Wall-o-lla” climbing tree, slide down one of the four wall-mounted tube slides and plunge into the colourful ball pit at the foot of the screen without disturbing the average cinema-goer.

At full capacity, the cinema can accommodate up to 106 people, which translates to approximately 30 families per 3-hour session. The first hour is dedicated to play, with children free to roam throughout both the external play area and the screening room itself. The film begins at the top of the second hour, with children encouraged to return to the seating areas, which range from more conventional cinema seats to plush bean bags, reclining lounge chairs and sofa beds. Children can cuddle up with their parents for the duration of the movie or elect to rush back into play, bounding onto the giant trampolines or swinging on the flying fox. This progressive approach to play, the lollipop tree interior décor and the emphasis on tactility and social interaction creates a fully immersive environment for kids that is ripe for exploration.

A cohesive, custom environment With bonding time such a rare commodity amidst hectic city life, having an experience that can be enjoyed by parents and children alike is a precious resource. With this in mind, DP Design, the interior designers for the project, have created a vibrant environment specifically designed to cater for the needs and desires of children and their families. Spacious nursing and changing facilities are provided, along with a number of bathroom fixtures installed at child-friendly heights. Considering the high level of activity expected in the screening area, the sound and lighting design has been adapted, with a lower volume but a general increase in illumination through a mixture of diffused cove lighting, wide-angle downlights and nondirectional track lighting to create a safe but easily navigable space.

The seamless blending of play and cinema at Cinemaxx Junior is an innovative and memorable mix, one sure to be enjoyed by all.

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A Sci-fi cinema in Shanghai explores the nature of science, reality and the universe.

Shanghai has long been an epicentre of culture on the Chinese mainland, recognised for both its seminal status in the pantheon of Chinese cinema and its reimaging of Western beliefs and ideals in a vividly eastern, Chinese context. There is thus nowhere more fitting for ‘White Futura’, the second of two cinema theatres opened by China Film Cinema in 2016, to be unveiled.

Alexander Wong Architects, the creative minds behind the project, have created odes to science-fiction and the extra-terrestrial with both ‘White Futura’ and its sister cinema ‘Beyond Future’. Each exemplify contrasting aspects of the same shared design philosophy. Designers took inspiration from the world of classic and contemporary film, exploring themes found similarly in The X-Files, The Matrix and Eyes Wide Shut, as well as theories from science and philosophy and existentialist questions surrounding outer space, nature, mythology and the genesis of the universe.

Built earlier this year in Wuhan, China, ‘Beyond Future’ is based conceptually on outer space, as suspended structures adorn the walls and ceiling, representing the absence of gravity outside the confines of our atmosphere. The colour scheme is a deep black punctuated with dark hues, representing the infinite darkness or ‘dark matter’ of outer space.

‘White Futura’, in light of this, is designed to be the very opposite; the Tabula Rasa, the Ground Zero, with the dominance of its stark white colour scheme symbolising the void at the origin of our universe. The smooth curves of the walls and seating boast that iconic sci-fi sleekness, whilst the hanging light structures are inspired by white magnolias, the city flower of Shanghai as symbols of a pioneering spirit. These magnolia-like installations have however been morphed, abstracted and deconstructed to resemble spacecrafts at the exact moment of their explosion. This harsh dichotomy between the natural and the synthetic takes its inspiration from the opening of the 2004 Olympic Games, when a Minoan sculpture from Ancient Greece was shown erupting into fragments revealing greater treasures within; a metaphor for the origin and evolution of western civilisation.

Tunnel structures connect central corridors to theatre screens, representing time tunnels which it is believed can be used to traverse the universe. Herein lies a central theoretical inspiration for ‘White Futura’; the space-time continuum. An enhanced understanding of the nature of this continuum may be key to unlocking our greater understanding of our universe’s origin. This in turn is related to String Theory and the Butterfly Effect, which contends that everything throughout space-time is intimately related and occurs as a consequence of each other. The folded spiralling surfaces and curved white lighting of the String Box Office within White Futura exemplify these ideas.

White Futura’s striking design aesthetic and the transcendent philosophy behind it have combined to create an ambitious avant-garde space that is truly out of this world.

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