HKIA Award PR 040607
An Award Win for RMJM’s University Building
The innovative new Centralised Science Laboratories building at The Chinese
University of Hong Kong, designed by RMJM, has won the 2006 Hong Kong
Institute of Architects Merit Award for Community Building.
The annual awards recognize outstanding design in Hong Kong. The jury
praised the Centralized Labs for setting out to be an icon against the
hillside landscape of the university campus. The HKIA also commended on
the experimental direction of the concept for the coloured façade.
The state-of-the-art laboratory facilities sit on a 2,600 square metre
footprint on a hillside overlooking Tolo Harbour in Hong Kong. Five of
the stories house over 70 laboratories purpose –designed for advanced
research by the Science and Medical Faculties, amongst a range of other
facilities, all under one roof.
The buildings unique façade curves to blend and complement the rolling
landscape whilst softening the impact of the building onto the hillside.
Inspired by the ‘periodic table of elements’ used in chemistry, the façade
tells a story about the buildings origins as a ‘high-risk laboratory’
for chemical and other lab-based research, whilst also becoming an iconic
focal point at the Campus entrance which can be seen from approach as
far away as Tolo Harbour. This southern facing façade also has an environmental
function, as its double glazing units, comprised of glass, argon and laminated
panes with colour films, have an insulating, heat-regulating and energy-saving
effect.
The Centralized Labs is the first building in Hong Kong that caters for
scientific experimental needs from day one of its design, complying strictly
with international standards. An innovative research building in terms
of safety, energy conservation and user-friendliness, from the choice
of construction materials and design of laboratory facilities, to the
lighting, airconditioning and exhaust systems, it strives to maximize
user safety and comfort while conserving energy. Its layout is also conducive
to interaction among different academic specialties and scholars.
With their expertise in leading edge technical research labs and advice
from their Cambridge office, RMJM has proven to be an architect that takes
full advantage of global collaboration whilst generating buildings that
are visually impactful whilst being subtly integrated into their existing
surroundings.
Chinese University of Hong Kong - Centralised Science Laboratories building
PR from RMJM:
The new Centralised Science Laboratories at Chinese University Hong Kong,
designed by acclaimed international architectural firm RMJM, are now complete.
The state-of-the-art laboratory facilities sit on a 2,600 square meter
footprint on a steeply sloping site overlooking the Tolo Harbour in Hong
Kong. It houses 77 laboratories for 10 academic departments, all under
one roof.
Its unique façade curves to blend and complement the rolling landscape
whilst softening the impact of the building onto the hillside. Inspired
by the chemistry “periodic table of elements’, the façade
responds by telling a story about its origins as a ‘high-risk laboratory’
for research in chemistry. Whilst also becoming an “iconic”
urban contextural focal point at the Campus entry which can be seen from
approach as far away as Tolo Harbour.
At the same time this southern facing façade has an environmental
function of regulating the ambient and solar heat gain, thus increasing
the thermal comfort of
the interior space. The double glazing units, comprised of glass, argon
and laminated panes with color fi lms, have an insulating and energy-saving
effect.
The labs within are grouped in the centre of the building while the surrounding
corridors benefi t from the changing natural lighting, creating a dynamic
and energy-efficient internal environment conducive to studies in a desk
area. With their expertise in leading edge technical research labs and
advice from their Cambridge offi ce, RMJM has proven to be an architect
that takes full advantage of their global collaboration whilst generating
buildings that are at the same time visually impacting and always subtly
integrated to the existing surroundings.
Centralised Science Laboratory Building, Chinese University Hong Kong
Client Chinese University Hong Kong
Site Area 2,600 sqm
GFA 11,000 sqm
Floors 6
Laboratories 77
Departments 10
Environmental Regulated solar heat gain, energy saving materials
Hong Kong Buildings
- descriptions of key architecture
Hong Kong Guide
The Peak Hong Kong
Chinese University
of Hong Kong architects : RMJM
Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank
Hong Kong Building
Hong Kong Airport
: Chep Lap Kok
Hong Kong Architecture
- by Architect
Comments or building suggestions / photos for the Chinese University
of Hong Kong page welcome: info@e-architect.co.uk
Chinese University Building
- page : adrian welch / isabelle lomholt