Chinese University of Hong Kong Building

HKIA Award 4 Jun 2007 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 Information 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 Chinese University of Hong Kong - Centralised Science Laboratories building images / information from RMJM 040607