Harbour Kiosk on Avenue of Stars, HK commercial building development, Architecture entry images
Harbour Kiosk in Hong Kong
Tsim Sha Tsui Harbourfront Small Food Shop, Hong Kong design by LAAB Architects
19 Dec 2019
Design: LAAB Architects
Location: Tsim Sha Tsui Harbourfront, Hong Kong
Harbour Kiosk, Avenue of Stars
Designed by LAAB Architects for the Avenue of Stars, a promenade along the waterfront that celebrates the Hong Kong film industry, Harbour Kiosk is a unique kinetic architecture that activates the surrounding public space while paying tributes to the action movie the local film industry is famous for.
Inspired by the local market stalls in Hong Kong, which expand and engage with the public when they are open and return to their compact and secured form when they are closed, Harbour Kiosk automatically transforms its “gate” into “awning” during the day and returns to its compact shape at night.
There are 49 robotic arms behind the profiled timber fins. Their movements magically perform the cinematic transformation. The wave generator system also moves the timber fins in waves throughout the day to resonate with harbour waves and to establish an emotional connection between the people, the architecture, and the surrounding natural environment.
The original brief only asks LAAB to design a 10-square-meter food kiosk. However, as a food kiosk in the public space, it also has the mission to serve the public. To achieve its public mission, LAAB merged the food kiosk with a large M&E machine room nearby and gained a 17-meter long wall space to accommodate public functions, including a counter table, a vending machine, drinking fountains, info panels, and planters. Harbour Kiosk also provides electricity for the entire Avenue of stars and contains all the panels that control the light show that happens every night at 8 pm.
The façade features three strata of profiled timber slats, which not only conceal the machine room doors but also accommodate different types of public functions inside the wavy surfaces. They also create a dynamic flow around the kiosk façade, which result in the subtle changes of profiles, tapering makes the member appear slender and less massive.
PEFC certified red balau was used as façade materials. They were treated with exterior grade oil finish for durability against UV and termites. The length and profile of each timber fin were precisely made with digital fabrication.
Architects, engineers, and makers at LAAB developed 4 prototypes in 2 years to optimize the parametric design and the kinetic system to ensure that the structure and design can withstand the typhoon season in Hong Kong.
The brief asked LAAB Architects to design a 10sqm food kiosk for the Avenue of Stars in Hong Kong, a promenade along the waterfront that celebrates the success of the Hong Kong movie industry.
The challenge was to design a kiosk that resonates with the natural environment and to activate the public space while paying tribute to the movie industry.
LAAB Architects designed a kinetic architecture to perform cinematically for its visitors. The architects also used timber as a facade to resonate with its natural surroundings. To enlarge the kiosk’s public functions, we redefined the brief by combining the 10sqm food kiosk with a 30sqm machine room nearby, gaining a 17-meter long wall space to provide different public functions.
The sustainability features are Red Balau, a PEFC certified wood was used as the facade.
Harbour Kiosk Hong Kong – Building Information
Design: LAAB Architects
Core LAABers: Jesse Hao, CK Wong, Otto Ng
Supporting LAABers: Alfred Pun, Winson Man, Kelvin Lam, Anderson Chan, Reagan Lee, Humphrey Keung, Catherine Cheng, Yip Chun Hang
Project size: 40 sqm
Completion date: 2019
Photography: LAAB Architects
Harbour Kiosk by the Entrance to the Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong images / information received 191219 from LAAB Architects
Location: Tsim Sha Tsui Harbourfront, Hong Kong, eastern Asia
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