Site Area : 5,068 m2
Building Area : 4,564 m2
Total Area : 40,900 m2
Location : Central Market, Central, Hong Kong
[Description]
For this project, KMJ+A have selected Hong Kong, one of the most densely populated cities in the world. Our focus has been on how to implement sustainable interventions in Central, a district on Hong Kong Island. This district is characterized by its rows of skyscrapers, which include office buildings, shopping malls, and residential apartments, all of which have contributed to rapid economic growth over the past century. However, Hong Kong is currently grappling with a severe housing shortage and a low percentage of green and common spaces. To address these problems, we have proposed a new urban model that builds upon the existing rooftops.
The Choice of Crisis Architecture
The Central Market, Hong Kong’s first wet market, is situated in the heart of the city. This market building showcases several architectural styles throughout its history, with the latest BAUHAUS structure having been completed in 1938. Essentially, the market is a four-story reinforced concrete structure housing 200 booths. Its architectural hallmark is the spaciousness, featuring a central court, high ceilings, and window walls that allow for natural light and ventilation. In 1994, the market’s western second floor was transformed into the ‘Central Escalator Link Alley Shopping Arcade.’ This pedestrian corridor is connected by two footbridges to the Hang Seng Bank New Headquarters Building and the Central Elevated Walkway, and another footbridge leads to the Central-Mid-Levels escalator. Consequently, the market building is a key public node, dynamically linking Central and Mid-Levels. The building holds historical, architectural, and urban significance, sparking a longstanding debate on whether to demolish or refurbish it. The most recent decision favors refurbishment.
Solution as ‘Urban Vertical Green Node’
Our new urban model seeks to connect the existing Mid-Levels Escalator and the Central Elevated Walkway, extending upward to our project’s higher levels. This strategic location, the starting point of the Central-Mid-Levels escalator, serves to integrate the existing urban fabric with new programs. The reimagined market building will play a pivotal role as a public node to enhance urban circulation. Throughout the new pathways, pedestrians can enjoy the sight of various plants and flowers growing, while common farming facilities offer an opportunity to experience agricultural culture amidst the bustling city life.
Coexistence and Separation of Two Circulations
The strategic planning challenge lies in reconciling residential, public, and commercial programs within a harmonious coexistence, while effectively separating residential and public circulations. To achieve this, two cores for public programs are positioned on the east and west sides, with four cores designated for residential programs at each corner of the market building. Pedestrian routes, public, and commercial programs are planned along the building’s outer boundary, with residential programs centered around the internal court. As a result, private and public program users will occupy the same building without infringing on each other’s spaces.
Residential Programs as Livable Community
In planning residential spaces, we considered the demographics of the local area. Central has a significant number of single-person and young couple households. Accordingly, our design mixes single and two-person households with four-person units. Common farming facilities for residents are interspersed among the units to foster natural interaction and provide cultural experiences.
Consideration of Sustainability
The existing central market leverages natural daylight and ventilation through its large court, high ceilings, and window wall. Similarly, our new building extends the central court vertically and includes operable windows on the north and south sides for each residential and retail unit. Wood structures are exclusively used for the vertical expansion above the rooftop. The building is also designed to collect rainwater through drainage systems under the wooden floors and at the roof’s edge for use in farming.
High Technology of Wood Structure (Kerto LVL)
To construct a tall wooden building, we are utilizing Kerto-S LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) beams as the primary structural system. Thanks to the benefits of Kerto LVL (lightweight, stiffness, quick installation, noise control, long spans, strength, fire resistance, etc.), it is also employed in various other architectural elements. For instance, Kerto-T LVL studs are utilized for long vertical louvers and wall studs, Kerto-Q panels for differently-sized vegetation containers as well as load-bearing external and internal walls, and Kerto-Ripa floor elements are referred to in the development of the floor system.
The City Above The City Int’l Competition for Architect Group
Result : Second Prize
Designed by KIM MIN JAE