Feel the force
Authors
Citation
Hinge, v.39, 1997, pp. 21-33
Abstract
Hong Kong is well known for its skyscrapers - those tremendous office towers in Central which thrust ever further upwards, reaching higher into space. People flock from all over the world to marvel at these commercial projects which reflect the money and prestige culture that is the lifeblood of the place. But in reality, all their phallic macho posturing seems quite lame, when compared with the language of some of our industrial architecture.
In the true spirit of Hong Kong, industrial buildings here cross all boundaries of rationality and mediocrity - some are as big as a village, others have articulated trucks driving up to the tenth floor, while I/O (mixed industrial and office use) hybrids morph into bizarre downtown locations. This month, hinge celebrates the shocking beauty of some of the most 'remorselessly functional' buildings in existence.
Our quest to track down the big guns behind these buildings led us to talk to the likes of Foster Asia, Kwan and Associates Architects Ltd, Liang Peddle Thorp Architects & Planners Ltd (LPT), RMJM and Terry Farrell & Partners. Some are well known industrial warlords - it has been their meat and drink for many years; while others, whose work is more commercially orientated, have enjoyed changing the scenery.
(1) Hong Kong International Distribution Centre (HIDC)
(2) MTRC Siu Ho Wan Depot
(3) Kowloon Ventilation Building
(4) Connaught Road 275kV Substation
(5) CRC development
(6) Western Harbour Crossing
(7) Swire Coca-Cola HK Ltd
(8) HACTL SuperTerminal and Express Centre
(9) MTL Terminal Eight West
(10) Stanley Sewage Treatment Plant
(11) Tsuen Wan Salt Water Pumping Station
(12) Black Point Power Station
(13) Hong Kong Telecom Exchange
(14) Terminal Eight East
Description
Building Type(s): Industrial buildings
Subject
Type
Article
Format
Date
1997
Language
en