The Sky Rises

Radical ArchitectureTing Fung Liu

Sham Shui Po, 113,747 pp/km²

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65

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Public Housing Estates

1. Cronin Garden2. Lai Kok Estate3. Yee Kok Court4. Lai On Estate/Yee Ching Court 5. Wing Cheong Estate6. Fu Cheong Estate7. Nam Cheong Estate

Vertical disengagement has been an ideological strategy many avant-garde designers explore to maintain formal and programmatic purity often to evade different aspects of reality or degradation of context.

The core ethos of this thesis is to make plans for the future development of a sustainable hyper density Hong Kong. This takes place in the near future where the economy is booming once again where the city government concentrates its efforts on welfare for its 10 million inhabitants in an effort to sustain its economic growth.

High density living is a key for mass transport systems which is the current scenario in Hong Kong.

Pocket of old structures that are in desperate need of renewal are ideal to establish new core structures that would allow a new typology to surface and float above the existing city, relieving stress and restrictions at ground level; paving way for the future.

HONG KONG

NEW YORK CITY

LONDON

* The modal shares above refer to trips to work only.

Urban selection codeHeight

Buildings under 30m Buildings over 30m Podium structures Combined

Any building below the height of 30m will be selected to form the foundations for the new structure. The low height structures will generally be aged and in desperate need of repair. Unless it is of cultural significance, the building will be taken down and provide valuable space for the initial stage of the strategy.

35m

The viewBuildings with low height (generally old buildings) will have its view impeded by newer buildings and its position within its urban block..

ShadowsBuildings that receive little sun exposure due to surrounding buildings (also linked to low building height) These buildings will be priority in the selection process.

TransportBuildings closest to public transport will be vital to the urban strategy for for providing convenient public transport to the users/inhabitants of the development. Mass urban transport is key to a sustainable high density city where the population is at a level where it is efficient.

Street/building ratioWhere street to building ratio is significant, it creates deep canyons where little to no wind can penetrate. This results in uncomfortable temperatures and poor air quality at street level. By building a structure that can catch wind at upper levels and channel them to lower grounds can help alleviate poor ventilation at street level.

15m

40m

ProgrammeThis will be classified as the function of the building. Depending on the function, its’ programme could either be incorporated and improved in the new development if it is to greatly benefit society.

Plot RatioBuildings that take up the whole plot should be reduced to 25% to provide a public /buffer zone.

Site coverageSites that take up the entire plot (which applies to almost all buildings) consider reducing with new build to make more space for pedestrians and vary street form to encourage wind flow.

PodiumPodium structures are scattered throughout the site and city that usually form the base of residential buildings that tower above the base which usually consists of shops that serve the residential above.

PedestrianBuildings that are situated in streets that are pedestrianised are ideal for for the new development as the new structure will become a hub for mass transportation of people.

ConditionMany structures at the site are in poor condition with many dating back to the 1930’s. Re-development of the site has been planned for a long time but little has been done. Phasing out obsolete buildings that fulfil previous criterea to become the foundation of the new development is key.

ConstructionMuch of the site’s structures are built of concrete with little to no isulation due to the tropical climate. the mass concrete also contributes directly to the heat island effect. Buildings that has high surface area with direct exposure to the sun can be replaced with something of higher solar radiation resistant.

North

Scale - 1: 4000

Sites

NE Axis SE Axis Combined Axis Possbile connections 1 Possbile connections 2

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