Page 31 - Building Journal - September 2016

PUBLIC FACILITIES

M+ (scheduled completion 2019)

Developing the district lower levels, generous access will be
A development plan for the district, based on provided to the park and other West Kowloon
well-received Foster + Partners conceptual Cultural District facilities, alongside a public
plan, was approved by the government in resource centre, theatres, retail and dining,
January 2013. Overlooking the magnificent and back-of-house functions. Of particular
Victoria Harbour, the district will begin to note, Herzog & de Meuronwho are also
take shape over the next decade. known for their Tate Modern museum
The Xiqu Centre, M+, Freespace and M+ in London, Beijing’s Bird’s Nest stadium
Pavilion, will be developed as a first batch and other notable designs have firmly
of facilities aiming for opening to the public anchored the M+ building on its reclaimed-
in 2016 and beyond. The construction of the land site, excavating a new “found space”
Xiqu Centre, starting with a ground-breaking for large scale installations from around the
ceremony in September 2013 signifies the existing Airport Express train tunnel that runs
beginning of the development project. underneath. M+ is scheduled for opening in
A Lyric Theatre, a Medium Theatre, a 2019,
Centre for Contemporary Performance
and Resident Company facilities will be Xique Centre
developed as a second batch of facilities, The Xiqu Centre will be a world-class arts
while the remaining venues located in the venue specifically built for xiqu (Chinese
central part of the district will be built when opera) performances, and it is also a
the integrated basement is completed. centre for the production, education
and research of this unique art form.
M+ museum for visual culture In December 2012, the West Kowloon
Following an international competition, Cultural District Authority announced the
Swiss architecture firm of Herzog & de appointment of a joint venture partnership
Meuron, working with Hong Kong-based of Bing Thom Architects and Ronald Lu
TFP Farrells and Ove Arup & Partners HK, & Partners Co Ltd to design and deliver a
has been selected to design the M+ building. world-class facility.
The approximately 60,000 sq m gross floor The venue will provide a platform for
area M+ building is a strikingly slim, semi- the Xiqu communities to interact, develop,
transparent vertical plane, housing education produce the finest examples of Cantonese
facilities, a public restaurant and museum and other Chinese opera performances,
offices. attract new audiences, educate and
The building will rise atop an impressive collaborate with and host international
horizontal slab offering a diversity of well- cultural programmes.
considered gallery spaces. At ground and Occupying a prime site of 13,800 sq

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