Page 51 - Building Journal - June 2015

HKIA AnnuAl AwArds 2014

Design Concept
this project is one of the first batch
of revitalization scheme launched by
development Bureau, to revitalize the
former Lai Chi Kok Hospital into new
Jao tsung-i Academy.
the site is a Grade iii historic site. it
includes around 20 numbers of scattered
historic buildings grouped in 3 zones
and connected by new lift towers and
lifting platforms. the Lower zone is
where the Jao tsung-i exhibition hall
located. the Middle zone consists of
cafe, studio, theatre, information and
recreation centre. the upper zone is
guesthouse.
the heritage value of the site is
preserved by respecting the historical
setting, revealing and preserving
character defining elements including
Chinese fairface red brick, Chinese tiled
pitched roof, etc.

Jury Report
the jurors appreciated the sensitive
architectural treatment of the Jao tsung-i
Academy renovation. it was appreciated
that the project team used the existing
bricks to repair the damaged parts of the
building complex and chose to expose
the old red brick walls with careful
consideration for the insertion of a
contemporary design for a glass canopy,
making minimum disturbance to the
historical building while introducing
a new component using glass and
steel. the landscaping of the whole
site was considered to be particularly
successful, as well as the planning of
the internal circulation for exhibition
purposes. the unique philosophy of the
academy has been well understood and
has given an opportunity to introduce
social enterprise services to its overall
programme. Although it was felt that
the design of the hotel accommodation
in the commercial wing of the project
was perhaps not as inspired as the rest of
the scheme, the jury felt that this project
nevertheless serves as a good example of
adaptive re-use of historical buildings.

Building Journal 49