Vertical Garden

HONG KONG SCIENCE MUSEUM FACADE DESIGN

Building Fact

  • Project type : Facade Design
  • Status : Concept Design Published

Design Concept

In densely populated regions like Hong Kong, a craving for fresh air often lingers, even when you find yourself strolling through tree-lined streets. The reason for this desire is the ever-present towering buildings that densely populate busy districts. As architects, we are often faced with the challenge of mitigating this discomforting sensation. While the solution may not be immediately apparent, we aim to address this issue in our competition project for the Hong Kong Science and History Museum. Our proposal revolves around the concept of using plant-based façade design to create a museum complex that is not only human-friendly but also environmentally sustainable.

When you visit the current site, you can easily experience this discomfort due to various factors. One contributing factor is the lack of a central square or common space that can serve as a focal point. The viaducts leading to the museum complex obstruct clear views and can leave visitors confused about the main entrance. To locate entrances, one must rely on way-finding signages, which can disrupt the flow of arrival. Additionally, the diverse types of surrounding trees appear somewhat random, resulting in an imbalance and disharmony with the existing museum complex. Lastly, the varying colors of the existing buildings may contribute to a sense of disconnection between the museum structures and the surrounding natural environment.

To address these concerns, we propose a façade system comprised of climbing plants and polycarbonate panels. These climbing plants will seamlessly integrate with the existing vegetation around the site, creating a monolithic color tone and ambiance that offers comfort and relaxation. This natural color scheme not only brings the soothing hues of nature but also promotes fresh oxygenated air, making the museum complex a truly welcoming and breathable space. Additionally, the surface covered by the façade plants will help reduce the urban heat impact caused by the reflection of building surfaces. The use of polycarbonate panels will add to the comfort of the space by introducing a soft and gentle atmosphere with its color. The translucency of this material will provide an ever-changing visual experience for those observing the museum buildings from the outside, while diffused daylight will brighten the interior space, reducing electricity consumption during daytime hours.

Draped in vertical vegetation, the five existing museum buildings will harmoniously coexist with the three new additions. The overall color scheme of lush green, coupled with the refreshing air provided by the Vertical Garden, will result in a naturally friendly, sustainable, breathable, and pedestrian-friendly museum that benefits both visitors and the local community.

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