University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong
In January 2006, Ayers/Saint/Gross, with the international team of Leigh
and Orange, Urbis International, and HKK Associates was invited to submit
planning concepts for the expansion and future growth of the University
of Hong Kong. Founded in 1911, the University of Hong Kong is the oldest
institution of higher education in the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region. As the only major institution of English language education in
China, the University of Hong Kong has long been an interface between China
and the world. The Centennial Master Plan aims to build upon this historical
role and a physical environment equal to its academic reputation and the
international standing of its host city.
I n order to craft a campus equal in stature and excellence to HKU, it
is important to understand the underlying organization, constraints, and
opportunities of the existing university campus. As with most places in
Hong Kong, this requires an understanding of topography and the physical
patterns of the natural and built environments. Much of the challenge in
moving about the existing campus is resultant from an attempt to minimize
topography and create a single campus. A more successful strategy is to
acknowledge and strengthen these different centers and establish direct
connections between them. Topography suggests a campus unified across three
distinct zones: East, Central, and West. This is supported in part by existing
programmatic divisions: Science and Engineering (East), Administration
and General Academics (Central), and Liberal Arts and Law (West). From
these physical and programmatic understanding, t wo bold themes define
the plan:
- EAST-WEST CONNECTIONS
One pedestrian pathway – University Walk – connects and
defines the campus. This promenade begins in Sun Yat Sen Square and
culminates in Centennial Green – a signature space surrounded
by humanely scaled buildings which define individual departments. Perpendicular
to the Green is the Learning Commons, a physical gateway as well as
a unique and dynamic image for the University.
- NORTH-SOUTH CONNECTIONS
By removing the Knowles Building and bridging Centennial Green to the
MTRC, powerful new open spaces are formed that reconnect the campus to
the city. Reestablished natural corridors, new open spaces and pathways
link the surrounding community and campus to Pokfulam Country Park to
the south.
Sustainable strategies such as transit, renewable energy, and efficient
buildings, balance today’s needs with the long-term environmental,
social and economic health of the University, Hong Kong Island and the
region. A coherent composition of buildings and landscape creates an
elegant and integrated design to place HKU as one of the greatest campuses
in the world.
The new Centennial Campus of the University of Hong Kong is a bold
statement on the direction of higher education in the 21st century. Visual
and physical connections between the city and the University are strengthened,
buildings and campus spaces increase casual student and faculty interaction,
and learning and research centres provide dynamic space for interdisciplinary
teaching and public research. New classroom buildings, a lecture centre,
and the faculties of Law, Social Science and Arts and Humanities surround
the main space of Centennial Plaza and define a series of secondary courtyards
distinct to each department. New recreational options include tennis,
basketball and exercise areas located adjacent to the bridge to the Central
Campus and atop the existing salt water reservoirs.
The heart of the Centennial Campus is Centennial Plaza. A dynamic space
of student interaction and relaxation, it is open to the east to the
view to Central Campus and to the western view of the city. Its western
edge is defined by three towers rising up towards the mountain and framing
a view to the sea. The landscaped quadrangle allows casual recreation
and formal campus gatherings. Fountains, pools, tree rows and lush landscaping
provide shade and comfortable seating areas.
Size: 16.5 hectares or 165,000 square meters
Cost: N/A
