the Body, Mind and the Soul:

The Heart of the City is a 115m tall fully social service tower, first of its kind rooted in the heart of Hong Kong – the entire tower is designed to provide functional and leisure spaces for those in need and the city at large.

Collaborating with the client in workshops to focus on each specific demographic groups, the project is composed of vertically interlocked spaces bespoke to different users. From teens & youth, children, SDN groups, ethnic minorities, elderly, men & women, religious use and sports & active use, the tower is freely open to those-in-needs and NGO entities. 7 social condensers are placed across 22-storeys to facilitate meaningful interaction, as well as provide a sanctuary space in the bustling city. It is designed as an extension of the public ground, opening its doors to the public both metaphorically as well as physically.

Architecture responds directly to the physical, social, and spiritual needs of the city – for the body, mind and the soul.

porosity across Space, Structure and Society:

The project represents a convergence of community, spirituality and sustainable design, serving as a beacon to the community. The entire building is designed to be fully porous, on the principle of natural ventilation, open-ness and efficiency.

The exo-skeleton structure and façade system and internal spaces are designed to provide brise-soleils, stack-effect and cross ventilation for all 22 storeys.

The ground storey is fully open to the streets – the porous street-frontages, high floor-to-ceiling height, ceiling mounted fans together facilitate cross-ventilation following prevailing wind direction and also maximize natural sunlight.

The structural system and internal spaces are designed as modular components with recycled material where possible, and white concrete is adopted as the structural material. The ultimate goal is to increase efficiency, and reduce unnecessary construction & components.