Nature Discovery Park, Hong Kong Building Development, HK Commercial Building Photos
Nature Discovery Park in Hong Kong
12 Dec 2020
Nature Discovery Park
Design: LAAB Architects
Location: K11 MUSEA, Hong Kong, China
Located at the heart of the urban city in Hong Kong, Nature Discovery Park is a rooftop nature conservatory in a newly redeveloped retail destination, the K11 MUSEA, offering experiential learning and farm-to-table dining experiences for city dwellers. LAAB was tasked with the challenge to turn an otherwise residual space in the shopping mall into a learning and experience centre of nature.
Architecture of Urban Nature
In the middle of Nature Discovery Park are a glasshouse and an urban farm. Steel structure and aluminium cladding were used to frame the glasshouse, which features large sliding glass doors that open its interior to the outdoor farm. To save energy, IGU glass facade was used to reduce heat gain. The sliding doors are always open to draw in sunlight and to enhance natural ventilation to minimize energy consumption.
The steel structure, aluminium cladding, and glasses were all prefabricated and installed on-site to reduce construction waste. The roof is slightly pitched forward so that the architecture catches the prevailing wind from the harbour while visually embracing the farm. The reflection of the farm on the glasshouse against the surrounding skyscrapers produces a visual reminder of the co-existence of nature and urbanism. The door handles, pendant lamps, and dining tables were crafted by LAAB using sustainable wood.
Urban Nature that Nurtures
The spatial design of Nature Discovery Park advocates for the co-existence of human, nature, and the urban environment by enabling eco-tours and a series of education programmes on biodiversity and sustainability. The nature exploration journey begins with an archive that showcases rare butterfly species, leading to an aquarium that hosts the water and tropic marine species of the Victoria Harbour across the site if there were no pollution. Inside the greenhouse, a hydroponic nursery brings organically grown vegetables to the table.
The farm in front of the glasshouse offers urban farming opportunities for city dwellers, promoting eco-parenting through activities such as rooftop farming and nature art jam. As Hong Kong is home to a dazzling diversity of butterfly species, the nature discovery journey ends with a butterfly garden that grows plants to attract butterflies.
Nature Discovery Park in HK – Building Information
Architects: LAAB Architects
Location: K11 MUSEA, Hong Kong
Client: New World Development Company Limited
Architects/designers: LAAB Architects in collaboration with PLandscape, Speirs Majors Light Architecture
Project Manager: New World Development Company Limited
Collaborators: PLandscape, Speirs Majors Light Architecture
Lighting Designer: Speirs Majors Light Architecture
Project sector: sustainability education center/biodiversity museum/roof garden/ conservatory/ farm/restaurant
Budget: Confidential
Project completion date: September 2019
About LAAB
LAAB is a laboratory for Art and Architecture dedicated to spatial innovations, offering forward-thinking design solutions to public space, contemporary architecture, interior designs, and digital art experiences. Led by cofounders Otto Ng and Yip Chun Hang, our collective of architects, designers, engineers, makers, and sociologists work together with forward-thinking clients and collaborators to bring visionary designs to life.
A precise blend of cutting-edge digital fabrication and traditional craftsmanship drives our creative process. Widely recognized projects include the “K11 MUSEA and Victoria Dockside,” “Leica Flagship Store in Hong Kong and the Asia-pacific,” “f22 foto space,” “T· CAFÉ,” and the “Hong Kong House” at the Japan Echigo Tsumari Art Triennale.
Based in Hong Kong, LAAB has been awarded for design innovation and craftsmanship, including the American Architizer A+ Awards, the Japanese Good Design Award Best 100, the Japanese KUKAN Award Best 100, the Taiwan Golden Pin Award, the German iF Design Award, and the Amsterdam FRAME Awards, among other recognitions from other design communities. In 2020, LAAB was named “The Design Studio” by the INDE Award.
Photographer: © Otto Ng of LAAB
Nature Discovery Park, Hong Kong images / information received 121220 from v2com newswire
Location: K11 MUSEA, Hong Kong, Eastern Asia
Hong Kong Architecture Designs
HK Architectural Designs
Hong Kong Architecture Designs – chronological list
Peak Galleria, Victoria Peak
Design: Aedas, Architects
photo : Kris Provoost
Peak Galleria in Hong Kong
Harbour Kiosk, Avenue of Stars, Tsim Sha Tsui Harbourfront
Design: LAAB Architects
photo : LAAB Architects
Harbour Kiosk by Entrance to the Avenue of Stars HK
Hong Kong Architecture Tours by e-architect
Comments / photos for the Nature Discovery Park, Hong Kong page welcome
