Museum, Renovation, Hong Kong (SAR)- Architects: Architectural Services Department
- Area: 23450 .0m²
- Year: 2018
- Photographs: William Furniss, Image28
- Architect In Charge:Vivien Fung
- Engineering And Landscape:Architectural Services Department, HKSAR
- Consultants:Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Ltd
- Client: Leisure and Cultural Services Department, HKSAR
- Text description provided by the architects. Renovation and expansion of the Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA) is a dual process – working simultaneously on “veil” - enfolding existing building with its context and specific moment; and “unveil” – unfolding its museum collection and events to the public.
- Veil. HKMoA had been overshadowed by the adjacent Cultural Complex. Facelift to the existing building is necessary for new identity and to engage in a new dialogue with the city.
- Aspired by the ripple image of Victoria Harbour, the facade concept is a reinterpretation of Traditional Masonry Work and Op-Art pattern – reflecting the diversity of the Museum collection. The multi-faceted façade is animated by the interplay of light and shadow that changes over time and weather.
- The translucent quality of fifth-floor expansion presents a strong contrast to the solid and opaque character of the building bulk below. The laminated glass gives a slight blurring effect to the panoramic Harbor view, forming a perfect backdrop for the art installations.
- Unveil. All additional spaces are designed to maximize the transparency of the existing building. Carving out the building mass, the idea is to open up the museum for daylight and views.
- The museum’s five public entrances and exterior views, public routes, and spaces will help it achieve a closer relationship with its existing neighbors.
- The form of Annex wing is skewed to respect the geometry of the original structure. The lower level of New Annex is flanked by an operable glass enclosure. This street-scale structure allows flexible exhibitions extended to the outdoor piazza of Cultural Complex. Galleries can be joined by a wide, convivial staircase as needed, spanning across daylit central atrium which was designed specifically for large sculpture. The variety enables a wide range of curatorial approaches.
- On the city side of the building, a large glass canopy cantilevered from the entrance foyer embracing the frontal Art Square, where the outdoor exhibitions will be held, which envisage artists to develop site-specific works. Entry experience is then orchestrated by contrasts of materials, with bronze wall carries through the escalator lobbies illuminating the vertical axis.
- The revitalization is part of the transformation of Victoria Harbour – a vast redevelopment including improvement to the Avenue of Star. New HKMoA will be the gateway and catalyst, changing the harbour area into an activities hub.
- It is one that creates possibilities for all of its users: staff, visitors, artists. Museum visitor can meet their friends by chance in the bookshop, or the museum diner. We are proposing a museum that creates good moments.
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