The designed multifunctional complex covers an area of 50,000 m2 in the geographical centre of Hong Kong. The structure of the complex accords with the cultural-historical identity and characteristics of Hong Kong. Implanting a generic, multifunctional plan in the strategic location of Kowloon Tong is intended to revivify this district and impact first on the immediate surroundings and later on the urban fabric of Hong Kong as a whole. This is intended to call a halt to the rampant globalization afflicting Hong Kong and allow the city to rediscover its identity. It explains the design's embedding in social interaction and cohesion. Both elements are key to the traditional mixed-use buildings of Hong Kong's old urban core. These buildings are in fact a continuation of the bustling public street. Their internal infrastructure is not just an access system but at the same time a semi-public space that enhances social interaction and mixes of function. As the internal infrastructure largely defines the organizational structure and interaction of traditional Hong Kong buildings, this infrastructure element has been deployed as a strategy for designing our architectural project. This shared basis underpins the social cohesion at both the urban and architectural scales. Above all, it is a handle with which to generate a typology germane to Hong Kong's identity.

The district of Kowloon Tong has not been developed effectively and has a low population density due to its proximity to the former airport. With the airport demolished, the height restriction on site no longer obtains. This makes it attractive for new investments and significant urbanistic developments. Work being undertaken at present in the districts adjoining Kowloon Tong is stagnating. This is mainly due to the lack of a common platform. 'Identity in the generic city' is a fitting strategy in this context.

Place of education: TU Delft
Specialization: architecture
Tutors: Rajan V. Ritoe, Henco Bekkering, Rogier Verbeek