The “University of Chicago Centre Hong Kong,” designed by Revery Architecture, is a curved glass structure elevated on slender concrete pillars, perched on a steep, tree-covered hillside.
Situated on Davis Mountain with breathtaking sea views, this campus was envisioned by the Dream Architecture Studio, Bing Thom Architects, as a ‘treehouse of knowledge’.
The Hong Kong University of Chicago Center is located within a cultural heritage site that formerly housed military facilities and detention centers. Several cultural relics and buildings from this era remain preserved on the site.
The three-story glass buildings follow the hillside’s contours, surrounding three heritage buildings.
According to Dream Architecture Studio, “The design challenge was to respect both the existing cultural relics and the complex natural landscape, including public hiking trails on the site.” This inspired the decision to ‘float’ the project above the historical sites and lush trees to minimize ecological impact.
The preserved heritage buildings have been restored and repurposed as student lounges and classroom spaces.
The glass structures house additional classrooms, offices, exhibition areas, and canteens. They are supported by customized non-impact pile foundations developed by Arup to ensure minimal disturbance to the ground.
A centerpiece of the natural landscape is a 75-year-old phoenix tree, surrounded by the curved decks of the buildings that form a public space for general sports and Tai Chi.
The studio added, “The curved form gently integrates the college buildings into the challenging terrain, touching only the fewest ‘invasion points’.”
On the second floor, the glass building retracts toward its center to accommodate the heritage buildings and create a spacious planted terrace overlooking the landscape.
The glass façade features intricate shading patterns designed to prevent overheating.
The interior design is minimalistic, featuring exposed concrete walls and wooden floors that provide a simple backdrop to panoramic views.
This project was the final work of the late Chinese Canadian architect Ben Thom before his passing in 2016. The newly renamed studio is now based in West Kowloon, Hong Kong, collaborating with Ronald Lu & Partners and a construction company to complete the aluminum-clad Xiqu Centre project.
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