8–30A Ka Shin Street is part of a redevelopment portfolio located in the Tai Kok Tsui area in the West Kowloon district. The area was developed back in the mid-20th century, with a mixture of industrial and residential buildings. Scattered recreational areas, such as parks and greenery areas, were in the vicinity where dull rectangular-shaped buildings were only separated by narrow one-way streets.
The proposed redevelopment of the area is designed to break up the region in a coherent manner, where various sustainable features are incorporated in the design to promote more sustainable living for both the building occupants and the local residents.
GREEN DESIGN
Large openings and pathways in the design will allow cross ventilation across the site to facilitate the air flow and ventilation performance of the Tai Kok Tsui area. There is significantly more soft landscaping than required on the site, including green podium roof and public space, and a high-emissivity roof, which will help to reduce the urban heat island effect.
A number of basic services including restaurants, shops and public transport facilities are located on-site or within walking distance to benefit the building users and neighbourhood, as well as to reduce carbon emission caused by private vehicles.
Annual water usage of the project is reduced by nearly 40 per cent through the selection of efficient sanitary fittings, such as dual flush water closet and reduced flow water taps. The air quality within the enclosed public areas will benefit from the provision of an enhanced ventilation system and all indoor areas will meet the Hong Kong Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Certificate Scheme standard for good air quality.
The development is also designed to be energy efficient. The selection of tinted glass to reduce solar gain and energy, as well as energy-efficient air-conditioning, lift and lighting, can result in significant energy savings of nearly 20 per cent in the residential tower.
Apart from energy-efficient lighting fixtures and better building envelope, an energy-efficient air-conditioning system was selected for this low carbon footprint development. Split type air-conditioning units that offer superior performance were adopted in the residential tower, with higher coefficient of performance (COP) (2.92-4.05) compared to baseline COP (2.6), according to the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) Building Energy Code 2015. High-performance variable refrigerant volume (VRV) air-conditioning system was adopted in the podium, with higher COP (3.43-4.48) compared to baseline COP (3.3), according to EMSD Building Energy Code 2015. The energy performance of the premises was evaluated using an energy simulation software, Integrated Environmental Solution (IES) Virtual Environment. The simulation results showed that the proposed design could achieve 19.4 per cent and 6.8 per cent of reduction in the annual energy consumption for residential and clubhouse areas respectively with respect to the baseline case.
MATERIALS
Waste reduction for demotion of 65.6 per cent has been achieved, and that for construction is targeted at 60 per cent. Regionally manufactured materials are used in this project, with about 20 per cent procured from the Pearl River Delta region or within a radius of 800 kilometres from the site. 75.6 per cent application of modular and standard design is targeted to be achieved. A combined contribution to ozone depletion and global warming potential of 14.7 is committed.
OVERCOMING CONSTRAINTS
The existing Tai Kok Tsui area has the typical characteristics of the buildings developed in the 20th century, where the focus was placed on the practicality and functional use required at the time. This resulted in a standardised appearance with little or no focal point for the local communities at ground level. In order to rejuvenate the areas, specific attention has been put on providing an interesting frontage and modernised façade to bring the people back to the ground level.
The design of an enriched continual streetscape is an important factor of the overall scheme and by the provision of well-defined thoroughfares and setback of the commercial podium, the new development will offer views into the site’s interior and create an active street frontage.
In order to attract and improve the pedestrian traffic in the local community around the site, internal pavements will be provided within the site to integrate with the surrounding streets and public lane. As part of a street beautification scheme proposed and implemented in stages in this district, better pedestrian environment and safer circulation along Fuk Chak Street as well as Ka Shin Street are going to be provided, in order to achieve a walkable community and reduce unnecessary vehicle access. The paving surface will be replaced by visually attractive natural stones and concrete paving blocks laid in a pattern to enhance the pedestrian experience in terms of visual interest.
PROJECT DATA
Project Name: 8–30A Ka Shin Street
Location: 8–30A Ka Shin Street, Tai Kok Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Expected Completion: Q1 2019
Site Area: 1,821 square metres
Gross Floor Area: 15,485 square metres
Building Height: 24 storeys, 100 metres
Number of Units: 464
Client/Owner/Developer: Many Gain Investment Limited, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Henderson Land Development Company Limited
Architecture Firm: Dennis Lau & Ng Chun Man Architects & Engineers (HK) Ltd (DLN)
Principal Architect: Arthur Au
Interior Design Firm: CL3 Architects Limited
Principal Designer: William Lim
Civil & Structural Engineer: Siu Yin Wai & Associates Ltd
Mechanical & Electrical Engineer: Arcadis Design & Engineering Limited
Lighting Consultant: Lightlinks International Limited
Landscape Architect: Adrian L. Norman Limited
Green Building Consultant: Arcadis Design & Engineering Limited
Main Contractor: Heng Tat Construction Company Limited
Images: Integrated Design Associates Ltd; CL3 Architects Limited
