Set to be the largest sports infrastructure in Hong Kong upon completion by the end of 2024, Kai Tak Sports Park covers 28 hectares on a prominent harbourside location in Kai Tak. It has been designed to support the Hong Kong SAR Government’s aims to promote sports for all in the community; support elite athletes; and enhance Hong Kong’s reputation as a centre for major international sports events.
With a master plan and individual venue designs that transform the former Hong Kong International Airport site into an urban destination, the project will integrate international sports facilities with entertainment, retail, wellness and community spaces. Additionally, the project’s architectural-urban approach seeks to create a new relationship amidst the existing urban fabric, surrounding developments and the harbourfront.
The pearl-like form of the Main Stadium
CONNECTIVITY AND ACCESSIBILITY WITH THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
The sports park is divided in two parts by Shing Kai Road. The Main Stadium and Dining Cove are in the southern precinct, whereas the northern precinct comprises the Indoor Sports Centre, Public Sports Ground and retail facilities. The Western Passageway and the Main Plaza, which is an elevated deck over Shing Kai Road, provide traffic-free pedestrian connections to join the two precincts. The Sports Avenue, running as the main axis, creates a continuous route to connect the sports park to Station Square and the harbourfront promenade.
The 50,000-seat Main Stadium with a retractable roof
FLEXIBILITY IN FACILITIES DESIGN
The focal point of the sports park is the 50,000-seat Main Stadium with a pearl shell-shaped façade, inspired by Hong Kong’s reputation as Pearl of the Orient. The façade, made of around 27,500 small panels of 11,500 various triangular shapes, changes colours throughout the day and under different lighting conditions. Facing the harbour, the entire southern façade is glazed to provide participants a visual link to the city. A soundproof retractable roof and flexible pitch system are adopted for hosting major football and rugby games.
PROJECT DATA
Project Name
Kai Tak Sports Park
Location
Kai Tak New Development Area, Hong Kong
Status of Construction
In progress
Expected Completion
Major facilities will be completed by end of 2024 by phases
Site Area
28 hectares
Design and Build Operator
Kai Tak Sports Park Limited
Architecture Firm
Populous
Executive Architect
Simon Kwan & Associates Limited
Interior Design Firm
Populous
Civil & Structural Engineer
ARUP
Mechanical & Electrical Engineer
ARUP
Landscape Architect
ADI Limited
Green Building Consultant
ARUP
Main Contractor
Hip Hing Construction Co., Ltd
Images
Kai Tak Sports Park Limited.
This is an excerpt. The original article is published in
Construction+ Q2 2023 Issue: Infrastructure & Transport.
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