NO.7 • DECEMBER 2008 - The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Special Feature
專 題 介 紹
Special Features of the Award Winning
Projects
As mentioned above, alumni, Wallace Cham, Wilson Cheung and Professor
SL Chan all generously gave their time to discuss these award winning
projects, and draw attention to features of interest. Their enthusiasm and
dedication was palpable.
Polyu alumnus, Wallace Cham who added an MSc in 2007 to his many other
qualifications, was a member of the project team for the Hong Kong Science
Park Phase 2, being the Senior Manager of Projects for that corporation.
得 獎 項 目 簡 介
2007
()
1) The Science Park Phase II 科 學 園 二 期
The Science Park Phase 2 is a complete unit, following the completion of Phase
1 and preceding the future extension into Phase 3. The market role of the park is
unique and pioneering in Hong Kong. Its aim is to create an area which provides
every conceivable means to encourage and enable innovation and research
and development (R&D) activities for high tech and high value industries, such as
electronic, precision engineering, IT/telecommunications and biotechnology. The
Phase 2 buildings are already more than 30% occupied with further clients ready
and waiting. Wallace and his team found great satisfaction from the fact that not
only were they contributing to providing a means to educate the next generation,
they were also contributing to the enhancement of the reputation of Hong Kong,
not only in terms of technological recognition but also in the provision of a truly
beautiful place which marries natural and technological beauty.
solution to satisfying structural stability, architectural and acoustic requirements. The
supporting inclined columns (labeled crazy columns) and ring beams, effectively
combine to distribute, by arching action, both gravity and lateral loads.
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One reason, given by Wallace for the Science Park project reaching such a
satisfactory conclusion is the harmonious and unstinting cooperation of all parties
involved. Valuable briefing meetings were conducted before the designs were
finally decided and operations commenced.
Common to all parties involved in the project, was the aim for sustainable
development and environmental friendliness. Such philosophies, in the face of
climate change, are now beginning to underpin the more enlightened construction
activities world wide. Among others, contributions to sustainability were made by
the introduction of a waffle floor system, whereby the high degree of repetition
promoted the use of system formwork. In addition, precast formwork for pile
caps and tie beams was used, thus saving timber. In the area of sustainability,
Wallace drew particular attention to the 700 metre underground service tunnel
and basement linking different buildings throughout the whole Phase 2 area. The
majority of the services are housed inside the service tunnels, enabling ease of
maintenance and quick-fix of problems. Functionality is also provided by the two
energy towers which house the A/C chiller plants and cooling towers for all the
Phase 2 buildings.. In this connection, there is no need to provide such plants in
individual buildings. Maintenance savings, as well as cost, materials and time
savings are obvious results.
All who visit or use the Science Park feel that the public have been presented
with a structure which has to be experienced from the exterior, interior and as a
functional work unit, in order to be fully appreciated. A visit to and participation
in events held in the auditorium or amphitheatre enable a fuller appreciation of the
design creativity and innovation on display.
(PTFE)
The design and construction of the amphitheatre, which is a large tension
membrane fabricated from architectural grade Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coated
fiberglass fabric is inspiring, being the first amphitheatre covered by a tensile
fabric steel structure to be approved by the Hong Kong Government authorities. A
unique structure is the oval auditorium, mentioned above and which has become
known as the golden egg. The hybrid concrete-steel structure gives an efficient
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