It summarises the Concept Design in terms of concept and planning, connections with the community, distribution of the proposed venues, composition of public spaces, Green living and the public's interaction with and contribution to the District.

Cover

Consultation Digest for Stage 2 Public Engagement Exercise for the West Kowloon Cultural District
Cultural-Connect, Key to Sustained Vitality

Back Cover

Health depends on a robust and un-impeded field of invisible paths through one’s body 「經脈」.

The WKCD will establish that un-impeded cultural-urban field that ensures fluidity and connectivity. Connectivity between art forms, between life and culture, space and movement, inside and outside, art and community, Hong Kong, South China and overseas.
Ultimately this would bring about not just brief flashes of brilliance, but long-term and sustained vitality.

Views collected in Stage 1 of the Public Engagement Exercise can be categorised into seven important topics. The design of ‘Cultural-Connect’ incorporates and translates these public opinions and aspirations into a cohesive design. The seventopics covered in the Digest are listed below for the public’s easy reference:

a) Exhibiting a green setting P. 15
b) Environmental friendliness P.16
c) Showcasing Hong Kong’s unique local and traditional characteristics P.11-14
d) Experience a relaxing atmosphere P. 17-20
e) Providing public open space P. 11-14
f) Connectivity with the neighbouring districts P. 05-06
g) Catering the needs of different users (e.g. for different purpose of visit) P. 17-20

Publication design by CoDesign Ltd
Illustration by Siu Sai-Shun
Public artwork by (P.11-13):
Anthony Gormley, Hung Keung, Kwok Mang Ho, Michael Lau, Wong Tin Yan

Rocco Design Architects Limited obtained copyrights of all materials in the digest.

Page 01-02

The design of the WKCD master plan starts with two seemingly unrelated questions:
Have we ever wondered why we are fascinated by 「清明上河圖」(Qingming Riverside)?
Why exactly do we want a WKCD?

First, we want a WKCD...
Not because we cherish the thought of London symphony and Berlin philharmonic all vying to come,
Not because we could finally have a theatre to anchor (a popular Cantonese Opera),
Not because Max and his local art group could have a chance to reside in the district,
Not because Hazel could spend her weekly art class at the M+,
Not because granny could look forward to a weekend with her whole family, sampling the pleasures of Xiqu, browsing books along the Art-Venue, enjoying afternoon tea at the Central Square, and watching the city’s skyline on the Theatre Steps.

We want a WKCD, because all of the above can happen simultaneously, in the same space and at the same time. So that this is a place for all people at all times. And thus foster an energy that will anchor our city as a cultural hub.

Which brings us back to the question on 「清明上河圖」(Qingming Riverside). What strikes us in that scroll is not any “iconic” architecture, but an energy that radiates from people’s activities.

Page 03-04

Dare to Explore, Dare to Create

The aim of the WKCD master plan is therefore about generating that energy which is conducive to a spirit of exploration and discovery.

Accordingly, our master plan demonstrates the following:

1. It is not to be fully appreciated at first glance. Like a scroll it entices one to explore and to discover.
2. It does not solely glorify icons, but also celebrates streets/squares/black boxes embedded in the urban fabric.
3. It breaks the district’s isolation by forging pedestrian, tram, rail, vehicular, bicycle and ferry links to/from different directions.

Page 05-06

Connectivity

WKCD breaks the isolation by forging pedestrian, tram, rail, vehicular, bicycle and ferry links to / from different directions.

Two footbridges above Austin Road connect with the Elements and Kowloon Station. Visitors from the XRL Station are greeted by the M+ Forecourt, from where they disperse into the streets and alleys of WKCD. Towards the eastern end of the District edged upon Canton Road, a network of pedestrian decks draw visitors from Yaumatei, Jordon, Kowloon Park and Tsim Sha Tsui into the District.

The District is also well-served by multiple public transportation systems including buses, taxis, ferries, the XRL, the Airport Express and MTR. Hopping onto a tram that runs from the Star Ferry Pier to the District along Canton Road would be a pleasant alternative. In addition, water taxis bring visitors from Tsim Sha Tsui, North Point, Central and Wanchai directly to the heart of WKCD.

WKCD is also conveniently plugged into the public road network. Multiple vehicular access points are provided along the northern edge on Austin Road and number 3 Expressway. Major drop-off points and parking facilities are conveniently located for all venues.

Cycling is encouraged in WKCD with dedicated cycle track and cycles racks along the promenade. The track is intended to be connected beyond WKCD to link up with a city-wide network in the future.

Page 07-08

Design Concept

LAYERED ORGANISATION
The master plan is organised into 3 layers:
1. THE GREEN TERRAIN: Undulating and fronting the harbour, the park merges seamlessly with green roofs over shops and restaurants.
2. THE CITY LINK: Closely integrated with the city along Austin Road. The City Link provides space for living and working accommodation.
3. THE CULTURAL CORE: Concentration of cultural venues- flexible, diverse, local and international. (Core Venues, Black Boxes, Flexible Art Space...etc.)

URBAN GRID
Overlaying the 3 layers is a street-grid extended from adjacent neighbourhoods: human-scaled, orientated to catch prevailing winds and vistas of landmarks across the harbour.

3D PUBLIC SPACE
Linking the grid and the layers into an organic whole is a series of 3-D public spaces: Plazas, Steps, Courts, Decks, Promenades: a diverse stage for public art by artists both overseas and local.

Page 09-10

The Master Plan is organised in 3 layers from the City (north) to the Harbour (South), namely: the city link, the cultural cover and the green terrain.

In the City Link, working from East (Conton Road) to West, there are one block for workspaces, a residential block, the Headquarters for Art Organisation or International Cultural Institutes, four more blocks for residential, a Hotel block in front of the Theatre Square. Across the West Cross Harbour Tunnel, next to the typhoon shelter is another hotel, and then four more residential blocks in a row marking the boundary of WKCD.

In the Cultural Core, working from East (Canton Road) to West, there is the Xiqu Centre with the Xiqu Square to its south. Further to the West, there is a Medium-sized Theatre, then the Humanities Centre, Black Box Theatre, M+ and the Central Square. To the north of the Central Square the M+ Forecount lays adjacent to the XRL Plaza. To the south is the Music forecourt. To the West of the Central Square is the Concert Hall/Chamber Music Hall. Two Black Box Theatres are further to the West. The Great Theatre 1 and the Theatre Complex embracing the Theater Square are located in front of the ICC. The Children Museum and the Community Art College are further West bordering onto the Harbour Park. Mega Performance Venue is located at the Western End, marking the end of the Park.

In the Green Terrain, from East to West are the RDE with their accessible roof garden, the Exhibition Centre, the Promenade and the Filtration Garden, then the Music Forecourt. A pier in the form of pontoon is reached from the Music Forecourt via a draw bridge. More pontoons are on the water-edge for exhibitions, installations and performances. Theatre Steps are located to the south of the Theatre Square. Along the Promenade further to the West is the Market Place. Before reaching the Market Place, a swimming pool is floating in the Harbour next to a slipway. Form the Market Place, the Great Theatre 2 is on the Harbour Front with a pier for Water Taxi to its West. Embracing the Great Theatre on three sides is the Harbour Park. To the northern end of the Harbour Park, the landscaped roof of the Mega Performance Venue is turned into a public forum-the Banyan Forum, with a suspended bridge-walk over the Harbour.

Page 11-12

The 3D Public Space

1. XIQU SQUARE
The Square is flanked upon the Xiqu Centre. Designed with mobile spectator stands and a giant projection screen, it is a flexible outdoor space that marks the beginning of the Art-Venue. Embraced by elevated pedestrian decks, it is seamlessly connected to the surrounding neighbourhood and Kowloon Park.

2. CENTRAL SQUARE
The ‘Living room’ of the District, it is defined by the Concert Hall and the M+ on both sides. Connected to the XRL Plaza to the north and the harbour Promenade to the south. It is an outdoor plaza with a distinct dynamic cultural ambience.

3. MUSIC FORECOURT
An outdoor extension of the Concert Hall, the Music Forecourt could cater for outdoor performances. Facing the harbour, it is a visual symphony of music, water fountain and floating art pontoons.

4. ART-VENUE
The main pedestrian spine, it connects all the major open spaces. Shaded and enlivened with diverse activities, it invites enjoyment and exploration.

Page 13-14

The 3D Public Space

5. TRAMWAY
The Tramway provides speedy east-west link and feeds into the pedestrian street network at regular intervals.

6. HARBOUR PARK
An urban park with undulating landscape and a commanding sea view, with flat pastures for activities and gentle slopes for sitting or reclining.

7. BANYAN FORUM
An extension of the Park, it is a shaded amphitheatre equipped with a giant water curtain as a projection screen after nightfall, with the harbour as the backdrop.

Page 15-16

Green Living
A genuinely green environment that is not just a show-off of technology, but takes into consideration local climatic conditions and living habits.

URBAN OASIS
The green lungs of the city. Over 40% of the site is designed as green space or green roofs to improve thermal comfort, reduce air pollution and lower emission of CO2 .
The building mass and disposition are derived from prevailing wind directions to improve the micro-climate of the district.

URBAN COMFORT
Features such as intimate open space, extensive greenery, traditional covered walkways and the innovative environmental shade, are all designed to provide weather protection, improve ventilation and generate electricity.

URBAN ECOLOGY
WASTE REDUCTION & RECYCLING - District cooling system, the use of electrical trams and bicycles; rainwater recycling, waste composting, refuse recycling.
RENEWABLE ENERGY - Solar and Wind Farm are incorporated to help to achieve zero carbon architecture as pilot scheme.

ONE DAY IN WKCD

“… so that this is a place for all people at all times.”

1.EXPLORING FOR THE FUTURE
FATHER AND DAUGHTER: PAPA & HAZEL
Route: THE ELEMENTS> THEATRE STEPS> ART-VENUE> FLEXIBLE ART SPACE

How wonderful to spend an afternoon shopping at the Elements…

Papa: Oh! WKCD is just beyond the bridge!
…wandering across the bridge…
We may as well go to the Harbour Park!
Hazel: Papa! My favourite mime performance!
Hazel: Let’s watch it before we go kite flying!
Papa: Hazel loves art! What an unexpected discovery!

2.EXPLORING FOR INSPIRATION THE WANDERING

ARTIST: MAX
Route: JORDAN ROAD> XIQU SQUARE> PROMENADE

The deadline for Public Art Project is approaching…
Wandering in thought at Jordan Road…
Hey, where does that bridge lead to?
WKCD Xiqu Square! Oh… The Environmental Shade can be opened in response to the weather…
The Art Pontoons and drawbridges also move in response to the waves…
Oh Yes!
It could be an interactive art piece!

3.EXPLORING FOR KNOWLEDGE

POST-OOs COUPLE: CHRISTY AND JUSTIN
Route: HARBOUR CITY> TRAMWAY>HARBOUR PARK> BANYAN FORUM

My first date with Christy began at the flag poles at TST…
A brief yet romantic tram ride led us to the tip of WKCD.
It was my first time to stroll in the Harbour Park…
…my first time to join a forum…
…We need a zero carbon community!!!
It was also…
the first time my heart was stirred...

4.EXPLORING FOR IDENTITY

THE WHITE-COLLAR CONDUCTOR: IVANA
Route: CENTRAL> PIER> MUSIC FORECOURT

Ivana: In the morning, my soul is lost in work…
But at night, a 7-minute trip from the Central Star Ferry Pier…
brings me to WKCD Music Forecourt,
and I transform into…
an elegant conductor!
Boss: Urgent! Please come back to the office immediately!
(Sigh!) Luckily it only takes 7 minutes…