hinge – July 2019

hinge 275_38

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Finding fresh, virgin building sites in Hong Kong is pretty close to impossible.

And even the places in which to rebuild over existing structures, often present

topographical and scale challenges – this is a city of condensed, awkward land

plots overlaid with extremely defined building restrictions. For a new satellite

campus of the University of Chicago in Hong Kong, all these factors played into

the mix in full force.

As some measure of compensation, however, the site did provide stunning

views to the ocean, verdant greenery all around, and just enough square

metreage to squeeze in the programme. One of the most important mitigating

elements to contend with was a set of existing ruins of historical value. This

prompted a design solution that essentially ‘floated’ much of the new building

over the site, supported by slender concrete columns. A swooping, curvy

mass of about three storeys (it varies in some sections) resulted, seemingly

responding to the contours of the hillside, mature trees onsite, and a general

impetus to minimise the bulk of the building. As the facility is clad almost

entirely in glass panels, this new piece in the site’s puzzle clearly aims to live

here with a light touch.

To its further credit, some of the existing structure was repurposed into

classrooms and student lounge spaces for the school. These segments are

heavier, familiar locally for their white stucco finishes and sturdy footprint

in the hillside. The juxtaposition of light, wavy, glass mass with the older,

rooted, opaque bits provides the scheme – and the school – with many

Photography courtesy of the architect

The Hong Kong Jockey Club University of Chicago Academic Complex |

University of Chicago Francis and Rose Yuen Campus in Hong Kong

Hong Kong, China

Revery Architecture

University of Chicago Hong Kong