Yesterday marked the culmination of all those complex design processes, as the foundation stone was laid down for the starting of construction of the grandiosely conceived Kai Tak Cruise Terminal in Hong Kong. Magnificently conceptualized by architects from
Foster + Partners and
Dragages team, this imposing yet sustainable cruise terminal is planned to be one of the largest terminal structures in the whole world.
The blatantly unique feature of this design is the site that was chosen. It was previously the location of the former Kai Tak airport, and the southwestern tip of the old runway actually has a special and rather expansive view of the iconic Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Coming to the zoning aspect, the structure will also act as mega recreational facility other than being a cruise terminal. The main collective spatial element for recreation would be the large public roof garden, with open and sheltered spaces for picnics, outdoor dining and even wedding banquets. This circulative space will be accessible by a gradually ascending paved public walk.
Now coming to the design aspect, the opulent three storied terminal will have a capacity for 8,400 passengers and 1,200 crew members. The building itself will be designed so as to provide anchoring for all those newer and larger state-of-the-art ocean liners and cruisers. The stately ambiance of the spacious interior will feature a myriad of mixed spatial characteristics, along a long stretch of a 70m front. This will include a venue for performances, events and exhibitions, and also various kinds of restaurants and shops.
Lastly coming to the in-built sustainable elements, the structure will feature four massive apertures throughout the floors for efficient induction of natural sunlight into the building. Moreover, other efficacious energy-saving measures would include generation of power from clean renewable sources and recycling of used water for further cooling.
In the pompous ceremony arranged for the laying of foundation stone, Mouzhan Majidi, Chief Executive of Foster + Partners, said:
Today’s ceremony marks an exciting moment in the reinvention of Kai Tak – we were delighted to win the competition to design such an important new gateway to the city. The terminal will establish Hong Kong as a major cruise hub in Asia and, together with the West Kowloon Cultural District, will further enhance the city’s position as a centre for tourism and culture.
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