RLP’s extension to Hong Kong's iconic Ocean Terminal has created a new gateway to Hong Kong as well as a stunning set of indoor and outdoor spaces for people to enjoy unparalleled, 270-degree panoramic views of Victoria Harbour. With a GFA of approximately 9,000 sq. m., this five-storey complex comprises a cruise terminal hall, an arcade, shops and F&B facilities. RLP was the Executive Architect for this project, and we collaborated with the renowned design architectural firm, Foster + Partners.
The building form design makes the extension innately sustainable. Its wide, cantilevered and cascading terraces shade the lower levels, mitigating solar heat gain. The reduced building bulk and setbacks on each deck enhance connections with nature while minimising the impacts of weather and the general tropical environment.
Glass used in the grand outdoor steps facilitates the penetration of natural sunlight deep into the internal atrium, creating an interplay between inside and outside, while the thoughtfully designed sun-shading devices reduce glare inside the building while the outdoor areas receive maximum sunlight. Green walls on the marine deck, lawns and rooftop observatory deck give the building a high greenery ratio – a relative rarity on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront.
Designed with people in mind, the extension is easily accessed through the iconic Harbour City. The large, private outdoor terraces for F&B outlets are accessed via super-wide, large-format sliding doors. This openable façade design allows for the flexible use of indoor and outdoor space, making dining, events or private functions memorable and embracing Hong Kong’s al-fresco dining culture.
Across the central circulation spine, visitors reach the extension's publicly-accessible outdoor spaces – the terraces, roof deck and roof lawn. This new public plaza looking out on the harbour forms a boundary-free “urban living room” for super high-density Hong Kong, giving tourists and locals an intimate connection with the harbour, and allowing everyone to enjoy magnificent views of Victoria Harbour and its sunsets – a truly authentic Hong Kong waterfront experience.
