PROJECT REPORT: HERITAGE & CONSERVATION
research on the buildings and the site, which includes a framework for the future management of the site,” explains Purcell associate Gary Sparrow.
Being originally conceived as a fortress, the compound is walled in on all perimeters. Purcell’s aim was to enable visitors to enter the Centre from most sides, separating the varied array of structures using inter-linking routes and bridges between many of the buildings. This increased porosity would encourage visitors to linger, discover other parts of the site, and extend their visits. “At the start of the project there was some concern from the public that this would just be a commercial shopping mall,” explains Sparrow.
“The idea from the Jockey Club however was that there would be an approximate one-third split between heritage and art, commercial, and back-of-house spaces.” Sparrow continues: “Our task was to try and embed the site back into the city. As such, the mixed-use facilities are spread across the site. There’s not really one area with a specific use, which hopefully encourages people to explore all of the buildings across the site.” Two other architects featured on this complex project – Herzog & de Meuron, designing two new buildings and making other interventions across the site, and Rocco Design Architects, taking the on-site executive role. Construction and repair work began in 2012, and the project was completed in April 2018, with the site re- opening in May.
A porous compound
Just three buildings were identified for demolition: a 1920s garage, a laundry yard area, and a 1980s office. The remaining 16 historic buildings, covering the prison, magistracy and police HQ, have all been repaired and repurposed, with extensive works undertaken on both the interiors and exteriors.
The Police Headquarters block is on the north of the site. It was constructed in 1919, later than many of the other buildings, with red brick walls and white render, granite features and imposing columns. Forming the public face of the complex, its north facade displays a neo-classical revival design. The building now contains a ‘Heritage Storytelling Space,’ and a police service centre, plus a restaurant and shopping areas. Visitors can enter the site from the north using a footbridge gate connected to Hong
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Kong’s municipal escalators, which run between the Headquarters block and the Armoury. Once inside, they enter the open space of the Parade Ground, flanked by the former Police Armoury to the west, Married Inspectors’ Quarters to the east, and barracks to the south, in addition to the Headquarters block. This almost untouched area provides an ‘urban oasis’ in the city for public recreation and cultural events.
On the east side of the site is the Central Magistracy, which underwent two reconstructions after its establishment in the 1840s. The current building was constructed in 1914, in Greek-revival style with passageways taking prisoners from the police station – the two courts here serving the entire colony for a considerable period. The imposing colonial architecture was intended as a symbol of the importance and power of the court, however the building now serves more communal functions, such as another ‘Heritage Storytelling Space,’ as well as cultural and lifestyle programmes. Visitors have the option to travel along the eastern side, past the Central Magistracy, and into the open Court Yard, or south through the Barrack Block and into the Prison Yard on the site’s upper platform, which is surrounded by the various halls (from A to F) of the prison facilities, along with the two new Herzog & de Meuron buildings, which house an international-standing contemporary art
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URBAN OASIS
The city now holds the world’s largest number of skyscrapers, making the Tai Kwun Centre a unique oasis on highly sought-after land in the CBD
Now open to the public, the area has been turned into a thriving three-acre cultural hub
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