Murray Road Skyscraper by Zaha Hadid Architects, Hong Kong
Zaha Hadid Architects has unveiled its design for a sinuous, glass, 36-storey skyscraper, which will be built in Hong Kong at 2 Murray Road on what is reportedly the world's most expensive plot. The form of this 43200 sqm building was based on the shape of the Hong Kong orchid tree, which was previously grown near the site and is the flower at the center of the city's flag. Replacing a multi-story car park, the main body of the skyscraper will be elevated above the ground and connected into the city's network of raised pedestrian walkways, with a series of courtyards and gardens placed under the building. The tranquil outdoor areas flow into the generous communal spaces of the interior; the craftsmanship and precision of the curved glass facade enhancing this seamless connectivity between the building's interiors and the surrounding gardens and city beyond.
The façade includes 4-ply of double-laminated, double-curved insulated glass units, in order to insulate effectively the building and reduce its cooling load as well as build resilience. Located on the refuge floor, the Sky Garden is an outdoor recreational space with running track and an aquaponics planting network that acts as an effective biological air-purifying filter by consuming contaminants. At the top of the skyscraper, an enclosed banqueting hall will have views across the city.
A high-tensile steel structure provides very wide span (up to 26m) of naturally lit, column-free, Grade A office space with a 5 meter floor-to-floor height giving maximum flexibility. The building’s air quality monitoring system will detect the degree of occupancy in any interior and automatically adjust indoor air temperature, humidity and fresh air volume to meet demand. The building’s smart management system creates a contactless experience. In fact, by using a mobile phone, contactless smart card or biometric recognition, occupants can enter the building and pass security, call lifts to their office floor and access other zones.
References:
