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BARRIE HO Architecture Interiors Ltd. creates an urban space under Hong Kong overpass
In a high density city like Hong Kong, acquiring space for a Non-Government Funded Organisation often mean a high cost. This probably especially present greater difficulty to NGOs and charitable groups operating on subsidies or donations.
Leftover spaces under flyovers are one of the viable options for extra spaces. Often deemed inhospitable, the Canal Road flyover in Wanchai and Causeway Bay is one exception that carves out architectural spaces for different purposes, one of them being the headquarters of the Hong Kong Federation of Women.
In a densely populated city like Hong Kong 'adaptive reuse' is a hot topic to be explored. Leftover spaces underneath flyovers are one such type of space worth exploring, one that yields much innovation and creativity. This project aims to create or demonstrate a role model in exploring leftover spaces in the city, such as those underneath the Connaught Road flyover and the Eastern Corridor and other forms of leftover spaces, inspiring future considerations.
The captioned project began with the demolition of an existing premises and a proposed new extension of the Centre from Site A to Site B, giving rise to a linear architecture of some 70 metres long. Cutting through Wanchai, the Canal Road flyover runs through prime areas of livelihoods and business.
Regenerating the leftover space under this bridge beautifies the area as much as it reconnects the urban fabric. Unprecedented in Hong Kong on such an extensive scale, this project has successfully demonstrated the flexibility and adapbility of leftover spaces, offering a model of spatial solution vernacular to Hong Kong.
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