Working on Cloud – Adaptive Reuse of Star Ferry Car Park as Working Hub

The Chinese University of Hong Kong, School of Architecture, Hong Kong

Project idea

Concerning the post-pandemic era, it is high time to have rethought about the definition of workspace, as a hub rather than a typical office, a place where people have comfortable and enjoyable environments to work with. Working on Cloud is a working hub as an association of a cloud, not only because of its light, floating impression that contrasts with the solid existing car park, but it also introduces the idea of publicity and informality of workspace. Working on Cloud offers a platform for flexible workspaces for all possible users, foster encounters and interaction between different users over different time.

Project description

Clouds are often associated with dematerialization, versality and antiauthoritarian. During the post-pandemic era, typical workspace with individual hot desks is often applicable due to the rise of Work From Home and Hybrid Work. It is high time to have rethought about the definition of workspace, as a hub rather than a typical office, a place where people have comfortable and enjoyable environments to work with. Working on Cloud is a working hub as an association of a cloud, not only because of its light, floating impression that contrasts with the solid existing car park, but it also introduces the idea of publicity and informality of workspace. Rather than being a typical office specified for certain employees or companies, Working on Cloud offers a platform for flexible workspaces for all possible users, foster encounters and interaction between different users over different time.

Technical information

The new part is a grid of steel structure grid holding to the existing car park by steel columns and concrete cores, with jacketed foundation to reinforce the structural stability of the car park. The polycarbonate panels at east and west side act as filter shading low angle sun, when the central atrium allows prevailing winds to pass through. The new horizontal beams are exposed in order to echoes with that of car park structure. The shifting blocks with a central atrium provides high permeability to natural breeze and stack ventilation. The atrium also serves as light well and platforms to meet. Some exterior spaces like the testing ground are shaded by upper blocks. Circulation is brought up with the stairs at central atrium as well.

On plan, the long sides are polycarbonate panels as mentioned. When short sides of the blocks are rotating, and movable glass partitions, so that there is no clear boundaries between interior and exterior spaces. With high portion of exterior areas, people can start to work outdoor with natrual ventilation.