Catalog

Central Market

2018-2021

Central, Hong Kong

Project Description:

Central Market is a Grade 3 historic building, an exemplification of Functionalism, characterized by the streamline modern style and simple geometry. The Character Defining Elements, including the atrium, externa facades, grand staircases, 6 different types of market stall clusters and the column grid are preserved and adaptively reused.

In response to public’s aspiration for providing more green and public spaces in Central given the high density, we believe the solution to the Central Market is not a re-creation of the past but a creation of heritage for the future. “Orchestrations of New and Old, Creativity inspires Creativity” becomes the leading concept of our design.

Description how the project contributes with humanity:

Central market is preserved and adapted for affordable commercial, cultural and community use, with a curated heritage experience for the public to enjoy and recall their collective memories.

About 1,000sqm landscaped open space is provided at the existing atrium and entrance plaza facing Queen’s Road Central for recreation and leisure uses. Facade facing the atrium are opened up and glazed for introducing natural light to the interior space and improving the physical and visual connection between the interior and atrium garden at the ground and upper floors.

The external walls on ground floor facing Jubilee Street and Queen Victoria Street are opened up to enhance accessibility and connectivity for the public to get into market. The unoriginal facade facing Des Voeux Road Central was replaced by a new curtain wall facade constructed to resemble the horizontality and solid/void treatment of the old building, while revealing the circulation system inside.

Character defining elements as mentioned above are preserved and repaired to their former glory and are now adaptively reused for other functions.