West Kowloon Cultural District Concept: "Cultural Connect" by Rocco Design Architects Limited

Three Conceptual Plan Options for the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) have been unveiled during the opening ceremony for the Stage 2 Public Engagement exercise.

Following is the concept "Cultural Connect: Key to Sustained Vitality" – prepared by Rocco Design Architects Limited, led by Rocco Yim. The vision shown in the plans is conceptual only and will be subject to statutory constraints and further review. The designs of individual buildings are for illustrative purposes only and actual building designs will be developed in a later stage according to Town Planning Ordinance.

Detailed information about the Rocco Design Architects Limited concept can be found here.

From Rocco Design Architects Limited's Concultation Digest: "Health depends on a robust and un-impeded field of invisible paths through one's body (經脈).

The WKCD will establish that un-impeded cultural-urban field that ensures fluidity and connectivity. Connectivity between art forms, between life and culture, space and movement, inside and outside, art and community, Hong Kong, South China and overseas.

Ultimately this would bring about not just brief flashes of brilliance, but long-term and sustained vitality."

Rocco Yim explains the concept design:

"The design of the WEST KOWLOON masterplan starts with two seemingly unrelated questions:
Q1: Have we ever wondered why we are fascinated by Qing Ming Riverside?
Q2: Why exactly do we want a WEST KOWLOON CULTURAL DISTRICT?

We want a WEST KOWLOON, not because we want to glorify certain icons, but because we want a place when different programs, different people, different activities can come together simultaneously, in the same space and at the same time.

Similarly what strikes us in Qing Ming Riverside is not any “iconic” architecture, but an energy that radiates from the people’s activities.

The aim of the WEST KOWLOON master plan is about creating this energy which is conducive to a spirit of exploration and discovery.

Accordingly, our master plan
Is not to be fully appreciated at first glance, but unfolds gradually;
It does not solely glorify icons, but celebrates the common places and spaces;
It breaks the District’s isolation by forging connections with the community in different directions.

The Master plan is organised in 3 layers:

The Green Terrain; The City Link and the Cultural Core: with diverse cultural venues; both local and international.

Health depends on a robust and un-impeded field of invisible paths through one’s body known in Chinese as (經脈).

The WEST KOWLOON will establish an un-impeded cultural field that ensures fluidity and connectivity.

Connectivity between art forms, between life and culture, space and movement, inside and outside, art and community, Hong Kong, South China and overseas.

Ultimately this would bring about not just flashes of brilliance, but long-term and sustained vitality."