HKSAR Government Headquarters is located at the historical site of Tamar, a former naval dockyard. It is an intricately composed Government Complex, integrating three principal facilities: the HKSAR Government Offices, the Chief Executive’s Office and the Legislative Council Complex.

The design projects a unifying composition, while each facility maintains its identity and expression befitting its function. The two wings of Government Offices are joined together at the upper level, creating the visual metaphor of an opening door. The Legislative Council Complex and the Chief Executive’s Office flanking the Civic Park project forward on either side, signifying their independence as well as their dialogue across the landscape. The landscaped Civic Park or “Green Carpet” penetrates the heart of the project, linking the city with the waterfront.

On a human scale the Complex is a civic icon, where greenery takes centre stage and architecture assumes a supporting role. The Door gives way to nature and lush landscape. The “Green Carpet” that connects the Harbour through the Door leads to a multitude of people-friendly venues, including a sculpture Court, the Legislative Council Garden, an amphitheatre, a floating deck, the Legislative Council Square and the Tamar Corner, all for the public to enjoy.

An emphasis is placed on sustainable design. Disposition of the blocks allows the prevailing winds to penetrate the inner city. It also allows solar access to the site from the south, while the stepped heights of the buildings allow airflow mixing and recirculation, channeling wind from higher elevations to enhance air ventilation at pedestrian level. Besides, innovative facade design systems are adopted to achieve sustainability for the development.

HKSAR Government Headquarters does not seek to play an overly symbolic role as a public edifice, but rather functions urbanistically on a daily basis as a vibrant, integral part of the city’s life.

See our interview with Rocco Yim here.

Rocco Design Architects
rocco.hk