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Health Resort in Kau Sai Chau

Part 2 Project 1999
Wing Hoo Lee
 University of Hong Kong | China
Objectives

The project aims at proposing a health resort development in an undeveloped island, Kau Sai Chau, in Sai Kung Peninsula. The proposed topic is based on and generated from several phenomenon and issues: the busy urban lives in Hong Kong, the deficiencies of existing resort developments, and the availability of hundreds of untouched islands in Hong Kong.

Site

Kau Sai Chau is chosen since there is an existing public golf course which provided the resort with infrastructures and services. Moreover, it can also be incorporated as part of the resort development. Also, analysis shows that the proposed site takes advantages on access, view, topography and geology.

Programme

The programme comprises several major aspects: lodging facilities, food and beverage facilities, water sport, land sport, spa facilities, children's facilities, conference facilities and existing golf facilities.

Design Methodology

The design methodology is to establish geographical fundamentals of nature, to identify areas within the site that possess corresponding atmospheres and potentials, to capture its essence, to develop into a main idea for each of them and to express through architectural languages, with reference to the vernacular, if any, and to different user groups.

Under the above methodology, general planning has been developed. After that, more detailed design is generated for each area including water, cliff, beach, valley, riverside, and grassland.

Water

With reference to traditional ferry pier structure, a long strip of rooms with pier, conference facilities and restaurant marks the departure from city and arrival to nature.

Cliff

Situated on such a panoramic cliff with protruding rocks, the building responses to the rocks by making itself as part of them. It appears like a large rock carved out from inside or eroded by sea wind.

Beach

With a proximity to a remote beach, the massing sit on a slope with wooden footpath wandering through from the point of cart-stop down to the private beach, the ultimate point to enjoying quietness and harmony.

Valley

Located in a mountain valley, a spa resort appears as part of the landscape. Recall from the understanding that natural mineral water flow out from stone cracks, the main idea is to hollowing out a large stone. A series of spatial experience is perceived in wandering through the path of different indoor and outdoor pools surrounded by enclosed therapy rooms. Perspectives down the valley are carefully controlled via framed openings.

Riverside

Sitting beside a river, the rooms establish a setting by making reference to vernacular fishing village. With architectural transformation, the concept of layering and complexity is emphasized. To match with site atmosphere and generate busy street lives, several Chinese seafood restaurant have been introduced.

Grassland

Within a precious piece of slope grassland, it is found to be a nice place for children playing around. Therefore, self-supporting family flats and children's facilities are mixed to express the concept of community and recreation. The order setting of the flats is broken by the chaotic children's path introduced.



Tutor Statement

The territory of Hong Kong is surrounded by the sea - whether it is Hong Kong (Victoria) Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories (North of Kowloon), Lantau Island, or the hundreds of small islands that dot the coast. Yet, ironically, when one mentions Hong Kong it is often the image of condensed living, soaring office towers and endless shopping streets that comes to mind. It has been the policy of past governments to limit the supply of developable land and to concentrate the development or reclamation in key locations. This has resulted in large areas of land designated as country park, which have been left intact. In recent years, with the general rise in income and leisure time, there has been a corresponding increase in the awareness and benefits of exercise, outdoor activities and ecology. With the Asian economic fallout still felt in the region, there is presently a shift in focus for the people in Hong Kong to utilize local natural resources. Thus, an awareness of the environment and a longing to have accessible recreation creates a need for facilities such as this project proposed for Hong Kong.

This thesis seizes the opportunity to explore the growing need for the people of metropolitan Hong Kong for a place to relax and unwind. As NYC has Long Island, Boston has Cape-Cod or London has the Lake District, Hong Kong also needs a corresponding place of its own. The proposed project, located on an uninhabited island facing the Pacific, captures the longing for such places and may in the process, by default, reinvent the image of Hong Kong and its people.

1999
An untouched island, Kau Sai Chau, can be alternative way of land source apart from sea reclamation.
Water - 1:200 Model: making reference to traditional pier, a long strip of rooms with pier, conference facilities and restaurant adjacent to floating pools marks the departure from city and arival to nature.
Cliff - 1:200 Model: situated on a panoramic cliff with protruding rocks, the building appears like a large rock carved out from inside.
Cliff - 1:200 Model: programme includes rooms, pool and cafe.
Image of Beach
Beach - 1:500 Model: with proximity to a remote beach, the massing sit on slope with wooden footpath wandering through from point of cart-stop down to private beach. Programme includes rooms, beachside bar and beach.
Valley - 1:200 Model: recalling from the understanding that natural mineral water flow out from stone cracks, the idea is to hollowing out a large stone. Programme includes spa, tea-house, sauna and therapy room.
Riverside - 1:200 Model: sitting beside a river, the rooms establish a setting by making reference to vernacular fishing village. Several Chinese seafood restauant are introduced to enrich the street lives.
Grassland - 1:500 Model: within a precious piece of slope grassland, family flats and children's facilities are interwoven to generate a nice place for children playing around. The order setting of flats is broken by the chaotic children's path.
Grassland - 1:200 Model: programme includes flats, children's restaurant and facilities.
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