Tower Shell Game: Undulating Performances

Re-thinking 1970s Hong Kong high-rise facade system

Studio work

Supervisor: Jason Carlow

2012 Fall

The University of Hong Kong

People live in high density cities can always develop wisdom of making fully use of the space. The increasing of the population, development of real estate market result in the rapid number growth of high rise towers in 1970s and 80s. The high cost of land push the fully using of interior space, even façade was being programmed. By analysis the residential and commercial high rises built in 1970s Sheung Wan, I generate some performative sections that human activities can be engaged in, so a façade zone with programs is created. Façade elements that pushed out can be used as balconies, bay windows, pulled in can act as furniture, dropped ceilings ect..

Different from the highly standardized 1970s façade elements, I am trying to develop an undulating performative façade system which creates smooth connections between dierent performative sections. Not alike many newly built curtain wall high rises that façades are push forward to separated from the inner program space, the architecture intervention allows dierect human activities happened continuously along the undulat-ing façade elements.