Postgraduate Hub Architectural Design Proposal The Postgraduate Hub currently has a remote relationship with the HKU campus. This affects its effectiveness in pursuing the goals as set out by the brief, i.e. cross cultural awareness and enhancing well-being of postgraduate students. We argue that the Postgraduate Hub should actively become a attractor and nexus to link all postgraduate students, both residing at the Graduate House and the other non-residential students together. Drawing inspiration from the planes that compose the existing Hub, the planes are extended out to form a network that not only define the spaces within the Hub but also out to the campus area in form of furnitures. Lam Lai Shun Cheng Siu Tai, Sam
THE BRIEF: Spaces of a range of scale and flexibility The brief set out that the Postgraduate Hub should i) build cross cultural awareness, and ii) enhance well-being of postgraduate students. We believe that spaces of a range of SCALE and FLEXIBILITY are required for the Hub to properly function. These spaces should not be in conflictual relationship from one another. L lectures seminars forums talks M cafe exhibition group study collaboration S one-to-one counseling self-study
THE PROBLEM: Extension to other locations of HKU There are 11,543 postgraduate students in HKU. In contrast, there are only 210 residents in the Graduate House, which is less than 5%. Being situated in a relatively remote location in HKU, away from the main circulatory arteries, the Hub demands a certain ATTRACTION to lead students to the facility. From the main circulatory route, there are two main points that can strategically see the Postgraduate Hub: 1. between James Hsioung Lee and Run Run Shaw buildings; and 2. outside the Haking Wong canteen 5% residential postgraduate students 95% non-residential post graduate students
OUR PROPOSAL: Strengthening the relationship of the Hub with its surroundings By analysing the site context, it can be easily seen that there are many opportunities for the Hub to engage with its surroundings, whether in close proximity or afar. Four distinct situations are defined, which form the organizational strategy for the programs to be included in the Hub. Interior Foyer Adjacent landscape and atrium Cityscape at a distance Mountainscape
Overall plan 1:150
Main level 1:100
Mezzaine Level 1:100
CASE 01: Interior foyer The entrance area of the Hub is located adjacent to the foyer. This area connects both the entry from the walkway and the lift. The counter of the restaurant, proposed to be a coffee bar or snack shop (such as Ebenezer or P.C.C.). A long bar table is located at the wall with an opening that allows people to look back down into the foyer space.
Entrance area The entrance is designed in such a way that it allows for the students to easily get oriented to the space at a glance. lift entrance help desk to mezzanine counselling area bar table restaurant/cafe counter IT service corner lecture area message boards
CASE 02: Adjacent landscape and atrium A long narrow space is divided by the structural wall. This space has a great view of the atrium and the landscapes, but it is at the same time difficult to be seen by those below because of its height. By enclosing this space it provides for a secluded area for private or individual activities, such as studying or counselling.
IT Support Center The Message Board The IT Support Center offers spaces for students to easily access the internet or printing and scanning services. By offering such a space, colleagues are more likely to meet each other by chance. The message board acts as a tool of communication between students. Some of the panels are in CORKBOARD for traditional post-its; while others are ELECTRONIC INTERACTIVE DISPLAYS that link to boards that are located around campus where post graduate students would work.
CASE 03: Cityscape Overlooking the cityscape is a double height area that allows for lectures and seminars. The floor is landscaped to induce activities or gathering by means of small furnitures (to be elaborated subsequently). A mezzaine floor allows for a more private area for group gatherings or collaborations even while lectures are being held at the main area.
Reading corner Balcony seating area A library corner is set up that allows students to leave books that they like on the shelves. This book sharing area hopes to facilitate students to spread andshare their ideas and interests. The mezzanine floor is designed so that it can accomodate some people to view the lectures happening below.
lecture/seminar area exhibition / study corner message boards - corkboards and tablets screens - facilitate communication between postgraduate students +7.6 +3.8 AHU Plant room +0.0 view to internal atrium Scale 1:75 small rooms (behind) - for counselling or self-study help desk coffee tables
CASE 04: Mountainscape Since the mezzaine and the roofs are on the same level, we propose to open up one (if not both) roofs as roof gardens to offer greater variety of experience at the Hub.
DETAIL 01: Built-in furniture At the architectural scale, the furniture block defines activities that may happen on the premise. The mass provides opportunities for users to interact directly with the built-environment, while provides opportunities for users to improvise on how to make use of the space. The activities embedded into the mass include terraced platforms for seating or lectures when chairs are put in place and a table bar for studying. This mass extends out to form strips that define spaces for the IT support centre and help desk, library corners, and balcony seating area. library corner seating area (balcony) small class corner table bar help desk seating area (stalls)
shelf and pantry (for small class or gathering) help desk table bar IT support centre common room terrace for seating or lecture
DETAIL 02: Mobile furniture To facilitate habitation of the main area, mobile modules are designed, with proportions that allow group gatherings or individual use. These can be stacked or stored away when not in use, or when the area is needed for larger events. 150mm 450mm 450mm 300mm 300mm 450mm 150mm 300mm
We propose that these furniture modules be placed around the campus, both as a gathering space for postgraduates, and also as a indicator to other postgraduate students of the Hub.
EXTENSION: The new entrance The facade of the Hub extends downward to form the canopy of the walkay at level P7, to indicate a new alternative, accessible and sheltered route to the Hub.
By means of the lift, the corridor continues the timber strip language from the Hub and creates a seating area at the entrance. The two sides of the bridge are flanked with planters to increase the sense of greenery. Scale 1:150
EXTENSION: Reaching out to the Residents The roof of the Hub has slits. This is not just to let diffuse light in to create a ambient atmosphere. It is also installed with colored lighting so that whenever events are held within the Hub, special lighting effects will be emitted, creating a glowing effect. This indicator gets residents curious and come down to join the buzz.
EXTENSION: Reaching out to the campus In consideration of the two strategic vantage points from the campus, the side facade also has slits to allow the emission of special lighting effects, thereby attracting non-residential post-graduate students to come by. View from Sun Yat Sen steps View from Haking Wong canteen