tête-bêche : experience the urban edge of Hong Kong

tête-bêche : experience the urban edge of Hong Kong

“By making we realize idea is only a seed for extension in phenomena. Sensations of experience become a kind of reasoning distinct to the making of architecture.” – Anchoring, Steven Holl

[abstract]

Hong Kong is famous for her densely built environment, but the proximity of the city to nature is also amazing. It is easy to have visual connection between the nature and city, but this unique quality is yet to be explored through architecture.

By following the three steps in phenomenological approach mentioned by Norberg-Schulz in Towards a Phenomenology of Architecture, a series of public space will be designed with sensory awareness. There will be nodes for every encounter between people / automobiles / traces, to provide a unique experience of meeting at the edge of urban and natural environment of Hong Kong.

[statement]

“Architecture and nature are joined in a metaphysics of place” – Steven Holl

The proposition was started with a novel named “tête-bêche”. Tête-bêche is a joined pair of stamps in which one is upside-down in relation to the other, produced intentionally or accidentally. This name reveals the structure of the novel. The parallel narrative lines of two characters run in opposite directions from two ends, and accidentally the two people meet each other. Afterwards although they keep going in their own pace and directions, the brief meeting has caused ripples in their mind subtly.

The twelve-tone technique used in 20th century music shares some similarities in structure with the novel. A motive expresses itself again and again in different layers, with notes or intervals in reverse order. The chords formed when the lines collide are unpredictable.

In the design, through participating in different programmes, in which activities are carried out in different speed, people encounter each other and their multiple sensations are triggered. Thus people can get a more complete perception of the space, i.e. how the edge of the urban environment interweaves the nature. The experience, of when and where they move and dwell, will be designed with careful consideration of the site context.

[project]

Glenealy in Central will be the testing ground. It is a valley surrounded by the Government Hill, the Botanical and Zoological Gardens, the Roman Catholic Cathedral and the residential area in Mid-levels. Over the streams running from the Victoria Peak surrounded by trees, the Glenealy Flyover links the main roads in Mid-levels to the CPD, i.e. Central and Admiralty.

There are different circulation running – the automobiles, the passer-bys, the hikers going up to the peak, and the water in the stream.

[methodology]

Analysis on the traffic flow, the pedestrian behavior, and the landscape will be carried out.

In the design, flyovers should not solely provide speed and convenience. It becomes a test site for speculation on alternatives in infrastructure. With different streams of circulation collide, people may get a more complete perception about the space.

Nodes are designed for people to assemble. Different programmes such as meditation space, running track, car park etc. are introduced for collisions in different speeds.

Ultimately a series of public space will be created for people to travel from the mid-levels to the CPD, but at the same time to have close encounter with the nature.

[precedents / bibliography]

Inujima Seirensho Art Museum / Highline / Asia Society Center, Hong Kong

Abbas, M.A. Hong Kong : culture and the politics of disappearance, Hong Kong. Hong Kong University Press, 1997

Gehl, Jan. Life Between Buildings Using Public Space, Denmark. The Danish Architectural Press, 2006.

Holl, Steven. Anchoring, NY, USA. Princeton Architectural Press, 1989.

Holl, Steven. Edge of a City, NY, USA. Princeton Architectural Press, 1991.

Li, Zhi-ming. 單聲道：城市的聲音與記憶 (Monotype : Sound and Memory of City), Taiwan. Linking Books Press, 2013.

Liu, Yichang. 對倒 (Tête-bêche), Hong Kong. Huo Yi Chu ban Shi Ye You Xian Gong Si, 2000.

Lynch, Kevin. The Images of the City, MA. MIT Press, 1960.

Schoemaker, Jacqueline. The Undivided City, The Netherlands. Onomatopee, 2012.

Turner, Tom. City as Landscape, London. E & FN Spon, 1996.