Renovation of the Hong Kong Museum of Art

The existing Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMA) was built in 1991.  Over 23 years, there was an urgent need to extend and upgrade the museum and its facilities and equipment to address the shortage of art exhibition space and to enhance the service of HKMA.  Scopes of this project are two-folds summarized as below:-

Expansion
- Provision of the entrance foyer on G/F, to enhance the visitors’ experience
- Additional gallery spaces at new-built two-storey extension Annex Wing and 5/F expansion on  the original  roof floor
- Provision of a restaurant, cafe and bookshop, to utilize the vibrancy of Victoria Harbour

Renovation
- Architectural interventions and features on the entire facades of the museum to create an  iconic image for branding
- Conversion of curved circulation staircase to a transparent lounge area on all floors, at the East Wing galleries
- Refurbishment of curatorial office and 4 existing galleries

Existing volumes are preserved and decorated to intensify the public image of HKMoA to the city. To reinterpret the cultural value of the museum collection, new cladding’s tangible texture echoes traditional masonry pattern. Aspired by the undulated seascape of the Victoria Harbour, the façade with the multi-faceted fibre cement cladding, animates with the interplay of light and shadow that changes over time and weather. 

Renovated and expansion area are designed as transparent volumes, to carve out existing building mass by light-originating voids and to engage new dialogue with urban realm.The skewed form of Annex Wing respects the geometry of original structure, and provides backdrop for the piazza of the Cultural Complex, which are frequently used for public performance and event. It has a transparent volume placed on the ground enhancing visual dialogue, and an opaque block floating above a glazed void, where strict environmental control of exhibits is needed.

The sustainable measures of this project are implemented mainly through passive design approach through items below:

Ventilated Façade
- The air chamber between the building and the external façade which is renewed by convection allows energy saving. This chamber facilitated the building to maintain its warmth in winter and its insulation in summer, thus reducing the energy cost by up to 15%.

Other considerations on façade design
- The majority of the existing wall tiles on the museum concrete wall was left intact to reduce C&D waste; Provisions of low-e glass and laminated mesh are incorporated to filter direct sunlight and UV.  

Greenery and Amenity
- Additional greenery area and amenity facilities on the roof area and piazza for beautification.

Environmental devices and systems
High efficiency air-cooled chillers with variable speed drive; automatic demand control of chilled water circulation system; re-provision of the PV panels, etc.

Material Used :
1. EQUITONE – Fiber Cement Board - Facade Cladding
2. Okalux – Laminated glass 
3. KME- Bronze plate cladding - TECU
4. Wrightstyle – Fire-rated glazing system