Nestled at the entrance of Mai Po Nature Reserve, the WWF Peter Scott Visitor Centre is a dedicated hub for conservation and management of wetland ecosystem, environmental research and immersive learning experiences.
The program envisions a dynamic and public Ground Floor that welcomes visitors with its Learning Centre, Jockey Club Gallery, a gift shop and Kingfisher café. The Upper Floor houses numerous private spaces for researchers and staff, featuring a series of interior volumes - accommodation rooms, meeting and training rooms.
A sparse yet warm palette of heavily textured paint and bamboo form the main finishes for the interior, reflecting our desire to present architecture in an ecological way. Spatially, a pyramidal volume gives a unifying core of gravity to the whole Centre.
This asymmetrical volume is achieved by simply linking the skylight, which is proportioned to give generous daylight while reducing thermal gain, and the footprint of the atrium. This child-like, primitive but uplifting form is defined by mass-bamboo slats, with three “bird hides” on the Upper Floor overlooking visitors and activities below: the east hide is positioned at the top of the staircase landing and act as a breakout space from meeting rooms; the south hide forms part of the accommodation rooms’ communal hallway; the north hide appears as a wall niche inside the training room. All the functions on the lower and upper floors are organized around this atrium.
The interior scheme brings nature in and out of the Centre, supporting more sustainable and activating learning experiences. Extended from the main entrance, the Ground Floor features a floor pattern that references the flyway of birds, with curved terrazzo flooring that nods to the harmonious hue of nature. Modular bamboo seating sculptures from Bamboo International Group with tea tables from Hong Kong Timberbank highlight the atrium with an inviting atmosphere. Flappable wooden shelving at the gift shop and curved bamboo walls at the gallery brings organic appeal to the interior. Full-height glazed doors optimize air circulation and direct visitors to enjoy the panoramic view of the Mai Po fishing ponds.
Nine accommodation rooms with en-suite bathrooms spread across the Upper Floor. A subdued color scheme has been employed throughout the rooms, along with woven cane cabinets and headboards, and selected furniture made of natural materials, to evoke a sense of comfort and hominess. The hallway is adorned with seating niches and teak wood furniture for intimate dialogues.
