HSBC Hong Kong headquarters building Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
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2 Design 3 Characteristics 4 Lion statues 5 Its role in Hong Kong Harbour Lighting Plan 6 See also 7 External links |
Brief history
The HSBC Hong Kong headquarters building is located along the southern side of Statue Square, in Central, at the location of the old City Hall (built 1869, demolished 1933). Its address is 1 Queen's Road, Central, 5 minutes walk from Central MTR Station or from Star Ferry Pier. The initial HSBC building was built in 1935. It was demolished in 1981 and rebuilt at the same site in April 1986.When it was completed, it was then the most expensive building in the world (c.a.HK$5.2 billion).
Design
The new building was designed by the British architect Norman Foster. From the concept to completion, it took 6 years (1979-1985). The building is a 180-meter high building of 47 storeys and four basement levels. The building has a module design consisting of five steel modules prefabricated in the UK and shipped to Hong Kong. In total 30,000 tonnes of steel and 4,500 tonnes of aluminum were used. It costs exceeded US $670 million.
Another characteristic of the building is that all flooring is made from lightweight movable panels, under which you can find out a comprehensive network of power, telecommunication and air-conditioning systems. Hence installation of equipments or computer terminals become far easier.
Like the other statues of Statue Square, the two bronze lion statues in front of the building were displaced to Japan to be melted by the occupying Japanese during World War II. They were recovered at the end of the war.
HSBC had always aimed to execute a new lighting scheme because Foster did not pay much attention to the illumination of the building at nighttime. It only gave out a dim light with the incorrect sodium lighting.
This is an Article on HSBC Hong Kong headquarters building. Page Contains Information, Facts Details or Explanation Guide About HSBC Hong Kong headquarters building Characteristics
One of the characteristics of HSBC Hong Kong headquarter is that it makes use of the natural sunlight for lighting. There is a bank of giant mirrors at the top of the atrium and the mirrors can reflect natural sunlight into the atrium and hence down into the plaza. This design helps a lot in conserving energy used in lighting. Besides,sun shades are provided on the external facades to avoid direct sunlight going into the building and to reduce heat gain. Moreover,sea water is used instead of fresh water for toilet flushing and as coolant for the air-conditioning system to save energy.Lion statues
Its role in Hong Kong Harbour Lighting Plan
The Hong Kong Tourism Commission developed Hong Kong Harbour Lighting Plan, which stands for the largest permanent lighting, laser and special effects show, in order to promote tourism in Hong Kong, especially after the SARS crisis in 2003. The Commission appointed Laservision as their consultants to help creating a permanent ‘light show’ based on the illumination of significant buildings, which overlook the city’s renowned Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong and Kowloon. HSBC Hong Kong headquarters building was chosen to be one of them. It was incorporated 716 intelligent lights including 450 Colour changing fluorescent fixtures in the glass stairwells, Martin Exterior 600’s and 200 fixtures on five levels, 8
Search lights and over one kilometre of LED lighting around the top of the building.See also
External links