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Tseung Kwan O Swimming Pool Complex, Library,
Indoor Recreation Centre and District Open Space
New
directions in recreation
 A
New Town marks a new direction in public sports and leisure facilities
at Tsueng Kwan O. Offered an unusually large site to work with,
the complex's
designers have formed a low-lying recreational oasis amid the area's
rapidly changing landscape.
Unlike many existing developments
that comprise a swimming complex and indoor recreation centre in
a tight urban site, the generous Tseung Kwan O site allowed for
a park-like approach and clearly defined functions laid-out alongside
each other. Conceived as a focal point for the local public, the
complex's
elements each stand out clearly within the configuration: a swimming
pool area offering both formal and leisure swimming facilities;
an indoor recreation centre with a GFA of 4,200 sq m, a library
with a 3,000 sq m GFA and soft landscaped District Open Space with
sitting out areas.
Each
element is accessible from the civic open space at the main entrance
and gathering point, highlighted by a clock tower and a soaring
disc-like canopy. The pool complex entrance is placed directly to
the front while the library is placed to the left and the IRC is
located at the right.
As
a major element within the complex, the swimming pool deck area
is partitioned from the other two elements by a linear spectator
stand and the service building holding the changing rooms, restaurant
and other related facilities. The pool area provides for both formal
and informal use. An Olympic-sized pool is adjacent to the spectator
stand and a diving pool, training pool and two teaching pools --
all rectilinear -- are placed nearby. The second half of the pool
deck area yields a more informal organisation of space, with free-form
leisure pools, fountain play facilities, curvy water slides and
plant rooms concealed behind artificial rock.
The
adjacent indoor recreation centre follows a rectangular form, reflecting
the functional requirements inside. A multi-purpose court is the
centrepiece, able to house one handball court, two basketball courts,
two volleyball courts or eight badminton courts at a time, all viewable
from an 830-seat arena-style spectator stand. Additional facilities
include three squash courts, a fitness training room and a dance
and activity room.
The
library adopts its striking, introverted form for the users' benefit,
explained the Architectural Services Department project architect.
Unlike the rest of the complex, the library is not so much a recreational
place as it is cultural space for quiet learning and reading. The
circular building envelope creates an inward-looking form with window
openings large enough to introduce natural light but not so big
as to admit unwanted visual distractions from outside. Additional
natural light is admitted to the two-storey building from a central
skylit atrium. Facilities include adult and junior libraries, a
students' study room, a newspaper and periodicals section, an audio-visual
library, an extension activities room, a computer room and associated
facilities.
To
unify the various elements across the site, the buildings are coated
in a single colour scheme. A pinky brown with milky white highlights
was applied in spray-on painted coatings to major surfaces.
site plan
The
District Open Space is planned to complement the park-like setting,
already surrounded by a cycle track and green belt beside the nearby
highways. The continuation of greenery into the gap between the
complex and neighbouring school and residential developments ensures
a pleasant surrounding to the entire site. The open space will also
offer a shortcut to the MTR station to the north of the site, set
to open in 2002.
Leisure and Cultural Services
Department
client
Architectural Services
Department
project architect
project manager
structural engineer
landscape architect
Simon Kwan & Associates
consultant architect
Ove Arup & Partners
consultant building services engineer
DG Jones & Partners
(HK) Ltd
consultant quantity surveyor
Kim Hung Construction
and Engineer Co Ltd
building contractor
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