The Government is proceeding with the implementation of the Wan Chai Development Phase II and Central-Wan Chai Bypass projects. Several existing waterfront facilities will have to be demolished after the reprovisioned facilities are in operation.

     The reprovisioned Wan Chai ferry pier and the permanent government helipad will be at prominent locations along the new Wan Chai waterfront. Their appearance should be visually pleasing and complimentary to the surrounding urban fabric. The consultants employed by the Civil Engineering and Development Department for designing these structures have proposed two exterior design options for consideration.

     The first exterior design uses Modern City as design theme. Metal cladding of the structure and a modern architectural design language will echo Hong Kong抯 image as a Modern Asia City. Glazed area of the building will be covered by graphic films, showing images of Wan Chai history to mingle with the new and old Wan Chai scenarios. The structural columns of the ferry pier with metal cladding and bracings branch out in a random and abstract tree pattern. The abstract tree form will echo landscaping on the roof of the ferry pier, visually reducing the weight of the landscaped roof above.

     Another design uses Natural Waterfront as design theme. Natural materials will create a leisurely atmosphere along the waterfront. Synthetic timbers by using environmentally friendly plastic materials are arranged in wavy pattern to exhibit a natural appearance and to add vitality to the waterfront to echo the water-themed Wan Chai North waterfront. Rows of vertical synthetic timber fins will be arranged in a wavy pattern and greening on the roof of the ferry pier to cover the structure and visually lighten the heavy building mass as well as adding greening of the harbour-front area.

     AECOM Asia Co Ltd and Architecture Design and Research Group Ltd (AD+RG) are the consultants of this project.