The New Heart of Hong Kong: International Commerce Centre

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Kowloon, or Nine Dragons, has historically been the Chinese flip side to Hong Kong's Central, where British traders first set up trading companies in protected Victoria Harbour. After the relocation of Hong Kong International Airport from Kowloon Bay to Chek Lap Kok, the relaxing of height restrictions allowed for skyscrapers to begin dominating Kowloon's skyline. '10th Dragon Rising', written by Rebecca Lo, chronicles the development of International Commerce Centre (ICC) and how what was originally just another office building is changing the way Hong Kong residents live, work, play and perceive West Kowloon as the new central business district. From Governor David Wilson's 1989 policy address outlining a masterplan for a rail corridor linking a new airport to Central, to KPF's initial design sketches for what became a mixed-use engineering marvel, to case studies of those who have chosen West Kowloon as their office or home, '10th Dragon Rising' illustrates how ICC challenges the old order of Central's dominance. AUTHOR: A native of Hong Kong, Rebecca Lo grew up in Toronto and holds a Bachelor of Interior Design degree from the University of Manitoba. She returned to Hong Kong in 2000 and contributes to Beijing-based China Daily, Shanghai-based LP Luxury Properties, NYC-based Hospitality Design and Manchester-based Sleeper. SELLING POINTS: Charts the architectural development of Hong Kong from a colonial outpost to an Asian financial center The International Commerce Centre boasts a super-high-rise building that houses Hong Kong's "vertical Wall Street" This monumental architecture is brought down to a human scale through vernacular metaphors such as the dragon 170 photographs and 30 illustrations

Author Bio

A native of Hong Kong, Rebecca Lo grew up in Toronto and holds a Bachelor of Interior Design degree from the University of Manitoba. She returned to Hong Kong in 2000 and contributes to Beijing-based China Daily, Shanghai-based LP Luxury Properties, NYC-based Hospitality Design, and Manchester-based Sleeper. Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited "SHKP" was publicly listed in 1972 and is now one of the largest property companies in Hong Kong. It specialises in developing premium-quality residential projects, offices, and shopping centres. The Group employs more than 37,000 people. Photography by Grischa Ruschendorf.