Merit Award in Architecture – Christian Zheng Sheng Ha Keng Centre by Index Architecture
Project Overview
The site is set in a valley surrounded by nature on a remote island in Hong Kong. The only means of access is througha 800 meters uphill trail from a pier connected by private boat to the nearest island. For the past 20 years, the clienthas used defunct pig farm and abandoned village houses as their shelters to run the facility. This new rehabilitationproject houses approximately 100-120 juveniles convicted for substance abuse and other misdemeanors, providingthem with studying and boarding services.
The physical remoteness forces the teenagers to confront and reflect on their pasts. Nature acts as the best medicine.A sense of spiritual solitude is coupled with a strong brotherly/sisterly bond amongst the students. This project is acontemporary monastery for the once-troubled teenagers.
The remoteness of the site prohibits any kind of large-scale machinery or large prefabrication pieces to access iteconomically. Cast-in-place concrete system was chosen as it presents the most direct way to transport the buildingmaterials to this remote location.
The entire structure is built on stilts to minimize disturbance to the landscape. The nature of the facility demandsmaximum spatial and programmatic flexibility. The exoskeletal structure system addresses this demand. Orientedslightly different than each other to maximize sunlight and ventilation exposure, the three building blocks cascadedown the valley and follow the natural terrain of the site.
Architecture is for the body and the soul. Our solutions responded to the physical and spiritual needs of arehabilitation facility.
Project History
Christian Zheng Sheng College (CZSC) is a drug addiction treatment center for troubled teens, emphasizing lifeeducation and Christian beliefs. Initially using pig farms and abandoned houses, CZSC faced local opposition when theHong Kong government proposed relocating it to a vacant school, the relocation project was highly publicized duringresidents’ protests in 2009. In 2011, CZSC was permitted to build a new facility on-site. The project involved extensivenegotiations, taking six years for approvals. Construction began in late 2016 and was completed in August 2020. After11 years of challenges, the community is pleased to celebrate the new center.
Project Team
Architect : LEE LEUNG CHUNG, ANDERSON
Company : Index Architecture Limited
Associate Architect: –
Owner: Christian Zheng Sheng Association Limited
