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Programme: Pump House
Site: Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Size: 443 sqm
Completion Date: In progress
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A water pumping facility is needed to bring fresh water from downstream to a remote school upstream.

In a world that celebrates BIGNESS in architecture, this is perhaps one of the smallest “infrastructure” projects that an architect, rather than an engineer, has been commissioned.

The building tectonic is straightforward. The single-storey steel structure is clad by corrugated sheet metals. The main facade is design with concrete blocks with accented structural steel to highlight the client’s value. The design of the facade expressed tectonic honesty: the crucifix steel beams reflect the floor level. A change in design specifications of the water pumps by the engineer mid way along the design process altered its floor height and our architectural intent. The once Miesian inspired design has morphed into a Robert Venturi’s “Duck.” The facade becomes a mere symbol, its structural authenticity suddenly disappeared.

Architecture can have a funny way to play joke on the architect’s intent. In this instant, expression on space, materiality and tectonic still prevail.

And the architect can quit theorizing finally.
A water pumping facility is needed to bring fresh water from downstream to a remote school upstream.

In a world that celebrates BIGNESS in architecture, this is perhaps one of the smallest “infrastructure” projects that an architect, rather than an engineer, has been commissioned.

The building tectonic is straightforward. The single-storey steel structure is clad by corrugated sheet metals. The main facade is design with concrete blocks with accented structural steel to highlight the client’s value. The design of the facade expressed tectonic honesty: the crucifix steel beams reflect the floor level. A change in design specifications of the water pumps by the engineer mid way along the design process altered its floor height and our architectural intent. The once Miesian inspired design has morphed into a Robert Venturi’s “Duck.” The facade becomes a mere symbol, its structural authenticity suddenly disappeared.

Architecture can have a funny way to play joke on the architect’s intent. In this instant, expression on space, materiality and tectonic still prevail.

And the architect can quit theorizing finally.