Beautiful sceneries are the assets of our city. The “Breeze”, the proposed cycling track in Ting Kau Hong Kong by architectural designer Chun Chi Cheung, is an attempt to provide an effective and comfortable means connecting these beautiful places together for the public to relax and enjoy, and to arouse them once again how beautiful our city really is.
HARMONIOUS WITH THE NATURE
Its existence is in a free and organic form, just like a ribbon dancing under the wind. We call it the “Breeze”, because its fundamental concept is to pay tribute to the Nature, as if it was part of the Nature. We hope the public could also be brought closer to the Nature through the Breeze. Its harmonious and unique sculptural form would become an affinity for the public, even the tourists, to join in this nature exploration journey. In turn, we believe our city’s image could be enhanced.
RESTING STATION NO LONGER JUST FOR REST
To enrich this nature exploration journey, the proposed resting stations will no longer be just for rest. Variety of events could be introduced into the stations and the shaded areas on the track to arouse the interest of the public towards Nature, for examples, an insect garden, butterfly house, aviary, botanical garden, a mini-zoo, a mini-aquarium, an astronomy mini-observatory, a reptile garden and even a dinosaur park. These events would definitely make the cycling activities more attractive and interesting, especially for the families.
ECONOMY AND BUILDABILITY
Diagrid (diagonal grid), which is used, is a structural design for constructing large development with steel that creates triangular structures with diagonal support beams. It requires less structural steel than a conventional steel frame. Hearst Tower in New York City, designed by Sir Norman Foster, reportedly uses 21 percent less steel than a standard design. The diagrid also obviates the need for large vertical columns and provides a better distribution of load in this project. Apart from diagrid structure, the design is also built up by algorithmic parametric computer model and is carefully subdivided into several smaller modules to facilitate mass production. By variating the module combinations, a free and meandering form is evolved.
LIGHTNESS AND TRANSPARENCY
Steel diagrid structure is intrinsically having a very light and transparent expression owing to its high porosity. Together with the proposed organic and harmonious form, its presence would definitely be less intrusive and massive than the normal concrete structures, taking into consideration with its close proximity to some existing buildings along the beaches.
EXTENSION OF NIGHT LIFE:
LED lighting is installed in the structural members and there will be a spectacular light show every night. This not only could extend the night life of our busy urban people for gathering and enjoyment, but also provide another visual icon for our city when the structure glittering and changing colour at night. We also invent a “Rainbow” interactive effect in the design, whenever the cyclist could drive through the shelters at a certain speed, the color change of the LED lighting would be synchronized with the motion of the bicycle. This is achieved by installing a series of motion sensors along the shelters of the cycle track. We believe the “Rainbow” could become one of lifetime memorable event for every cyclist.
SUSTAINABILITY
The power consumption of the structure will be offset by the energy generated from solar panels installed on the shelters, and we aim to achieve the Zero Carbon (Type 2) standard for this project. The definition of the Zero Carbon (Type 2) is “area within the Zero Carbon Boundary is connected to local grid. Production of onsite renewable energy offsets the power consumed from grid over an annual basis.”
A SENSE OF WILDERNESS
To echo with the Nature, a sense of wilderness is evoked in the landscaping treatment. Variety of wild flowers and grasses are planted in the cycle track. Diagrid structure will also be covered with wire mesh for climbers to grow to reinforce this green concept.
