Foster + Partners Green Roofed Kai Tak Terminal Breaks Ground in Hong Kong

Foster + Partners‘ Kai Tak Cruise Terminal in Hong Kong began construction today. The terminal will be built at the abandoned airport tarmac on the eastern entrance to the famous harbor. While the primary role of the terminal will be to support the coming and going of cruise ships, a huge green park on the roof and multiple adaptive changes in the main building mean that many types of events can be held right on the water. Foster + Partners also promises a slew of sustainable features like renewable energy and rain catchment.

The terminal will have the capacity to disembark a total of 8,400 passengers and 1,200 crew and its design also anticipates the demands of a new generation of larger cruise liners currently being designed. The spacious interior, which spans 70 metres, is highly flexible – the concourse areas can be converted into a venue for performances, events and exhibitions, supported by the terminal’s wide variety of restaurants and shops – this ensures that the building will be used all year round and can fully utilise down time. The sustainable design combines a number of energy saving measures and will generate power from renewable sources, as well as making use of recycled rain water for cooling.

Sources: Inhabitat and Foster + Partners