Advancing Net Zero – Refurbishment of Toilet Blocks at Pet Garden of Central and Western District Promenade | 2024

Location: Hong Kong, SAR
Architects: Architectural Services Department, HKSAR
Design Team: M.C. Chung, Raymond Chan, William Tsang, Paul Lau, Vincent Chan, Adrian Lo, Amy Lai, Donald Ngai, Chandler Lam, Ziv Yip, Teresa Lai, and Lily Yuan
Client: Architectural Services Department, HKSAR
Photographs: Courtesy of the Architects

Innovative Urban Morphology
The Advancing Net Zero project at the Pet Garden of Central and Western District Promenade is a beacon of innovative urban morphology. It aligns with Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050 and surpasses the World Green Building Council’s standard by achieving over 60% embodied carbon reduction. The project form respects the skyline and color tally with the vibrant promenade responding to the Victoria Harbour. The iconic appearance attracts tourists and promotes the visual and sustainable image of Hong Kong to international visitors.

Well-being of All Walks of Residents
The project’s focus on the well-being of residents is evident in its permeability, providing wind corridors along the façade and segregating the building with a semi-open interior design. Community health and safety are ensured with interior breathing landscape plants that purify air, encourage natural lighting and cross-ventilation. Inclusiveness is fostered with BFA toilet, kids and family-friendly toilets and uni-sex toilet facilities. Convenience is enhanced with water bottle refilling stations and low-carbon 3D benches for active park users and their pets.

Sustainable Urban Development
Sustainable urban development is the core of this project, with a focus on reducing the carbon footprint through the use of daylight to illuminate spaces and natural cross-ventilation instead of mechanical ventilation. Low carbon materials such as PMMA board with recycled glass, resin-based GRP façade and low-carbon concrete are used, along with water-saving toilet flushes, and hand dryer integrated faucets to discourage the use of paper hand towels. Renewable energies are harnessed through Air-purifying Integrated PV (AIPV) on roof, walkable PV panels and low-wind-speed turbines to capture the harbor breeze. The project is achieving a 60% reduction in embodied carbon and 70% in operational carbon. Most materials are sourced within the Greater Bay Area to reduce transportation carbon footprint.

Sensitive Response and Reinforcement
The project shows a sensitive response and reinforcement of local culture by fostering a sustainable urban lifestyle with a sustainable education landmark and public educational events. It shares knowledge with industry partners on low-carbon architecture and uses digital panels to illustrate carbon reduction with renewable resources.

Advancement of Urban Design
The project represents the advancement of urban design with new ideas and design approaches. Collaboration with research institutes like the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute (NAMI) and universities makes the project a test ground for local technology and new material advancement showcasing the project’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in urban design.