HONG KONG, Jan. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- February 9, 2012 will mark the transformation of four former British military buildings in Admiralty into a cultural and educational hub by Asia Society Hong Kong (ASHK) Center, the premier provider of educational and cultural programs for 20 years. This heritage site, located at 9 Justice Drive, Admiralty, is revitalized with funds generously donated by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and other donors. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Former Explosives Magazine houses the new ASHK Center.
The "then" Former Explosives Magazine Compound
The new center showcases the conservation, rehabilitation and adaptive re-use of Former Explosives Magazine Compound - a group of four former British military buildings, three of which are Grade 1 historical structures. It was built by the British Army in the mid-19th century to store explosives. Left vacant since 1980s, it is one of the few remaining structures of the British military lands in Hong Kong is of great historical, architectural and cultural significance to the city.
The "now" cultural hub for intellectual exchange - Asia Society Hong Kong Center
Housing the ASHK Center, the transformed facilities will provide a unique venue for educational programs for students and the general public on heritage, arts, culture and contemporary affairs. The Center has a diverse array of facilities, including Asia Society Gallery (Former Magazine A) - a gallery space to host world class art exhibitions; Miller Theater (Former Magazine B) - a modern and multi-purpose theater with state-of-the-art equipment; as well as several conference rooms and The Hong Kong Jockey Club Hall, a multi-function hall which will be ideal venues for conferences or lectures. Furthermore, the presence of a Visitor Center, Cafe, roof garden and Asia Society Store will also contribute to the experience of visiting the center.
Concepts behind revitalization of the site
The site's architectural work was carried out by two internationally acclaimed architects from New York, Mr Tod Williams and Ms Billie Tsien (from Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects), whose design came out on top after several rounds of competition. Their design focuses on 3 key architectural considerations, namely:
Horizontality: Hong Kong is a vertical city populated by tall, narrow buildings. In contrast to that, this heritage site is a horizontal plane. Instead of having another tall building, the advisory council chose Tod and Billie's design as it was "the shortest, only two and a half stories high," and celebrates the horizontality of the site.
Connectivity:The architects' design also demonstrates a strong sense of connectivity. The upper site (Heritage Compound) and the lower site (Entry Pavilion) are physically connected by the double-decker footbridge. It is also a bridge connecting the old and the new; the heritage building to the new building. It resonates with Asia Society's mission of connecting the East (Asia) and the West (The United States).
Adaptive Reuse: The architects restored the buildings to their original form and inserted a complete and separate new life into them. According to Billie, they focused on "restoring the buildings, particularly the exteriors", but on the interiors, they "keep the sense of the past but have really put in brand new programs."
Inaugural Public Forums and Heritage Site Tours
As an intellectual platform to enhance the understanding about Asia, diverse and inspiring public forums under three key pillars of Business & Policy; Heritage & Architecture; and Arts & Culture will be held. Free guided tours led by notable personalities, trained docents, and student ambassadors will also be available to public for which people may register online.
Inaugural Exhibition - Transforming Minds: Buddhism in Art
Transforming Minds: Buddhism in Art is co-organized by Asia Society Museum, New York and Asia Society Hong Kong Center. Curators: Adriana Proser, John H. Foster Curator of Traditional Asian Art and Miwako Tezuka, Associate Curator of Contemporary Art.
Inaugurating Asia Society Gallery (Former Magazine A), the exhibitionshowcases traditional pieces dating back to the 6th century from the world-renowned Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection of Asian Art together with contemporary works by leading Asian and Asian American artists. With the Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation as its presenting sponsor of the exhibition and its related public programming, education programming and film series, as well as Bank of America Merrill Lynch as the exhibition's corporate sponsor, the exhibition will be on display from February 10 to May 20 2012.
About Asia Society Hong Kong Center
The Asia Society Hong Kong Center (ASHK Center) was established in 1990 by a group of Hong Kong community leaders, led by Sir Q.W. Lee, the Chairman of Hang Seng Bank. It is the first overseas center of the 11 centers of Asia Society, which was founded in 1956 by John D. Rockefeller 3rd in New York as a not-for-profit, non-government educational organization to promote understanding of Asian culture and countries.
Located at 9 Justice Drive, the Asia Society Hong Kong Center at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Former Explosives Magazine carries historical, architectural and cultural significance to the city. Revitalized with funds generously donated by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and other local and international individuals and organizations, the ASHK Center combines heritage conservation with a distinctive modern aesthetic that has created a dynamic complex allowing the Center to extend our educational programs to the larger community. The transformed facilities will not only provide a unique venue for educational programs for students and general public on heritage, arts, culture and contemporary affairs, but also symbolize a partnership between the non-profit sector, local business and the Hong Kong government in heritage revitalization and cultural exchange.
Link to download site photos:
ftp://lighthousehk.dlinkddns.com/
Username: ashk
Password: ashk@lh
