Building Renovation

Role: Design Team Leader @ RAD Ltd.
Location: Aberdeen, Hong Kong
Client: SilkRoad Ltd
Year: 2016-2018
Status: Built
Size: 700sqm
Main Contractor: Maytik Ltd
Lift Consultant: Kone
Cladding Supplier: SKK
Structure Engineer: BC+S
E&M: Megabase
Photography: Brian Smeets
Program: Retail

The client asked us to transform an existing building into a more suitable commercial space. We proposed to retain the original building structure while improving the layout and the facade hence the banyan tree reference. This tree starts its life as a plant growing on another plant. Our architectural intervention will indeed radically affect the existing building; almost growing on top of the existing structure the new addition and transformation aims to enhance the character of the site. The building stands at the corner of Aberdeen Main Road which represents the main entry point to this vibrant district.
The original name of this tree comes from India where early travelers observed that the shade of the tree was frequented by ‘Banias’ or Indian traders. A tree under which merchants would conduct their business, eventually “banyan” became the name of the tree itself. Nowadays this kind of tree is very common in Hong Kong and it reflects the very peculiar resilient character of its inhabitants of moving forward without losing their original roots. Hopefully, this quality will be reflected in this intervention and provide new trade and commercial opportunities for the Aberdeen district.