FT: Asia Society Hong Kong an 'Understated Architectural Gem'
Reviewer cites 'crisp, clean modernity'
The Financial Times published an article on the architectural design of Asia Society Hong Kong Center on May 12, 2012. Edwin Heathcote described the Center as an "understated architectural gem" when he addressed the lack of art scenes in Hong Kong. Heathcote went on to describe his experience touring the site.
The first experience is of a crisp, clean modernity. A waterfall gushes against walls of velvety-dark Burmese stone, evoking the ethereal simplicity of Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona pavilion. The lobby is dark and minimal (a bit too much like a designer hotel) and leads to a walkway that takes visitors to the gallery, its jagged path designed to avoid a couple of trees housing rare fruit bats. From here you get glimpses of the city's fast-changing skyline and the docks, all framed by forest. Another level of walkway above is sculpted from concrete into intriguing angles and retro shapes. If you look back from the walkway, you see a restaurant hanging beneath the lobby, currently being fitted out, and a large function room gives on to the surrounding landscape with walls of finely detailed glass. Suddenly the new building behind you looks like an avant-garde Los Angeles hillside villa.
Asia Society Hong Kong's inaugural exhibition Tranforming Minds: Buddhism in Art is extended until July 22, 2012. Please click here for further information.