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 Emperor Group Centre @ WC, HK,  | International Design Awards Winners
 Emperor Group Centre @ WC, HK,  | International Design Awards Winners
 Emperor Group Centre @ WC, HK,  | International Design Awards Winners
 Emperor Group Centre @ WC, HK,  | International Design Awards Winners
 Emperor Group Centre @ WC, HK,  | International Design Awards Winners
 Emperor Group Centre @ WC, HK,  | International Design Awards Winners
 Emperor Group Centre @ WC, HK,  | International Design Awards Winners
 Emperor Group Centre @ WC, HK,  | International Design Awards Winners
 Emperor Group Centre @ WC, HK,  | International Design Awards Winners
 Emperor Group Centre @ WC, HK,  | International Design Awards Winners
 Emperor Group Centre @ WC, HK,  | International Design Awards Winners

Emperor Group Centre @ WC, HK

Lead Designers
Prize(s)Honorable Mention
Entry Description

Alteration and Addition for Emperor Group Centre, Wanchai.


Wanchai, where the Emperor Group Centre Building is located, is a busy district packed with buildings finished with glitzy facades, making it difficult for pedestrians to differentiate and identify one’s location. The petrol station in turn became the most handy point of reference along Hennessy Road.

Emperor Group Centre building borders on Hennessy Road, Mallory Street and Wanchai Road. Before renovation, the visual linkage between the entrance for the office tower and the entrance for the mall on the other side was weak on the street level. While the entrance for office tower was making a strong corporate identity, the shops were not visually clearly distinguished from the URA project across Mallory Street.

To create a stronger visual coherence on the 3 sides, along the 1.5m canopy LED light belts were used to bring a continuity linking the 2 nodal entrances and the 3 sides together. The facades were also re-cladded with Giallo S.F. stone.

A mega LEDTV is installed on the exterior facing Hennessy Road for corporate and entertainment communications of the Group. On the side facing Wanchai Road, an animated LED TV is installed. On the street level, vertical signages are installed to punctuate the building block, adding a visual rhythm. These all help the Centre to distinguish itself in the busy and crowded area, thereby creating a landmark in the district, helping pedestrians to locate themselves.

“Rain drop” alabaster illuminators give definition to the façade above the podium level, so that nothing is overshadowed by podium signages at night time. The illumination also help introduce pedestrians back to use Mallory Street.

Bio

Barrie Ho, the Founder and Director of the Hong Kong based architects firm Barrie Ho Architecture Interiors Ltd (BHA), is one of the most influential architectural designers of his generation practicing today. Frequently described as �young at age, high in seniority�.

Ho received his design education at the University of Hong Kong where he graduated with a Master�s Degree in Architecture with distinction and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Architectural Studies (1st Honor). He has also obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interior Design with commendation as well as a Diploma in Design.

From 2003 to this day, Ho has proudly won over 30 design awards at the Asia Pacific Interior Design Awards, Hong Kong Designers� Association Awards and Perspective Design Recognition Awards. He was also awarded Outstanding Greater China Design Awards for 3 consecutive years between 2006 and 2008. Personal accolades include Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award 2005, Ten Outstanding Designer Award 2005, Vocational Training Council Honorary Fellow, one of the recipients of the Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award 2007, and was among the inaugural 40 Under 40 selection by Perspective Magazine that recognises young design talents in the Greater China region. Ho�s furniture designs have also won numerous acclaims: MING Collection furniture was awarded the international 2007 ADEX Award for Design Excellence; while ZEN Collection was awarded Hong Kong Designers Association Awards 07 - Gold Award (Category of Furniture), Fortune China Magazine�s 2007 China�s Most Successful Designs Award, and 4 awards at 2008 ADEX Award for Design Excellence.

From 2000 to 2005, Ho was the Chairman of the Hong Kong Interior Design Association. In 2002, Ho was the Director of the Hong Kong Design Centre and as the Vice Chairman at HKDC Board of Directors in 2004. Ho was also the Advisor of the Professional Services Promotion Committee of Hong Kong Trade Development Council from 2003-2006, Advisor of Academic Advisory Committee of HK Polytechnic University since 2003 as well as the member of the Hong Kong Design Institute Advisory Board of IVE, VTC since 2004, and Guest Curator of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum 2004-2005, when he performed his curatorial duties for �Spaces and Places� � an exhibition showcasing works from 4 architects-cum-artists � from July to December 2005. Ho is also a visiting lecturer at various universities and institutes in Hong Kong and is frequently invited to be Guest Speaker of International Design Conferences and Seminars. From 2005 to 2007, Ho is the Chairman of the Organising Committee of the International Architectural Design Competition for the Hong Kong Design Institute. Currently, Ho is a member of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons Association, as well as a founding member of the Professional and Senior Executives Association.