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Observation Tower Crane,  | International Design Awards Winners
Observation Tower Crane,  | International Design Awards Winners
Observation Tower Crane,  | International Design Awards Winners

Observation Tower Crane

Lead Designers
Prize(s)Honorable Mention
Entry Description

The cityscape of Hong Kong is famous for its congested high-rise buildings and tower cranes. Tower cranes are widely used for mobilization in construction sites. The proposed observation decks are created by modifications to these familiar tower cranes. They can be set up in a short period of
time and flexible for sites with various sizes. Potential sites could then be anywhere around the harbour.

These tower cranes not only
benefit from the swinging movement over adjacent buildings as viewing platforms
in all directions, but also enjoy the advantage of taking visitors above the harbour. The trunk serves as a circulation core, comprising of elevators and an escape staircase, while the arm can be cladded into indoor spaces transformed to serve as (A) Food & Beverage space or (B) Cable Cars.

The truss of the arm is positioned with the triangular section pointing downwards to allow a larger upper space for F&B area contained in a glass box within the truss. It also facilitates the slanting glass envelopes for better viewing angles towards the harbour below.

In case where Cable Cars are built, the triangular section will point upwards. The two bottom horizontal members of the truss can then be fitted with tracks for running the cable cars. Loops are formed at both ends of the arm for a single tower crane. Cross-harbour Cable Cars can also be erected by connecting multiple tower cranes.

Awards and Prize

Gammon Construction Ltd. Prizes in Building Technology, 1991
HKIA Young Architects’ Award 2004 – Honorable Mention
HKDA Awards 2005 (Merit) – Graphic: Logo for Lilly
Perspective Awards 2007 – Short Listed Project: Kim Robinson Boutique Salon
Design for Asia Award 2007 – Commendation: Kim Robinson Boutique Salon
Competition for Tianjin Exhibition Centre 天津市西青区规划展览馆和年画馆设计竞赛 2009 (Collaboration with John McAslan + Partners) - First Runners-up
Open International Ideas Competition for Noise Barrier/Enclosure Design 2009 – Short Listed
Valcucine Kitchen Cabinet Graphic Design Contest 2010: “Dress Up Your Kitchen” – Winning Design
IDA International Design Awards 2011: Observation Tower Crane – Honorable Mention (Conceptual – Pro)
IDA International Design Awards 2013: Regal Crest – Honorable Mention (Residential – Pro)
Creative Smart Parking – Cycle Parking Rack Design Competition – Commendation Prize 2013
A’Design Award – Certificate of Excellence for the Silver A’ Design Award in Event & Happening Design Category in 2016-2017: Connect, Create, Collaborate - Exhibition