TOPO-UPHEAVAL Hong Kong Culture Factory Defining the final edge of Victoria Harbor, a park is proposed that would relieve the pressure from the high density of Hong Kong’s population, and tight urban atmosphere. Unlike traditional parks, this undulating green space offers volumes of real estate underneath its green layer while allowing pedestrians seamless access to the waterfront. The volumes of private and public programs created under the undulating green layer would render this proposal practical for Hong Kong, with such a competitive real estate market. Culturally related programs nested within will ensure a constant stream of activity and usage throughout the day and night. Dominated by nature and paired with exhibition, institutional, and transportation facilities, this will be one of the most frequented cultural destinations in Hong Kong. THE PARK The park provides diverse growing conditions with many domestic plants that require low maintenance and thrive in less than ideal conditions. In this retrofitted city park, the sinuous mountain range landscape mimics the average city block in terms of its size on plan. The mountain ranges, new city blocks, has deformed to respond to varius conditions of adjacent site creating recreation field facing to existing open space of the city, plaza facing Victoria harbor for instance. The valleys created by these mountain ranges are dedicated exclusively to pedestrians. The extension of existing city streets is reintroduced in to the park as cuts and provides access for cars and services. This urban scale cut will be a major source of light to the park with skylights of ETFE foil system. The skylights allow light to reach the spaces below park level while it becomes one of the major light sources at night. Forming the roofs of programmed spaces, the soil layer contains rain water to its embedded bladder and recycle the water to the park landscape. TRAFFIC SYSTEMS There are 2 different traffic systems on the site. One is for pedestrian usage and is primarily located at the “valleys”. The other system for car access is the “cuts”, that is the extension of the existing city street. This also opens up unobstructed vista views to the water edge and Kowloon harbor beyond. The walking ramp provided at the “valley” is designed so that the intermediate level can maintain a strong connection to park above and receives sufficient daylight through glazing along the ramp. The simple rule for vehicular traffic at the site is to locate passing high speed traffic below grade and keep minimal low speed traffic, such as service access, above park level. One of the existing major arteries of the city, Gloucester Road to Connaught Road is also a part of the proposal. The high-speed traffic is repositioned below grade while the ramp connecting the high-speed traffic to the park level at 3 different locations. The new supplementary artery of passing the site connecting Fenwick Pier street, Lung Wui Road, and Man Cheung Street is also positioned below grade with low speed lanes on the same level. The ramp to the intermediate level will be designed so that drivers can access to the site. The intermediate level, positioned right below the park, will accommodate parking spaces.