norman foster to help design cultural hub in hong kong

norman foster’s original plan for the western kowloon cultural district, 2002 image courtesy of foster + partners

norman foster has been selected to head one of three groups which will aid in the preparations of a master layout plan for hong kong’s new cultural district. known as lord foster, he was already previously involved in the scheme, which stopped three years ago due to public outcry over some of his designs for the complex. foster caused controversy when he proposed a 15-metre-high glass canopy which would cover most of the 40-hectare cultural complex, which is to be built in the western kowloon area of the city.

the other two teams will be lead by rem koolhaas and local architect rocco yim. the entire cultural district project is set to cost 21 billion hong kong dollars and will start within the next three years.

his original design came to a halt when he proposed a large glass canopy covering the 40-hectare cultural complex image courtesy of foster + partners

aerial view of the western kowloon cultural district image courtesy of foster partners