frank gehry: opus hong kong

‘opus hong kong’ by frank gehry, happy valley, hong kong all images © swire properties ltd.

canadian-born and los angeles-based architect frank gehry has completed ‘opus hong kong’, a residential property positioned on top of a winding hillside road in the metropolitan city. the tower is comprised of 12 residential units, two double-level garden suites with private swimming pools on the lower levels, and 10 custom apartments, each occupying an entire floor with unprecedented 360° views, ranging from 560 – 640 sqm in space.‘I designed the building for hong kong, to respond to the unique conditions of the city. you wouldn’t build this anywhere else.’ – frank gehry

site context

the high-rise’s helical external structure reduces the need for load-bearing walls, which allows the open-plan apartments to flow around a central core. the sinuous façade of the tower is composed almost entirely of glass creating a surface of delicacy against the rich green of the hillside filling the interiors with light. the exterior of the building turns as it rises giving the rooms a unique floor plan and its own spectacular outlook of the city below and the landscape. each suite has a series of balconies conceived as ‘boat decks’ that are carefully orientated to make the most of the dramatic panorama. 

the structure is grounded in an array of artfully stacked planter boxes clad in spanish stone that highlight the ascending spiral of the glass-clad columns. the southwest and southeast corners of the building are expressed as two solid towers finished in amber stone. they accommodate the kitchen and utility rooms and also reduce exposure to glare during sunrise and sunset.

surrounding landscape

glass clad columns

boat deck balconies

wrap around windows

curving columns

stone towers

double-level garden apartments

stone foundation

sky terrace

interiors designed by yabu pushelberg living area

dining area

master ensuite

construction

massing

models

models

technical drawing

(left) ground level a (right) ground level b

(left) level 2 (right) level 3

(left) level 5 (right) level 6

(left) level 7 (right) level 8

(left) level 9 (right) level 10

(left) level 11 (right) level 12