Category

Region

2024 - Radiance Valley

Category
Daylight in buildings - Region 4: Asia and Oceania

Students
Yicheng Cao

Teacher
Zhijun Duan

School
Beijing University of Technology

Country
China

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This project involves the redevelopment of Hong Kong’s iconic high-density residential building, the Monster House. The aim is to address the issue of inadequate light in the original living and public spaces by employing block design and strategic spatial allocation to optimize light resources within the residential area.
To tackle the light deficiency problem, the design employs three main strategies. First, it takes into account the surrounding architectural environment, aiming to minimize light obstruction from nearby buildings. By selecting areas with abundant natural light for the placement of building blocks, the design ensures better light penetration.
Second, the design addresses the uneven distribution of light caused by narrow building gaps by adjusting the building blocks. For buildings that receive ample light and are positioned in the south-facing front, the design includes features such as openings and reduced building heights. These adjustments help light reach the rear buildings that originally lacked sufficient illumination.
Finally, the design categorizes the demand for light in various activity spaces into three levels: high, medium, and low. Public activity areas with high light demands, such as living spaces, rock climbing zones, and table tennis courts, are allocated to the well-lit areas. Conversely, spaces with lower light requirements, such as shopping and casual chatting areas, are situated on the ground floor where lighting conditions are poorer.
In summary, this project creates a more livable environment by maximizing and distributing natural light effectively, offering a viable solution to the light challenges in high-density residential settings.