Winners of the West Kowloon Reclamation Concept Plan Competition were awarded prizes today (April 18) for their innovative concepts and ideas to develop in Hong Kong an integrated arts, cultural and entertainment district.
Presenting the prizes to the five winning teams, the Secretary for Planning and Lands, Mr John C Tsang, said the competition had put Hong Kong firmly on the road towards realizing that cherished objective.
He was confident that the new district of outstanding architectural merit would place Hong Kong on the international cultural map, adding that the Government would take forward the scheme as swiftly as possible.
"We are working out an implementation plan that will enable us to see the project delivered quickly as a development of the highest quality," Mr Tsang said.
He thanked the participants and the public for their support of the competition.
A team led by Foster and Partners received the first prize of HK$3 million for its submission characterized by a great canopy, which had impressed the competition jury as a "memorable" and "unique" landmark.
Obtaining the second prize of HK$1.5 million was a team led by Mr Philip LIAO whose scheme was recognized for offering "a distinctive image with a progressive spirit".
The three entries earning an honourable mention and HK$800,000 each came from a team led by Professor Minoru TAKEYAMA; a joint team led by Mr Alan MACDONALD of Urbis-LPT (Architects) Association; and a team led by Mr Rocco Sen Kee YIM.
Besides the cash prizes, the winners were also each awarded a certificate for their good work.
They were selected by a 10-member jury chaired by Lord ROTHSCHILD with local and overseas experts, out of a total of 161entries received during the submission period.
The prize presentation ceremony took place at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui, where an exhibition on the winning entries is being held until April 22 this year.
The exhibition will move to the Kwai Tsing Theatre from May 2 to May 9, the University of Hong Kong from May 21 to May 24, and the Tsuen Wan Town Hall from May 28 to June 9.
End/Thursday, April 18, 2002
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