Case Study HSBC - HQ - Hong - Kong

CaseStudy: The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
Hong Kong
The Brief
The HSBC Group is one of the worlds largest banking and nancial services organisations. Its current Hong Kong headquarters a 180-metre aluminium, steel and glass structure, which comprises 47 storeys, and four basement levels was designed by Sir Norman Foster. Completed in April 1986, it is widely regarded as one of the worlds architecturally outstanding buildings. Having designed the building so that the concrete floors hung by suspension trusses from steel masts instead of being supported by a central core, Foster virtually reinvented the high-rise office tower. His strong concept, coupled with a clean expression of technology and structure, resulted in a striking tower, whose open, airy banking floors float above a public ground-floor space that is reminiscent of a cathedral nave. In 2006, with goals to increase security, efficiency and overall customer satisfaction, HSBC decided to redevelop the main banks main plaza lobby. Under a project known as Bauhinia, HSBC commissioned Johnson Controls Inc. to design, construct and project manage the new Plaza lobby, while staying true to Fosters iconic creation.
We now have a lobby which bets a bank of our stature.

Andrew Long
n Former Chief Operating Ofcer HSBC n n
Challenges
The specification contained certain key criteria. The new lobby must divert contractors and couriers away from the area to ensure a more customer-focussed environment. Transition to any new technologies would need to be seamless. Construction had to be carefully phased to ensure minimal disruption to the business, and an aggressive opening deadline which was set to coincide with a global board meeting on the premises had to be met. The existing lobby enclosure was an unobtrusive, transparent structure that sat comfortably between the building's dramatic glass underbelly and the plaza's sloping, terraced floor. The new plaza lobby had to complement Foster's original design while reinforcing the rigorous architectural discipline that characterises it. The new design incorporated a translation of the existing sloped terrace into the new Plaza lobby. This was a key architectural challenge. The architect had to follow Foster's original 1.2m x 1.2m modular concept, which was an important aspect within the context of the overall building. In fact, most of the original stone flooring was carefully preserved and reused in perimeter stone terraces that were included in the final design.
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Solution
n JCI completed a full tender for the architectural and design services. As the managing agent the company put together a team of architects, designers, structural engineers quantity surveyors and project managers and established a spirit of one team from the outset. The primary structure was designed to sit discreetly within the existing space. Simple portal frames lean against the existing building faade while large widely spaced structural members increase the sense of transparency. The building material for the project included 52,000 kgs of steelwork from mainland China. Double and triple-laminated tempered glass, with a low-iron content to ensure clarity, was used throughout. One hundred and sixty-eight extra-large panes, up to 38mm thick, form the enclosure. Fabricated in China, the heaviest pane weighed 825kg and needed 23 men to lift it the largest single lifting effort ever attempted in Hong Kong by the glazing specialist. In another Hong Kong "first", special space-saving automated glass doors with moving pivots that reduce the swing radius were installed. The lobby includes four types of granite and marble, which were sourced from Italy and China. The marble for a special "Asian Story" wall was air-freighted from Italy. It was sourced to a particularly high specification since extra-large, jointless surfaces and perfect patterning were required. Similarly, for added elegance, the 3.5 metre long reception desk was also made without joints. The project included the creation of 24/7 self-service banking facilities and the commissioning and installation of an 8.5m x 3.5m state-of-the-art, 6mm resolution LED display screen with customised content. The first of its type for outdoor use in Hong Kong, this displays HSBC-branded content, integrating a range of static and moving material including the banks' commercials, world financial market data and news updates. A new air conditioning system has been designed to accommodate the combined volumes of the existing lift lobbies with the new space. High-velocity jet nozzle air diffusers deliver temperature-controlled air into the lobby from two niches in the "Asian Story" wall. Air is returned to the plant rooms via grilles located discreetly beneath the niches. JCI also installed the Metasys building management system to organise and manage information and equipment.
Well done to the whole team who worked on the lobby. It looks fabulous!
Chief Operating Ofcer HSBC
n n
Jon Addis
Benefits
n n n HSBC now has a world-class reception lobby. It complements Norman Foster's original, world-famous design while heightening customers' experience. Improvements in access, structural design and overall guest management has improved security monitoring. The centralised reception area offers greater efficiency and productivity. Its relocated automatic teller machines offer 24/7 self-service banking and easy access to a wide range of information. Working with the bank's security and front-of-house departments, JCI coached staff to deliver improved levels of service with a "hotel" mindset. Energy saving measures include energy-efficient lighting, Air Handling Unit step control and a flexible heating system. In addition, the lobby's internal volume is pressurised so that it is slightly higher than outdoors. This means that the entrance doors may be left open during busy periods without undue drafts outside.
n n
2006, Johnson Controls, Inc.
www.johnsoncontrols.com
ASIAPUBL-17001.E(1206)

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CaseStudy: The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation

We now have a lobby which bets a bank of our stature.

2006, Johnson Controls, Inc.

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