1.1
Since the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition
Centre (HKCEC) was completed in 1988 (Phase I) and extended in 1997 (Phase II),
demand for ever-larger trade fairs there has kept increasing. The HKCEC already
operates beyond capacity during peak seasons. Several mega trade fairs hosted
annually in the HKCEC for light consumer goods, such as electronics, utilize
all available space, including convention halls and meeting rooms. There are
some 3,300 local companies on the waiting list of mega fairs organized by the Hong
Kong Trade Development Council (TDC) alone. These exhibitors, mostly small and
medium-sized enterprises, are eager to participate but are unable to because of
insufficient space.
1.2
The
TDC has proposed to expand the existing facilities to provide essential room
for
1.3 The
ALE allows Hall 1, Hall 2 and Hall 3 of the HKCEC Phase II to expand southward
at different levels. This will provide additional exhibition space of 19,400 m2.
In this way, upon completion of the ALE, the three exhibition halls of HKCEC
will be enlarged, creating space for 1,000 additional standard booths. Figure 1.2 shows the longitudinal section of the proposed ALE.
1.4 The
existing major exhibition halls of the HKCEC Phases I and II are currently
connected by the multi-level Atrium Link, which is used for circulation, light
exhibition and registration. The proposed extension of the Atrium Link will
achieve better integration of the centre, as the halls in both phases, and not
just the lobby spaces, will be extended to become effectively contiguous.
1.5 The
proposed Extension is designed to present minimal impact to the exterior
appearance of the HKCEC so that the existing landmark architectural features
will not be affected. The main portion of the Extension will be of a similar
height to the podium roof of the existing Phase I podium. The new Extension,
which is confined within the width and rooflines of Phase I and Phase II, will not
create any visual obstruction to nearby buildings. Floors of the Extension are
successively stepped back on the east and west elevations to reduce the scale
and bulk of the new structure. The main trusses on the Extension are to be
curved in order to achieve continuity of the existing roof profile.
1.6 The
proposed Extension will not involve any reclamation. The Extension will be
supported by five trusses spanning over 85 metres across the existing water
channel. The northern row of the supporting columns will land on Expo Drive
Central while the southern row of supporting columns will land on
1.7 The marine piles will be removed by means of pile
extraction method upon completion of the Atrium Link Extension (ALE). No
dredging of marine sediment would be required using the pile extraction method, and therefore it would not cause
any adverse impact on water and sediment quality. Also, there would be no need
for sediment transportation and disposal arrangement.
Project
Design
1.8 Apart from the current design, there are
two alternative schemes, namely, Scheme 1 with larger footprint without
intermediate column support; Scheme 2 with the same footprint as Scheme 1 but
with intermediate column support in the existing waterway between Phase I and
Phase II of the HKCEC (see Figures 1.3 to 1.5).
1.9 With the scheme of a large footprint,
the ALE would block the proposed vent building for the future MTR North Island
Line. Also, it will cause visual obstruction from the nearby buildings in
particular the hotels at HKCEC Phase 1.
1.10 Regarding Scheme 2, the presence of
permanent column support may obstruct the flow and reduce the flushing capacity
of the sea channel between Phase I and Phase II of the HKCEC. The changes in
the flushing capacity may affect the dispersion of pollutants discharged from
the nearby stormwater culverts and may affect the
water quality of the nearby cooling water intakes and saltwater pumping
station.
1.11 In order to minimize visual impact and
water quality impact as far as practicable, the current design has been
proposed.
Construction Method
1.12 Owing to the site constraint i.e. the site
is mainly on and across the existing waterway, hence, the structure will
more or less be supported by the roof trusses which are supported on the
columns at both end more than 50m above ground, instead of some
typical structures that are supported on columns. Because
of the inherent structural configuration, the top down construction method will
be adopted instead of bottom up for the super structure.
1.13 Pilings will be placed without
much allowance for variations from the conventional
method. Moving the pile rigs to the position and then drill the holes to
the founding level with casings or without casings. The only variations
in the construction method that could be allowed is
the extent of the temporary working platform over the waterway during the
construction stage. Three options have been considered as follows:
Option 1: Cover
the whole waterway with temporary working platform (see Figure 1.6)
Option 2: Construct
three individual temporary working platforms at the northern and southern
shoreline of sea channel in between Phase I and Phase II of the HKCEC (see Figure 1.7)
Option 3: Construct
a 40m x 75m temporary working platform adjacent to the east bridge (see Figure 1.8)
1.14 Amongst these three options, only Option 2
and Option 3 could meet the requirement on the number of temporary marine piles
as stipulated in the Gazette Notice No. 5415 under Foreshore and Sea-bed
(Reclamations) Ordinance. In terms of water quality, Option 2 is preferable to
Option 3 as the effective flow area in the main flow directions would be larger
under Option 2.