Hong Kong International School, Lower Primary School


New Buildings V1.1
Final Gold

Overall Score
Site Aspects
Materials Aspects
Energy Use
Water Use
Indoor Enviro. Quality
Credit(s)    Innovations and Additions

Hong Kong International School (HKIS), founded in 1966, is a leading international private school offering pre-K to 12 American-style education to over 2,800 students from more than 40 nationalities in four school divisions on two campuses – Repulse Bay and Tai Tam – in the southern district of Hong Kong.

This redevelopment project for the Lower Primary School (LPS) division was first conceived under a Master Facilities Plan in 2005, when only portions of the original LPS (built in 1975) were considered for rebuilding. However, after extensive design studies, it was determined that entire demolition and rebuilding something new, creative and practical was necessary to meet the educational needs and future growth of the LPS.

In its final form, the new HKIS LPS building comprises 31,250 square metres of new construction to accommodate 770 students and 150 teaching staff members, including an 8-storey, state-of-the-art Early Childhood Education building with podium roof for both covered and outdoor playgrounds, as well as 7-storey staff residences above, amidst the greenery of Repulse Bay and Tai Tam Country Park.

Green Features

Site Aspects

  • Apart from providing greenery at pedestrian and roof levels, vertical greenery and extensive planting were incorporated on each school floor level along the balconies.
  • Disposition of building block massing was strategically planned to minimize visual impact (tall staff residence block next to the hillside) as well as maximize penetration of daylight into the building (school block set back from the hillside with large window openings).

Materials Aspects

  • Material finishes high recycled content were adopted for the project including over 50% of external finishes with recycled content.
  • The school has organised to sell or donate used furniture / fittings in the original building, and over 65% of demolition waste of the original school was recycled.

Energy Use

  • High efficiency water-cooled chiller system was adopted for the redevelopment, which also provides district cooling to the opposite Upper Primary School building within the Repulse Bay Campus.
  • Low-E coated double-glazing was used for the building, as well as architectural fins, trellises and balconies to provide shading in order to lower energy consumption for air-conditioning.
  • Solar panels were installed on the community block roof to harvest energy for water heating.

Water Use

  • Water saving fixtures were used with about 50% of reduction of water use from baseline.

Indoor Environmental Quality

  • BMS was adopted to enhance building operations control.
  • Communal podium gardens and balconies were provided for recreation and breakout areas.
  • Comprehensive flushing-out was conducted prior to occupying the facilities.

Innovations and Additions

  • Power Quality Management System was adopted to control and monitor energy use, as well as to integrate with building access, surveillance control system.

Story

In a school, learning is everywhere. When thought of as a whole, different types of tools can be used together to enhance every child’s experience. Books, teachers, playgrounds, classrooms, hallways - they all contribute to a student’s learning. They provide stimulation and excitement, as well as opportunities for reflection and for students to go deeper into their learning.

At our new Lower Primary School, every detail in the learning space is purpose-built for our youngest learners. The gardens on balconies outside of each classroom, community areas on each floor, and age-appropriate playgrounds for each grade are examples of spaces that directly support HKIS’s focus on the social-emotional wellbeing of our Lower Primary students. Through play and collaboration, students will meet our student learning results in character development and self-motivated learning. Expansive windows let in an abundance of natural light and feature vistas of the surrounding hills and greenery. Centralized air conditioning and filtration systems ensure energy efficiency and comfort while improving indoor air quality.

HKIS believes in contributing to a sustainable world for current and future generations by fostering compassion and promoting awareness around the UN sustainable development goals. In addition, HKIS endeavors to inspire action and environmental stewardship. “Going green” wasn’t simply about creating spaces. It is a commitment as a community to environmental sustainability through the HKIS curriculum, which endeavors to foster direct connections with nature and encourage student leadership and engagement. These commitments helped direct the design and operation of the school environment.

Our aim is for students to be surrounded in an environment that nurtures them intellectually and fosters collaboration with their peers and within the community. Equipped with inquiring minds and compassionate hearts, our students can contribute to their communities and to the world.


Project Details

Completion Year 2017
Number of Blocks 1
Number of Storeys 15 (including G/F)
Type Government, Institutional and Community

Project Team

Project Developer / Owner Hong Kong International School Association
Architect Nelson Chen Architects Limited
Landscape Architect Landes Limited
M&E Engineer J. Roger Preston Limited
C&S Engineer Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Limited
Main Contractor Able Engineering Company Limited
Quantity Surveyor Arcadis Hong Kong Limited
Sustainable Design Consultant Arcadis Hong Kong Limited
Environmental Consultant BMT Hong Kong Limited


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