Basic Information

a. Name of Building b. Location c. Construction Period d. Completion Date e. Contract Sum f. Owner g. Architect h. Structural & Geotechnical Engineer i. Building Service Engineer j. Quantity Surveyor k. Contractor l. Major Function m. Site Area n. Total GFA o. No. of Stories p. Building Height q. Award Received Background

Veterinary Laboratory at Tai Lung Lin Tong Mei, Shueng Shui October 2000-December 2001 December 2001 HK$ 39.33 million Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Architectural Service Department Architectural Service Department Architectural Service Department Architectural Service Department Wah Fai Construction & Engineering Co. Ltd. Examination Facilities for Poultry Diseases 2800 sq m 1107 sq m 3 stories 11.40m Special Architectural Award - Sustainable Design

With the outbreak of the bird flue epidemics in Hong Kong, the SAR's Architectural Services Department is quietly producing quality design for a range of building types throughout the territory. The Veterinary Laboratory at Tai Lung was one of the representative projects of the Architectural Services Department which received high appreciation from the professionals in the way that the project was designed with very sophisticated environmental designs.

Project Scope

The project involves the demolition of abandoned mushroom laboratories, a vacant single storey structure and the construction of a two-storey laboratory within the Tai Lung Experimental Farm for the Agricultural Fisheries Conservation Department as a centre for research and testing on agricultural science. The project provide the following accommodation: a. 10 (nos.) laboratories for conducting a wide range of veterinary experiments b. office accommodations c. supporting facilities for staff and technicians Site Location

The site was located on the hilltopl at the southern corner entrance of the Tai Lung Farm, Sheung Shui. It is very close to the northern borders adjoining the Mainland China which made the collection of poultries sample more convenient.

Existing ground was built with an abandoned single storey Mushroom Laboratory and covered by the dense vegetations of shrubs and trees. Design Concept

The L-shaped form interlocking and superimpose with a semi-circular one, which creates a pie-shaped landscaped courtyard space in between allowing light into extra portions of the building, which is set into the sloping site.

The two geometrical forms were clearly defined as clean / dirty zones where eight laboratories for veterinary experiments, two level-3 bio-safety laboratories with support facilities were allocated accordingly. Services rooms were located at one wing of the L-shaped block and the administration offices were scattered at the corners of both geometrical forms. The building was planned for maximum energy efficiency during the design stage with the application of numerous sustainable design strategies and design features. Ii resulted with a very favorable figure - The Overall Thermal Transmission Value (OTTV), which is directly related to the energy consumption within a building, is 20.9 W/m2 which is much lower than the statutory minimum of 30 W/m . HKIA Awards' Jury's comment

"This project received very high praises for its overall design quality, fine detailing, choice of materials, costeffectiveness and the in-depth research of its designers into the existing topographical conditions of the site, energy conservation, preservation of the existing landscape and other relevant design criteria. It is indeed a valuable contribution to laboratory and sustainable design which fully deserves due recognition and commendation." "The technical and monotonous programme of design and construction has in this Project been dramatically transformed into a dynamic interplay of geometric forms, interlocking elements and spaces cleverly developed and manipulated to integrate seamlessly into the prevailing topographical contours of the slopes.

"The resultant fusion of the natural and built environment is in itself a lesson on environmental design seldom associated with laboratory buildings." Site Planning The building design integrates very nicely with the natural environment and makes the best use of the existing site conditions. The site location was wisely selected to be at the hilltop where the cutting of existing topography was minimized, and at the same time, panoramic view towards the Tai Lung Farm and the Hong Kong Golf Club was maximized.

Minimal Land-take Impact Building footprint was spread with necessary area for adequate provisions only. Profile of original terrain was best maintained with minimal disturbance

Preservation of Existing Site Building Shape is developed with respect to the topographical contours Soil Balance of the Cut & Fill to minimize the dumping.

Preservation of Existing Trees & Landscape Preserved trees are well-protected during the construction period. Building bulks are positioned to achieve minimal cutting of existing well-grown trees.

Harmony to Existing Environment Use of native species in compensatory landscaping design Maximize the provisions of roof garden and landscaped terrace

Building Form

The building form is developed with respect to the topographical contours where to minimize the area of cutting soil and in return filling back of soil to the site and to minimize the disturbance of the construction to the existing trees and landscape where digging up of soil and cutting off of tress were minimized.

The major building is kept in single storey which minimize the both the visual and the environmental impact to site area. Building Orientation

The buildings are laid in accordance to the orientation which allow access of solar exposure in terms of the sunpath and prevailing wind. Linear block with least openings is deliberately shielding off all accommodation from the west-sided solar exposure. Natural Ventilation

Openable windows allowed the natural ventilation to reduce the operation period of A/C System during the mild season Natural Lighting

An open corridor around a central courtyard linking all functional areas allows penetration of daylight and shades the functional areas from direct sunlight.

Balcony approach allows natural lighting for major circulations to minimize the general lightings. Linear shape with depth of maximum 9m for all accommodation to enhance daylight penetration. Green Space

Incorporation of roof garden and landscaped terrace enables the building to blend in with its surrounding natural environment. Native species were used wherever possible. Service, Equipment and Controls Air Conditioning System

Direct Digital Controlled (DDC) controlled air-conditioning system with plant optimization programme control was installed to maximize operation efficiency. Variable Air Volume (VAV) air-handling system is used to cope with fluctuating thermal load. R134a refrigerant with ODP and GWP were used. Lighting System

A separate control of lighting circuit between perimeter and interior zones were used in the building. Energy saving fluorescent tubes with electronic ballast and compact tubes were used, and a capacitor bank was installed to improve electrical system power over 0.85. Materials

Environmental Friendly Materials

Foamglas made of recycled glass with low embodied energy is used as the insulation material on the roof. Linoleum, a chemical-free and biodegradable natural material is used for the laboratory's floor finish.

Minimization of material Resources Fairface concrete was constructed as the major portion of external walls and internal ceiling as the architectural features to minimize the finishes application. Concrete carriageway was stained with Lithochrome Chemstain as final finishes to waive the floor finishing works.

External wall finishes were in rustic texture which match with natural surrounding Air Pollution Control

A concealed exhaust system equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) Filter was installed for the safety cabinets and the fume cupboards to reduce pollutant emission of the exhaust air by 99%. Green Roof

Landscaping on roof was provided to enhance the green environment and improve the building's insulation. High-Performance Windows

Low-E laminated glass was used to reduce incoming radiation which filters the heat from the exterior environment. Shading Devices

Canopies and shading devices are employed over glazed areas to shade away the hot sun and unnecessary disturbing light

Shading Devices

Canopies and shading devices are employed over glazed areas to shade away the hot sun and unnecessary disturbing light

Plans / Section

Diagrams

Exterior

Interior

Internal Courtyard

Features

Materials

Equipments

Books

1. _____,2003 Hong Kong Institute of Architects, 2002. HKIA annual awards 2002 : Special Architectural Award Sustainable Design. Hong Kong: Building Review. Journals 1. _____, 2003 "Fulcrum, Winning Streak, Hong Kong Institute of Architects Annual Awards 2002, Veterinary Laboratory At Tai Lung Farm, Sheung Shui." Hinge Vol 97, p. 63. 2. _____, 2003 "Project file, Veterinary Laboratory at Tai Lung - SAR ASD. Warm Science" Hinge Vol 90, pp. 5455. 3. _____, 2003 "Special Feature, HKIA Awards 2002, Special Architectural Award - Sustainable Design, Veterinary Laboratory at Tai Lung Farm ASD." Building Journal Hongkong China, April, pp. 58-59. Links 1. Architectural Services Department, 2002, ASD Environmental/Health/Safety Report 2002: Protecting the Environment, Environmentally Sustainable Design, Case Highlight: Veterinary Laboratory at Tia Lung, Sheung Shui." http://www.archsd.gov.hk/english/reports/env_report_2002/eng/11.html http://www.archsd.gov.hk/english/reports/env_report_2002/big5/11.html 2. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Quarantine and Pesticides, Veterinary News, Veterinary Laboratory Services http://www.afcd.gov.hk/sitemap/sitemap_e.htm 3. Architectural Services Department http://www.archsd.gov.hk/english/index1024.asp 4. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department http://www.afcd.gov.hk/ Others 1. Architectural Services Department, 2002, Veterinary Laboratory at Tai Lung Farm, [PPT]

NGUN INTERNET : http://www3.hku.hk/mech/sbe/case_study/case/hk/vet/contacts.htm