OBSERVATION: As one of Hong Kong’s key sporting venues, the west facade of the Happy Valley Racecourse is considered by many as an eyesore and does nothing to promote the appeal of horse racing to the public or visiting tourists.
SOLUTION: Provide a new vibrant and colorful facade along the highly visible west facade of the Happy Valley Racecourse to help visually reposition the facility, while reflecting the excitement and drama of one of Hong Kong’s signature sports.
Countless drivers along Happy Valley’s Wong Nai Chung Road, and the 60,000 daily vehicles using the Aberdeen tunnel pass along the imposing edge of the Happy Valley Racecourse stands, and are assaulted by one of the most depressing building facades in the city, which might be mistaken for a deteriorating industrial complex.
What if … the HKSAR Government and the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) undertook a facelift of this major sporting venue in a bid to help improve the city’s battered tourism image? While the HKJC likely has vast financial resources at its disposal to undertake such an improvement, imagine how the perception of horse racing could be improved through a new colorful facade that captures all of the speed, excitement, and drama of one of the city’s most renowned sports — all while helping to improve Hong Kong’s tourism image?
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Could a new system of powder-coated aluminum spandrels and decorative panels, or other low-impact applied treatments be installed at the existing facade, that would be acceptable to the Building Department? The solution should be as low-maintenance as possible, emphasize durability, and allow access to the existing facade and its existing fenestration and mechanical equipment installations.
Such a “facelift” could have a positive impact on tourism in Hong Kong, improve the image of the HKJC, further elevate horse racing as one of the city’s premiere sporting activities, and provide visual interest for the traveling public in an often bleak urban environment. The new facade design could include the entire perimeter of the complex to varying degrees, while incorporating existing facade improvements located at ground level entry locations. Could the design of the facade be based upon a winning entry of a local design competition that showcases the talent of the city’s students, designers, and architects?
While some might propose a knee jerk solution of installing massive LED screens or towering revenue-generating billboards to conceal the existing facade, the public outcry and resulting light pollution would likely negate any benefits. A more artistic solution should be considered.
Such a dramatic visual improvement to the city’s built environment in such a high visibility area, could be a win-win situation for multiple stakeholders.