DESIGN NICHE
THE HONG KONG
UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE
AND TECHNOLOGY
space conducive for quiet, independent
study and intimate group discussions.
That was the primary premise behind the
revamp of The Hong Kong University Of
Science And Technology’s Self-Access
Centre (SAC). As an independent learning
zone within the university’s Language
Centre, students here prefer to work in
small groups of two to five, or study alone.
To accommodate this, the designer drew inspiration from the
concept of a business-class lounge with a cosy clubhouse feel.
The existing space was extended into an identically sized new
area, separated by a common public corridor and lift lobby. Three
seminar rooms and three smaller listening rooms were added
into the corners of the present two rooms – all glass-fronted
to maximise natural lighting. Completing the space are banks
of multimedia computers along the external windows, tables
and more comfortable, brightly coloured lounge-style seating
scattered across the central areas.
The renovation achieved its biggest challenge – balancing
institutional considerations like emergency exits, signage and
standardised in-ceiling infrastructure with a dramatic new look,
all on a tight budget. Apart from the bigger space and added
amenities, numerous design elements came together to deliver
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