Golden Gate by Napp Studio & Architects

Taking references from traditional Chinese temple gateway, Napp Studio & Architects translated the highly complex architectural expression into an abstract form as an entrance of the Flower Market, in which symbolically infusing the ‘temple’ into the market...

Architect: Napp Studio & Architects
Location: Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Design Team: Aron TSANG Wai-Chun, Natalie CHAN Yuk-Man, Wesley HO Hung-Lai
Collaborator: Chris TSUI Chun-Shing (Whiteground)

From the architect: Hoping for luck and prosperity for oneself, family and friends have always been the top priority during Lunar New Year, followed by countless gatherings with relatives and friends. While crowds are racing to flood into temples on New Year’s Day wishing good fortune, visiting Flower Market is also on the must-do list before New Year’s Day for a lot of us.

People stroll around the Flower Market with friends and families, purchasing auspicious dolls and accessories as well as festive flowers and plants to decorate their homes. The Flower Market, indeed, could be understood as a ‘Temple’ before New Year’s Day. Hence, we wish to combine the meaning of the market and the ‘temple’ with this opportunity to design a unique entrance for the Flower Market.

Taking references from traditional Chinese temple gateway, we translated the highly complex architectural expression into an abstract form as an entrance of the Flower Market, in which symbolically infusing the ‘temple’ into the market. Instead of erecting a solid block, a lattice structure is adopted in minimising the visual blockage and structural load while still achieving a highly recognisable landmark that can be seen from a distance.

Metal pipe, which may be plain steel, electroplated gold or copper, is used as the primary material with a couple of concrete mass on either side as footings. The circular reflective geometry of the tubes, with sunlight from above during the day or flood light from below during evening, would create a gleaming Golden Gate that celebrates the entry of the Flower Market. The gateway, furthermore, serves as a photogenic spot that attracts families and friends to take pictures, constructing invaluable memories that conclude the journey of the previous year.

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