Gold Sustainable Products, Projects and Green Design · 2022
K Farm Urban Design
by Vicky Chan
- A' Design Award 2022 Gold Winner in Sustainable Products, Projects and Green Design
- Awarded April 15, 2022
- CLIENT: K Farm
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 546,901
- Verification code D0DF512CFD · Verify this award
About K Farm Urban Design
K Farm challenges urban farming under extreme conditions and turns farming into natural education that people can enjoy. Because of this coastal condition along Victoria Harbour, It has innovated three types of farming to suit this specific climate. One is Hydroponics to provide weatherproof farming for in all conditions, two is aquaponics to study how fish and plants can coexist, and three is organic with various height and species to serve as inclusive farming.
Vicky Chan's K Farm Urban Design emerges as a compelling exemplar of contemporary sustainable architecture that reimagines the relationship between food production and urban density through innovative spatial and structural solutions. This vertical farming installation, recognized with a Golden distinction in the A' Design Award program for Sustainable Products, Projects and Green Design, demonstrates how architectural ingenuity can address pressing questions of food security and environmental stewardship within constrained metropolitan contexts. The cylindrical form represents a remarkably efficient use of vertical space, with concentric tiers of hydroponic growing beds maximizing cultivation area while the transparent dome captures abundant natural light essential for photosynthesis and reduces dependence on artificial illumination. The structural expression achieves an elegant economy where white-painted steel members radiate from the central oculus like the ribs of an umbrella, simultaneously providing structural support, defining spatial rhythm, and enhancing light distribution throughout the interior volume. The presence of human figures engaged in various agricultural activities transforms what might be purely technical infrastructure into a space of meaningful human occupation and community engagement, suggesting the designer's commitment to creating not merely functional growing facilities but genuine places where people connect with food cultivation processes often invisible in contemporary urban life. The careful integration of circulation systems including stairs and elevated walkways enables intuitive movement through the vertical section while providing varied vantage points from which to observe and participate in growing operations. The transparent envelope establishes visual dialogue with the surrounding urban fabric, positioning agricultural production as an integral component of metropolitan life rather than an activity relegated to distant rural zones. What possibilities might such interventions offer for reimagining urban food systems and reconnecting city dwellers with the cycles of growth and nourishment that sustain human communities?
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- K Farm challenges urban farming under extreme conditions and turns farming into natural education that people can enjoy. Because of this coastal condition along Victoria Harbour, we have innovated three types of farming to suit this specific climate. One is Hydroponics to provide weatherproof farming for in all conditions, two is aquaponics to study how fish and plants can coexist, and three is organic with various height and species to serve as inclusive farming.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The project is 2000m2 in size.
- Tags
- smart, urban farm, park, reclaimed
- Production Technology
- K Farm reclaimed an industrial site with 0% greenery into a park. Materials used for this project are all made within 800km of Hong Kong. Modular assembly to allow the buildings to be relocated.The use of lighting allows us to eliminate physical barriers while giving people a safety signal along the edges at night. The hydroponics yield 3x more produce than traditional farming and yet the carbon footprint is still lower than imported species in local market.
- Design Challenge
- The coastal climate will give data to study for farming under extreme weather. Not everything we will do will be a success, but the experiment will serve as a template for more urban farms to roll out across Hong Kong and Asia.
- Project Duration
- The project started in April 2019 in Hong Kong and finished in May 2021 in Hong Kong.
- Operation Flow
- The farm is designed to be inclusive without barrier. The vertical green wall, vertical farming racks, farming tables, and hydroponics allow people with special needs to access farming without bending down. Rainwater collection with water tanks are designed for all three shelters. Solar panels are installed on the roof of the office to cover the electrical consumption. Smart sensor is used to provide water and light control. The hydroponics yield 3x more produce than traditional farming and yet the carbon footprint is still lower than imported species in local market.
- Research
- On top of the all the free facilities, the farm will also have activities to help the NGO to continue to benefit the community. This includes classes during the day and after work on weeknights, organic food and drinks from our green kitchen, farmers market and all sorts of community-related events. We believe k-farm truly will create memories for all the families. Most importantly Rough C as an NGO is about education. The design wants to guide children to look forward into the future. Career in Farming can indeed be serious, smart, and professional. Kids can begin to look up to farmers again.
- Inspiration
- Our masterplan was inspired by the community when we first reached out to community leaders in 2018. The circular geometries stand for unity, plants, and pier elements. This iconic design will give you more understanding of what Central and Western district is about. The farming facilities are connected to Belcher Bay Area and reflective pool, lawns, three rain shelters, and event space are open 24 7. Even if people are not a fan of farming, they will still find something they love in K Farm.
- Image Credits
- Image #1: Imagennix | Avoid Obvious Architects, 2021
Image #2: Imagennix | Avoid Obvious Architects, 2021
Image #3: Imagennix | Avoid Obvious Architects, 2021
Image #4: Imagennix | Avoid Obvious Architects, 2021
Image #5: Imagennix | Avoid Obvious Architects, 2021
Image #6: Imagennix | Avoid Obvious Architects, 2021
Video Credits: HKSARG - Patents
- Copyrights belong to Imagennix | Avoid Obvious Architects, 2021