Hong Kong Cruciform Housing: Shape Analysis
The cruciform-type housing design is straightforward, relying on the repetition of identical floor plans. Each unit is mirrored or rotated to create symmetry,
with no variation. For instance, the Concord 1 type features eight identical units per floor, arranged symmetrically and extruded into towers of over 40 stories.
These units are designed to accommodate three- to four-person nuclear families.
This approach prioritizes efficiency and speed of construction but overlooks the diverse lifestyles and needs of residents. The uniformity of the design reflects a
one-size-fits-all mindset, failing to adapt to the varying demands of Hong Kong's dynamic population.
Computational Design · Architecture
Parametric Study of Hong Kong Cruciform Towers
A parametric redesign of Hong Kong's Concord-type cruciform housing tower. Shape, egress, ventilation, view, and structural analysis were used to break one repeated floor plan into varied, livable units.
Egress Travel Distance Analysis
The Code of Practice for the Provision of Means of Escape in Case of Fire, by the Building Authority of Hong Kong, states that for buildings with two staircases where the exit route is not along a balcony approach the distance should be 30 m maximum. The analysis shows that the maximum egress travel distance for the Concord 1 type is far below 30 m, thanks to its efficient radial layout, leaving much more room for extension of floor area.
The Code of Practice for the Provision of Means of Escape in Case of Fire, by the Building Authority of Hong Kong, states that for buildings with two staircases where the exit route is not along a balcony approach the distance should be 30 m maximum. The analysis shows that the maximum egress travel distance for the Concord 1 type is far below 30 m, thanks to its efficient radial layout, leaving much more room for extension of floor area.
Residential Unit Perimeter Research and Variation
Research shows that as the climate warms, building perimeters tend to increase relative to their area, as measured by the isoperimetric quotient.
Iterative tests on the Concord 1 residential units adjusted their external perimeters, revealing key trade-offs. Larger perimeters improve natural ventilation but also increase heat loss and spatial inefficiency. These changes impact privacy, circulation, and insulation, requiring a careful balance between thermal performance, ventilation, and space utilization.
Research shows that as the climate warms, building perimeters tend to increase relative to their area, as measured by the isoperimetric quotient.
Iterative tests on the Concord 1 residential units adjusted their external perimeters, revealing key trade-offs. Larger perimeters improve natural ventilation but also increase heat loss and spatial inefficiency. These changes impact privacy, circulation, and insulation, requiring a careful balance between thermal performance, ventilation, and space utilization.
Plan Arrangement
The next generation of cruciform towers is designed by attaching finalized unit clusters to a central core. These clusters form a cohesive community within a single residential tower, creating a new identity through the integration of units, communal spaces, structural systems, and circulation pathways. While introducing innovation, the design retains the traditional principle of cruciform towers: units are connected to the central core via the shortest horizontal circulation routes.
The next generation of cruciform towers is designed by attaching finalized unit clusters to a central core. These clusters form a cohesive community within a single residential tower, creating a new identity through the integration of units, communal spaces, structural systems, and circulation pathways. While introducing innovation, the design retains the traditional principle of cruciform towers: units are connected to the central core via the shortest horizontal circulation routes.
Visibility Analysis
One important reason for a cruciform-type plan is that it ensures a good view from all of the units evenly. However, the problem with the Concord 1 type is
that it is possible to see from one unit into another, hindering privacy. The new plan rotates the rooms 45° alternately, so that the views from
adjacent rooms run parallel to each other, ensuring much better privacy.
Visibility is calculated as the percentage of the outside view angle out of 360°. For example, a 30% view rate means 108° out of 360° is open toward the outside.
Overall, the updated plan provides a higher general visibility rate, while its visibility is less even than the original Concord 1 plan, meaning the updated plan
consists of either rooms with very high or very low visibility.
Unit Types and Combination
The final unit design consists of two types of space: standard and non-standard. The purpose of the standard type is to provide the necessary spaces: bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. The non-standard types serve more specific activities for people with different lifestyles. Standard and non-standard types are mixed in a matrix so that appropriate combinations can be created.
The final unit design consists of two types of space: standard and non-standard. The purpose of the standard type is to provide the necessary spaces: bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. The non-standard types serve more specific activities for people with different lifestyles. Standard and non-standard types are mixed in a matrix so that appropriate combinations can be created.
