The entry that won the first prize of the West Kowloon Reclamation Concept Plan Competition features a great canopy flowing over the various spaces contained within the development area to create a unique iconic landmark. The entry was submitted by a team led by Foster and Partners.

Second prize goes to a team led by Mr Philip Y. K. LIAO along with a cash prize of HK$1.5 million (C$0.3 million).

The entry of the second prize winner of West Kowloon Reclamation Concept Plan Competition. The entry was submitted by a team led by Mr Philip Y K LIAO.

Three other entries were each awarded an honourable mention and HK$800,000 (C$160,000). They were : a team led by Mr Minoru TAKEYAMA; a joint team led by Mr Alan MACDONALD and Urbis-LPT (Architects) Association; and a team led by Mr Rocco Sen Kee YIM.

One of the three entries that were awarded an honourable mention in the West Kowloon Reclamation Concept Plan Competition. The entry was submitted by a team led by Mr Rocco Sen Kee YIM.

Lord ROTHSCHILD, GBE, a member of the Jury for the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize, chaired the 10-member Jury.

Announcing the results at a press conference, Lord ROTHSCHILD said that he was pleased with the overall standard of the 161 entries.

The Jury felt that the submission of the first prize winner, more than any other, fulfilled the purpose of the competition to define a conceptual architectural plan to establish Hong Kong as a city of world class arts and cultural activity, Lord ROTHSCHILD said.

"The signature feature of the design, a great canopy, 'flows over the various spaces contained within the development' to create a unique landmark. The sinuously flowing form of the site contours and the canopy produce a memorable effect.

"The master layout plan, even at this conceptual level," he said, "organizes the site to take full advantage of its prime waterfront location and its proximity to Kowloon Park and the Canton Road retail district."

In the 1999 Policy Address, the Chief Executive, Mr TUNG Chee Hwa, announced the plan to develop a major performance venue of world class standards in the West Kowloon Reclamation. This would enhance Hong Kong's position as the events captial of Asia.

The Secretary for Planning and Lands, Mr John C. TSANG, said that the Government intends to turn the piece of reclaimed land into a cultural oasis to enrich the lives of our citizens, to attract more visitors from overseas and to enhance even further one of the most beautiful skylines in the world.

"The next step is to start the detailed planning process. Once we have completed the masterplan study, implementation will follow immediately," Mr TSANG said.

"The usual planning process will take about three years and construction about four years. The first of the new facilities is expected to be completed by 2008, but we are working to accelerate the process so that the people of Hong Kong and its visitors will be able to enjoy this urban miracle," he added.

The competition was launched on April 6, 2001. A total of 161 entries were received when the submission period ended on September 29, 2001. Of these, 71 are from Hong Kong and 90 from elsewhere.