Prologue To Xiqu Centre

Xiqu Centre is the gateway to the new West Kowloon Cultural District. This subway directly connects Xiqu Centre and the city’s new precinct for arts and culture to the Hong Kong West Kowloon Station and Austin MTR station. The refurbishment of the subway includes the addition of wall claddings, which are detailed in response to both the practical requirements and aesthetic features of the instrumental old Chinese opera and music. Symbolically, the subway represents the percussive instrumental prologue [qu曲] of an opera [xi 戲]. Cladded on one side of the subway wall are metaphoric motifs of percussive musical instruments often used in an introductory piece in a Chinese Opera. More than just a subway, the design promotes dynamic connection of the public from the old city fabric to the new cultural district, West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) and the Xiqu Centre in the district. The design also focused on re-endowing the space with more diverse and harmonic elements with the interplay and symphony of materials. The team meticulously deliberated on elements like colour, texture, materials and geometry. The continuous use of bronze dividing lines and white wall cladding express the mythical codes of the Chinese Opera music. Existing direct lighting is also replaced by concealed lighting troughs to generate a warm and theatrical atmosphere. Besides lifting the spirits of visitors, the design rejuvenates existing engineer solution into public space with distinct character. Red Dot Award: Design Concept | Ready to Launch | Public Space