This was published 5 years ago
New West Kowloon Terminus links Hong Kong to China with high-speed trains
When Andrew Bromberg of leading international architectural firm Aedus (in collaboration with Aecom) set out to create Hong Kong's West Kowloon Terminus, he knew it needed to act more like an airport than a railway station. It's the function of gateway to China's high-speed rail network that dictated many practicalities, including facilities for the presence of mainland Chinese immigration and customs officials within, controversially enforcing Chinese law on Hong Kong island.
Controversy aside, the structure is a symbol of progress. Though there have previously been rail links to the mainland, the 26-kilometre Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, slashes travel times via bullet trains to 44 destinations on mainland China including the capital, Beijing.
The 15-track, sparkling white arched terminus contains departure and arrival lounges for passengers, expected to exceed 80,000 daily. Also under its ceiling, made from 4000 glass panels, it contains further airport-like facilities including dozens of shops, and a large food court.
Other design considerations included its adjacency to Victoria Harbour and the newly created West Kowloon Cultural District. The station's partially subterranean curved form covered in grass and walkways is a response to the iconic views and civic use.
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