Park project combines conservation with new public attractions

When Dragages took over the rugged eight-hectare site, once part of the Victoria Barracks, it was dotted with almost 700 trees and a number of historic buildings. The site also included a number of valleys and spurs, which would require extensive site reformation.

The challenge was to preserve as many of the trees and buildings, while also adding more than ten new attractions, all within a practical green space for public usage.

The park’s new features – including an artificial lake, a waterfall and a distinctive aviary – each required their own unique design methods. Former barracks were also renovated to house the Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre, the Marriage Registry and the Park Management office.

The project was awarded on a Guaranteed Maximum Price basis, requiring the contractor to complete the project at, or below a specified cost. Dragages involved architects, consultants and suppliers at the earliest stages to help identify cost and time-savings, a process that contributed to Dragages completing the project HK$17 million below budget.