What springs to your mind when a recycling station is mentioned? Perhaps it reminds you of a rubbish collection point. But have you noticed the community green stations built in various districts in recent years that feature simplistic design, visual appeal and functionality? They also provide space for local residents to participate personally in waste reduction and recycling and promote environmental collaboration among communities. This time, I have invited two colleagues of the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) to introduce to us the Eastern Community Green Station (CGS), one of the green stations they were involved in building, and talk about its design concept and architectural features.

Green stations are not rubbish collection points

In recent years, the Government has been implementing the projects of CGSs by progressively building community green stations in a number of districts. Apart from collecting recyclable materials, the CGS operators also hold various public education activities, such as exhibitions, talks and workshops, to promote education on environmental protection at the community level. At present, there are seven CGSs in operation across the territory (Note) and the Eastern CGS, located on Oi Shun Road in Shau Kei Wan, is among the first batch of pilot projects.

Giving you the feeling that you are in a park

The Eastern CGS is located at a place that was once a temporary parking lot. Senior Architect of the ArchSD, Ms LI Pak-yee, Tuesday, says to us that architects did not just want to build a recycling station during the design process. They wanted the project to make the community a better place. Using old container modules, the team has turned the place into a recyclable collection station with an exhibition area and a multi-purpose room for the organisation of environmental protection education exhibitions and activities. Underneath the flyover of the Island Eastern Corridor, the site has now become a new hub for local residents to get together, making it a public space full of vitality that the public can use.

On architectural design, Ms Tuesday LI says that the Eastern CGS has used rows of reused bamboos in even shape as screens and frames. There are a number of courtyards and gardens around the site, highlighted with bamboo landscaping and green lawns, so that local residents can appreciate the landscape when they walk past, giving a sense of community and a touch of oasis within the city.

Using modular design to save construction time

What makes the Eastern CGS special is the flexible design of the architects to create different activity areas using old container modules painted with novel colours, giving the facility a refreshing look. The “outer skins” (i.e. the steel sheet on the sides) of some containers have been replaced with floor-to-ceiling glass panels to let in natural sunlight for a more relaxing environment. Architect of the ArchSD, Mr LEUNG Kin-hong, Donald, says this modular design can enhance construction efficiency and substantially shorten construction time.

Green construction design

Mr Donald LEUNG also talks to us about the various green construction design features in the Eastern CGS. For example, it makes use of a flyover, canopies and vertical greening to block direct sunlight to reduce heat gain in the interior spaces. The vertical metal screen in front of the lobby of the multi-purpose room can block the sunlight and facilitate natural ventilation at the same time. As for building materials, the architects have incorporated wood elements into the design to give users a natural warm feeling. The high ceiling design also adds to the spaciousness inside.

My thanks go to our ArchSD colleagues for their devoted efforts and creativity in designing various facilities for the community. If you look around, you will for sure see one of these facilities. I believe that the ArchSD will continue to communicate and cooperate with industry partners and stakeholders to enhance the quality of public developments with collective wisdom. Besides the Eastern CGS introduced to you this time, I will continue to invite colleagues to talk about other projects. With concerted efforts, I hope we can build a better community.

Note: As of today, there are seven CGSs in operation across the territory, namely the Sha Tin CGS, Eastern CGS, Kwun Tong CGS, Yuen Long CGS, Sham Shui Po CGS, Tuen Mun CGS and Kwai Tsing CGS.