Goods Transfer Station, King Abdullah Financial District, Saudi Arabia
Client: Rayadah Investment Company (RIC)

The proposed wall cladding allows natural lighting to infiltrated into the internal space and provide a good working environment. The Goods Transfer Station is in two levels for transfer of goods from large vehicles to smaller delivery vehicles Strict security vigilance and CCTV have been installed for monitoring the entire area for security purposes.

Such security includes ID badge and access control, metal detectors, alarm system link to local security authority and a professional security team. Additionally a centralised ventilation and lighting system, emergency power supply and wireless infrastructure enabling radio frequency data transmission and GPS are essential design components.

The proposed redevelopment consists of a public concourse, with a transport interchange below and offices and shops above. The area is bounded by several streets forming a very large traffic island. Particular emphasis was placed on pedestrian access; a high level walk-way system was designed to link the concourse to the main shopping precinct in King Street; additional connections have also been planned to the International Hotel across the road and other centres of activity in the streets surrounding the site.

Shankland Cox was commissioned to design a large housing scheme at Sha Tau Kok township which is divided by the border between Hong Kong and the People's Republic of China. The housing scheme forms part of the redevelopment proposals for Sha Tau Kok which aim to replace the squatter community and upgrade the area by the introduction of new infrastructure and community facilities.

The redevelopment proposals were made as result of planning studies undertaken by Shankland Cox earlier on. The housing scheme consist of 673 dwellings for a population of 3900 on a 3.55 hectare site and includes local community facilities, a town square, shops, children's play areas and a kindergarden. There are four basic flat types proposed in the development that have been arranged in different mixes in each of the blocks. The development rises to six levels with shared staircases access to three units per floor. Each of the dwellings looks into discrete landscaped courts including parking enclosed by the building. The far eastern end the residential blocks are curved in the form of a crescent to follow the road configuration forming a square including shops at ground level. The structural design is based on reinforced concrete cross wall construction on piled foundations.

Market demand studies were conducted in order to estimate the likely quantity and composition of industrial development at each of the three estates. The results of the market study were analyzed and a range of building plots were devised compatible with the identified demand. The Master Plans drew together the conclusions of the various base studies, the principal elements of which were namely the allocation principles for individual industries; engineering infrastructure requirements and layout and industrial management principles.

The final stages of the project involved refining the Master Plans and the preparation of detailed architectural designs for advanced factories and central services buildings. The market studies had identified a significant number of potential small land demands for 1000 square metres to 2000 square metres and it was considered that in these cases advance premises would be appropriate. On this basis it was proposed that a number of advanced factories be built, capable of accommodating small scale industrial enterprise. These units form part of the initial phase of development of the estates, and these advanced factories will tend to set a standard which all the industrialists may be encouraged to follow: Due to the diverse nature of activities and functions within the estates a central facilities complex was proposed comprising of an administrative block, health centre, recreation centre, bank, shops, visitors lodge, police station, telephone exchange, maintenance garage and workshop.