Air Flow & Water Nest targets Mong Kok Road Playground in Hong Kong’s Kowloon
Peninsula – an urban green public space adjacent to Mong Kok Garbage Station.
Equipped with extensive corridors and sports facilities for public recreation, the
site currently fails to mitigate heat island effects on urban health due to excessive
human made structures. Overgrown large-canopy trees block sunlight, suppressing
the growth of insects, shrubs, and groundcover plants. Meanwhile, the corridor
system hinders natural ventilation, leading to high temperatures on-site.
This design aims to improve the on-site and surrounding microclimate through
subtle adjustments. The existing corridors are removed and replaced with rotatable
steel tube installations. By analyzing local wind direction and intensity, a wind
path is created to retain heat-laden air from the concrete city within the playground.
Complemented by three newly added water-friendly scenarios, this setup lowers air
temperature, increases humidity, and keeps cooled air on-site.
Beyond microclimate optimization, user interaction is prioritized: the vibrant, rotatable
steel tubes, safe water areas, and sun-tracking shaded zones infuse the playground
with vitality while enhancing its ecological function. As a model for urban
green spaces, it proves that small changes can balance microclimate regulation
with public enjoyment.
Air Flow & Water Nest Mong Kok Playground Microclimate Revival
Student: Gu Dian – The University of Hong Kong
Supervisor: Jia Zhong