Plans for a 400-meter-long glass building in Hong Kong's Central district have been released by a consortium of architecture practices, including Amanda Levete's firm AL_A and UNStudio. Architecture with biophilic principles is rocking it more with each passing year. Look at this project to see how plants invade the facades.
Biophilic Architecture at Urban Scale
Set to overlook Victoria Harbour, the mixed-use Central Yards development will encompass 148,600 square meters and have a biophilic design complete with an expansive rooftop garden.
Designs for the £6.1 billion project, which is being overseen by local developer Henderson Land, were created by AL_A alongside Dutch firm UNStudio, local studio Lead8, US studio Peter Walker and Partners, and London-based Speirs Major. According to Henderson Land, its design was conceptualised as a bridge that unifies the surrounding neighborhoods and the harbor.
Rooftop Landscapes Redefining the City Skyline
Centred on a powerful concept of 'the bridge', Central Yards is an iconic groundscraper spanning approximately 400 meters along Victoria Harbour, forming Central's longest architecture and a new horizontal skyline. Central Yards is defined by its unprecedented scale of open space and its commitment to people‑centric, biophilic urban design.
Renders of the proposal reveal a series of soft-edged, glazed volumes arranged as an interconnected cluster, linked by raised walkways that weave through layers of integrated plants. Generous voids and lofty openings are carved through the built forms, creating sheltered terraces that blur the fine line between indoors and outdoors. These elevated spaces are designed to accommodate public gatherings and cultural events, doubling as flexible event venues across the upper floors.
At ground level, the architecture opens up to a network of landscaped outdoor spaces that wrap around a central promenade lined with 'purpose-designed' retail units. This active retail spine forms a key component of the development’s 83,600 square meters of commercial space, animating the public realm while encouraging pedestrian flow and social interaction throughout the site.
Contained within the building will be approximately 65,000 square meters of office and ancillary space. According to Henderson Land, these workspaces will include the largest single office floorplate in Hong Kong’s Central Business District, offering highly flexible layouts designed to accommodate evolving workplace needs and hybrid working models.
Additional cultural and public amenities include a 1,100-seat theatre, distinguished by a dynamic, reflective façade that acts as a visual landmark within the development. Complementing the interior programs, Central Yards will feature an expansive sky garden stretching nearly 300 meters across the rooftop, providing panoramic views and generous outdoor space for recreation, relaxation, and informal gatherings.
At the building’s harbour-facing frontage, a pair of stepped terraces will be dedicated to al fresco dining, creating elevated social spaces with uninterrupted views across Victoria Harbour. According to the developer, Central Yards sets new benchmarks for sustainability in Hong Kong and has registered for the highest standards from nine of the world’s most respected green and smart building certifications.
Construction is planned to be delivered in two phases, with the first phase scheduled to commence in 2027, followed by the second phase in 2032.
Photos: @hendersonland.
