3.1.4 Improving the indoor environment
Retrofitting also creates opportunities to improve the comfort levels of a building that could improve the experience of
visitors and prolong their stay or increase the frequency of their visits. Apart from thermal comfort concerns as discussed
in
internal spaces can become more enjoyable by introducing natural daylight (See
), providing
green plants and seating (See
and improving internal circulation (See
).
Benefits of sustainable retrofitting
Pacific Place, Admiralty
Figure 41 Retrofitting of Pacific Place, Admiralty (Source: Swire Properties Limited)
Pacific Place was originally constructed in the 1980s. Over 1.6 million man-hours have been spent on the
retrofitting project since it was initiated in 2007 and completed in 2011.
• Flat skylights replace the previous pyramid-shaped ones to maintain natural daylight inside the building
whilst allowing the roof to be converted into a public terrace.
• It has also installed a new signage system around the building, helping visitors find their way around.
• Landscape: 72 variations of plant species were employed for landscaping of the level 4 area in the
new design.
• Soundscape: Journeys through the mall are more enjoyable with a new music system continuously
playing music tracks interwoven with natural sounds. More details about soundscape will be discussed in
.
Source: Swire Properties Limited
3
Planning for shopping malls and shop spaces
3.1
Retrofitting existing buildings to become new shopping malls and shop spaces
3.1.5 Professional help
It is important to engage professionals for detailed consultations on the implementation of retrofits at shopping malls and
shop spaces. The following is a list of references for getting professional help:
• Authorised persons (AP) and registered structural engineers (RSE) – Appendix A (2)
• Landscape architects – Appendix A (3)
• Registered professional engineers (RPE) in the building services discipline – Appendix A (4)
•
Appendix A (7)
• Registered contractors – Appendix B (1) (4) (5) & (9)
Hong Kong Green Building Council 75
