The Hong Kong Polytechnic University held the topping-out ceremony for the Jockey Club Innovation Tower on 24 September. On completion, Innovation Tower will be home to PolyU School of Design (SD) and the newly established Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation. Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) Chairman Mr T Brian Stevenson; PolyU Council Chairman Ms Marjorie Yang Mun-tak; former Council Chairman Mr Victor Lo; PolyU President Professor Timothy W. Tong and Dean of SD Professor Cees de Bont officiated at the ceremony.
Mr T Brian Stevenson, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, told the guests that an environment where people come together to generate and realise new ideas was needed for the city to thrive in innovation. "This is where the Design Institute for Social Innovation can make such a great contribution to Hong Kong's development and sustain Hong Kong's position as a leading design and creative hub in the region. With this magnificent new Innovation Tower, PolyU can look forward to becoming a renowned centre for creative design and innovation."
Architect Zaha Hadid warmly congratulated the University. "We would like to thank all of those who have supported this project, particularly Victor Lo, HKJC sponsors Brian Stevenson and Douglas So and from the Polytechnic University Marjorie Yang, Timothy Tong and Philip Chan," said Hadid via a video message. "It is a very important project for us, particularly because it's in Hong Kong, the city where my career started. I have always had tremendous affection for it," explained Hadid.
The new Jockey Club Innovation Tower is located at the northeastern tip of the university campus. Construction work began in 2009 and is expected to be completed by mid 2013. The tower will provide 15,000 square metres of net floor area and accommodate 1,800 staff and students. It will house a lecture hall, 10 classrooms, design studios and workshops as well as a design museum, exhibition space and a communal viewing lounge.
