Indoor 'Public' Space: A study of atria in mass transit railway (MTR) complexes of Hong Kong

Building and city are mutual 'ground' and 'figure'. In the process of urban development, buildings are typically shaped by urban space. In the past few decades, Hong Kong has become noted for its record economic development and its exceptional compact use of urban land. Shortage of developable land and pressures of increasing population have shaped Hong Kong's existing urban form. Although it has been criticized for its 'lack of identity', Hong Kong's architecture has indeed demonstrated several unique and distinct features. Most notably, the incorporation of internalized 'public' spaces together with elevated pedestrian systems into major urban buildings is successfully designed and utilized in local urban contexts. This pragmatic design is particularly obvious in the comprehensive megastructures above and around the city's Mass Transit Railway (MTR) stations. In these mega-structure buildings, atrium spaces are focal points physically and psychologically. With the trend of more holistic integration and superimposition of various functions and buildings in these MTR properties, atriums have become increasingly significant local public spaces. This article attempts to analyse the atrium spaces of station-related properties to correlate the building interiors and urban spaces. Three Hong Kong atrium features are identified for their corresponding community values. As an objective of this research, the authors hope to provide useful references for developers, architects and planners to create meaningful public space in dense urban environment. URBAN DESIGN International (2012) 17, 87-105.doi:10.1057/udi.2012.6