• The Twins: Redefining Urban Retail and Community Spaces in Kai Tak

    22 January 2025

    In the dynamic landscape of Hong Kong’s urban development, few projects encapsulate innovation and community synergy as effectively as The Twins at Kai Tak. This visionary mixed-use development, spearheaded by Lifestyle International, presents a transformative approach to retail and architectural excellence.

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    Spanning over 1.1 million square feet of gross floor area and comprising two architecturally striking towers, The Twins is designed to serve as an Entrance Gateway of Kai Tak.  Residential, commercial, cultural, tourist, and sports facilities embodies a confluence of sustainability, luxury, and community-focused design in the development.

    Lifestyle International selected DLN as the lead architects for The Twins.  DLN is also the design architect for the current facade and elevation design, as well as the sky garden ceiling which interfaces with our[1]  design envelope.

    From layout and facade design, building plans submission, statutory procedures, technical coordination with contractors on site and contract administration, through to maximising development potential and obtaining Occupation Permit and Certificate of Compliance, DLN has been at the centre of the architectural process since 2017.

    A Visionary Milestone for Kai Tak

    Situated prominently within the Kai Tak redevelopment area — a master-planned district set to revolutionise Hong Kong’s urban framework — The Twins anchors its identity as the largest retail and lifestyle complex in East Kowloon.

    Tower I is home to the new SOGO Kai Tak Store, and Tower II houses SNDO (pronounced “San-do”), a lifestyle retail complex. Each tower offers a distinct interior design and commercial strategy, ensuring a diverse yet cohesive experience for visitors.

    Punctuated by four underground levels, with a main roof level of 120mPD to comply with building height restrictions, The Twins incorporates a stepping height concept, skygardens, and flat rooves to optimise wind capture and ventilation.  It also seeks to redefine the possibilities of urban integration and to create a retail experience that blends seamlessly with its surroundings.

    Ms. Kam Shim Lau, Executive Director of Lifestyle International, highlights the project’s ethos: “Our vision for The Twins is to create an innovative lifestyle retail platform that not only offers shopping, dining, entertainment, and services but also builds upon an existing vibrant community hub, contributing to urban vitality, happiness, and well-being of the surrounding neighbourhood.”

    Sustainable façade design

    Throughout the development architects DLN have adopted a “Different Together” philosophy, where symmetrical exteriors conceal contrasting interior themes.   A façade pattern of granite and glass is applied to all sides of the elevations of both towers to achieve an elegant and characteristic twin tower appearance.

    The façade emphasises the use of contrasting materials such as granite cladding and glass curtain walls, while prominent architectural features break down the façade to human scale to create visual interest and hierarchies in the massing of the building.  The design also incorporates setbacks, which create an interesting geometry to the building façade. Glass is a prominent feature, with the middle and top façades boasting a 50% and 66.6% glass coverage respectively, while reducing glare from large window surfaces.

    Lifestyle International’s commitment to sustainability is further evident throughout The Twins, with the project having achieved the highest provisional certifications for green building practices, including BEAM Plus Provisional Platinum rating.

    Innovative energy-efficient designs include a district cooling system that reduces electricity usage by 35% compared to traditional cooling methods.  Green facades and 61,000 square feet of greenery, including signature sky gardens, contribute to urban cooling and improved air quality.  Construction practices, such as using high-strength concrete to minimise materials and recycling 30% of construction waste further enhance the architect’s and developer’s commitment to sustainability.

    Architectural excellence meets community integration

    Designed as a gateway to Kai Tak’s vibrant Station Square, The Twins leverages thoughtful architectural elements to enhance both aesthetics and functionality.  This includes a full height glass wall shop front on the first two storeys, the use of tiered levels to optimise wind capture and daylight, as well as transparent glass facades and a barrier free design that integrates accessible ramps, automatic sliding doors and thoughtfully placed seating to ensure inclusivity for all.   A canopy is provided along the south-west facing façade of the development, providing a shading device for the glass wall.

    The architectural integrity extends to preserving local view corridors, with the towers strategically separated by over 60 metres. This design ensures unobstructed sightlines to landmarks such as Victoria Harbour and Victoria Peak, maintaining the district’s visual and cultural connectivity.

    Meanwhile, the 12/F and 13/F Sky Koen, a semi-open space with extensive greenery, provides panoramic views of Station Square and serves as a gathering spot for relaxation and social interaction.  Ground-level plazas feature landscaping that transitions seamlessly into adjacent public parks, create a harmonious blend of private development and public amenities.  The inclusion of outdoor decks and alfresco dining spaces further enhance the urban environment, offering unique vantage points and opportunities for leisure.  Indeed, the site coverage of both towers is around only 50% of the site area, with the setbacks of the upper façade reducing the coverage of the buildings even further at higher levels and improving the sightlines of the surrounding areas. 

    Boosting Local Economy and Connectivity

    Beyond its architectural and retail innovations, The Twins is contributing significantly to Hong Kong’s economy. The HK$15 billion investment looks set to create approximately 3,800 jobs, spanning construction, retail, and management. Its connectivity is another standout feature. With direct links to the Kai Tak MTR Station, an adjacent elevated footbridge, and abundant EV-charging-equipped parking facilities, The Twins seamlessly integrates with the broader urban transit network.

    With Tower I having opened in November 2024 and already boasting an impressive 95% occupancy rate, and the completion of Tower II set for 2025, The Twins looks set to become a cornerstone of the region’s cultural, economic, and social vitality.

    As such, The Twins is more than an architectural landmark; it’s a testament to what’s possible when visionary design meets a deep understanding of community needs. With its innovative retail formats, sustainable design, and commitment to enhancing urban life, The Twins is set to become a beacon of progress in Kai Tak, redefining how cities integrate commercial and communal spaces. It also stands as a symbol of Hong Kong’s resilience and adaptability, paving the way for a future where architecture and community thrive in harmony.

    Site Area: 14,159 m²
    Total G.F.A.: 101,833 m² 
    Area Above Ground: 92,744 m²
    Area Below Ground: 9,200 m²
    Office Area: 111,661m²
    Retail and F&B Area: 72,051 m²
    Storeys Above Ground: 21
    Basement Floors: 4
    Carpark No.: 500 (100% equipped with EV charging facilities)
    No. of Blocks: 2
    Building Height: 120 mpd

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