Introduction

Hong Kong has world famous hiking trails. They are getting more popular in local communities during the epidemic period. This competition targets to enhance visitor’s experience by improving hiking facilities. We shall also take it as an opportunity to reconsider the relationship between human and mother nature.

We start with “Railing”. We consider it as a symbol representing the relationship between human and nature. This relationship is complex and mercurial: sometimes we want to be immersed in nature; sometimes we only want to appreciate it; and sometimes we need to keep distance from it.

Railing System

We design a Railing System made up of serious metal plates. (These metal plates could be recycled sheet pile.)  By controlling distance between the plates, boundary with different transparency is produced. Rotation of each plate produces similar effect, plus offers possibility to guide people’s visual direction. This spectrum of transparency allows the system suiting different contexts.

The height of the Railing responds to different topographies. On flat ground, the height could be varied to produce impressive effect. On sloped ground, the height could follow the slope as typical railing, or the top line could remain at same level across the slop, such enhancing people’s consciousness of walking on uneven ground.

Other accessories, such as handrail, bench and interpretation panel are incorporated in the Railing System. Different types of signage could be made by changing colour and form of individual plate.

Application on Facilities

In the entrance area, the Railings gradually emerge from ground, guiding people to the entry staircase. These Railings mark a formal entry to mountain area, and provide handrail to support the visitors. The first few stairs are enlarged to provide sense of welcoming. A metal plate of shiny gold colour serves as a signage.

The photo taking points is a circular area defined by the Railing. The Railing has a varying height responding to the surrounding mountains. Its metal plates are rotated to allow maximum transparency towards the view. Small stones such as granite or pebble are used to pave the ground to highlight this area. Signage, bench and interpretation panel are provided.

For the viewing platform design, instead of a single checkpoint-like facility, we provide a comprehensive experience: the Railings gradually appear when hikers walking on the last slope towards the headland. They are getting higher and higher, changing from balustrade to full height wall. The experience between walls contrasts hikers’ feeling when they reaching the wide-open viewing platform. Two pebble paved platforms are provided on the two peaks. The top line of Railings remains at same level across the trough. Existing aerial photo control point is remained as it has become a signature to the place.

Conclusion

Responding to the relationship between human and nature, our proposal provide a robust Railing System characterised by flexibility and responsiveness to changing context. We wish it would contribute to redefine the transition from the mundane to the sacred nature.