Innovative Mong Kok building catches eye of judges in design competition

The world is home to upwards of seven billion people, and at times it seems like Mong Kok has more than its fair share.

Indeed, with an estimated 130,000 residents per square kilometre, Mong Kok was once rated by Guinness World Records as the most densely populated place on the planet. Yet here, on one of the busiest streets, on the tiniest footprint of land, Hong Kong-based global architecture firm Aedas is creating a residential building so innovative it has caught the eye of judges in an international design competition.

Last week in Cannes, France, Mongkok Residence, at 78-88 Sai Yee Street, received a high commendation at the 2014 MIPIM Architectural Review Future Project Awards.

Now in its 13th year, the competition, which the organisers claim is the only one held exclusively for unbuilt or incomplete projects, has a strong focus on creativity. Paul Finch, editorial director of The Architectural Review and The Architects' Journal, chaired the judging panel.

Aedas describes the Mong Kok site, which is being developed for the Bank of East Asia, as "challengingly small". Measuring only 614 square metres, it has just one street frontage. The firm has reinterpreted traditional Hong Kong architecture in a 23-storey tower housing 138 studio units, incorporating gardens and greenery.

The Aedas team took inspiration from Mong Kok's early days. During the post-war boom when refugees flooded into Hong Kong, Kowloon's population swelled.

"In those days, it was common to add on iron balconies to high-rise apartments, affording residents views, outside space and a place to grow a small garden," says project designer and executive director of Aedas, Cary Lau King-hong.