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Funded by the Government and with a committed donation of over HK$137 million from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has built two new postgraduate halls near Area 39 on CUHK campus. The hostel project, Jockey Club Postgraduate Halls 2 & 3 at CUHK, faces the scenic Tolo Harbour. It has been rated “Provisional Platinum” under the Building Environmental Assessment Method (BEAM) Plus New Building [V1.2] assessment by the Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC), and has been shortlisted for other architectural awards. The comfortable and eco-friendly hostels have become a new benchmark for sustainable buildings not only at CUHK, but also in Hong Kong and worldwide. 

The CUHK Jockey Club Postgraduate Halls 2 & 3 were officially opened today (23 October). Mr. Leong Cheung, Executive Director, Charities and Community of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), Dr. Norman N.P. Leung, Chairman of the Council, CUHK, Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President, CUHK, and Professor Anthony T.C. Chan, Dean of the Graduate School, CUHK, officiated at the ceremony. 

At the ceremony, Mr. Leong Cheung, Executive Director, Charities and Community of HKJC, noted that HKJC has been supporting the construction of university halls to meet the shortfall of hostel spaces arising from an increase in the number of tertiary students in recent years. “HKJC hopes that every student enjoying the new hall facilities will take advantage of this excellent learning environment to better prepare themselves for their future.” 

Professor Rocky Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK expressed his sincere gratitude to the Club’s Charities Trust. He said, “HKJC supported the construction of Postgraduate Hall 1 in 1999, and again it supported Postgraduate Halls 2 & 3 to benefit more CUHK students. CUHK has been continuously supported by HKJC since the 1960s. Through its charitable trusts, HKJC has made a number of donations to CUHK to fulfill its educational mission, including more than 70 meaningful programmes in education, campus development, health, and community service. It shows the determination of HKJC in serving the community and improving people’s lives. On behalf of the University, I wish to express my warm and sincere thanks to HKJC for its support again.”

Professor Anthony Chan, Dean of Graduate School, CUHK, said, “The CUHK Jockey Club Postgraduate Halls 2 & 3 provide more places for postgraduate students, giving them more opportunities to experience hostel life. The University attaches great importance to postgraduate students’ physical and mental health as part of their all-round development. For the postgraduate students from around the world, the hostel is their second home. I would like to encourage the postgraduate students to not only focus on academic research, but also fully enjoy campus life and integrate into the big CUHK family.” 

Award-winning design with green and sustainable features 

The architectural design of the new hostels is in coordination with the University’s Campus Master Plan and sustainable campus policy. The hostel blocks feature vertical greening woven through all 12 floors, with sky gardens on alternate floors and along the entire first floor. A green building design is introduced for more enhanced aesthetics; it improves ventilation, provides shading and brings in natural lighting, thus minimising the heat island effect. Green roofs are built on the multi-purpose hall for students to enjoy organic farming. Solar panels are installed all over the rooftop to preheat water for the shower rooms. A rainwater recycling system uses the water collected for irrigation. Through the grey water treatment system, wastewater from washing basins and shower rooms is reused to water the soft landscape. To promote behaviour change of users towards sustainable living, smart meters and pay stations are further provided to monitor the electricity consumption of the hostel bedrooms and common areas. 

In recognition of its energy-efficient and environmentally-responsive design, the hostel project has been rated “Provisional Platinum” under the BEAM Plus New Buildings [V1.2] assessment by the Hong Kong Green Building Council. Platinum is the highest rating awarded by the Council and requires an overall score of 75. The CUHK Jockey Club Postgraduate Halls 2 & 3 achieved a score of 88. The project has also been shortlisted in HKGBC’s Green Building Award 2019 (New Buildings Category) and the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) Annual Awards 2018/19 (Residential Building Category), showing CUHK’s enormous level of dedication and commitment to sustainable buildings, and the results are encouraging. 

A green-hostel village adding zest to Area 39 

The CUHK Jockey Club Postgraduate Halls 2 & 3 are designed to embrace nature and a green living village concept. Students are encouraged to share knowledge, interact with each other and create an inspiring community life. The two 12-storey buildings provide 676 bed-places and a number of public facilities, allowing postgraduate students who are local and from different countries and regions to enjoy the surrounding natural environment and build a young intellectual community. Clustering around the Central Piazza is a host of user-friendly communal facilities, including a library, a gym, a canteen and other multi-function rooms. The Piazza provides entrance from the harbour side and access to Campus Circuit Road and C.W. Chu College through the grand steps and gateway on the opposite side. On completion of the overall plan and development at Area 39, the area will become a research hub and green-hostel village adjacent to the main campus.