Tai Tam Tuk Raw Water Pumping Station Staff Quarters Compound: EARTH - Eco, Art & Culture, Revitalisation, Technology and Heritage

• Selected applicant: Lifewire Foundation Limited (Cooperating organistion: The Harbour School Foundation Limited)
• Capital cost: About HK$288.3 million (as at September 2020 price level)
• Government subsidy required for operation of social enterprise: About HK$5 million

General Project Description

• To revitalise Tai Tam Tuk Raw Water Pumping Station Staff Quarters Compound into a school for nature-based early childhood education grounded in STEM education, teacher training and after-school nature-based experiential learning programmes.  The project will also provide the general public with leisure and cultural activities, including guided tours, nature-related activities, wellbeing programmes, arts and music events, etc; and
• To set up a Water Gallery to display the history of the water supply in Hong Kong and the historical significance of the declared monument.

Historical Significance

The historical significance of the building will be demonstrated and maintained by:

• Taking into account the principle of “minimum intervention” and “reversibility” in the design of the proposed layout of the declared monument;
• Keeping all building façades of the declared monument intact in general;
• Preserving and restoring all character defining elements of the declared monument;
• Minimising visual impact to the declared monument when proposing facilities like barrier free access and new building services installations, etc.;
• Providing easy access to the proposed display areas for the public; and
• Providing a viewing platform at the roof of the new Annex at yard to allow the public to appreciate the front façade of the Pumping Station, the waterfront and nearby environment.

Technical Aspects

EARTH - Eco, Art & Culture, Revitalisation, Technology and Heritage complies with conservation guidelines by:

• Complying with current requirements of building regulations, like the provision of barrier free access;
• Conducting fire engineering study to remedy the sub-standard compliance of Fire Safety Requirements;
• Proposing a single-storey new Annex at yard for better space utilisation and providing long span spaces for social events;
• Conducting Traffic Impact Assessment with mitigation measures to minimise the traffic impact to the nearby area;
• Seeking environmental permit under Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance; and
• Seeking work permit under Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance.

Social Benefits

The project will bring benefits to the society by:

• Providing nature-based inclusive early childhood education to children and eco-education training to educators;
• Presenting a variety of education, leisure and cultural activities that centers around the Tai Tam area and/or environmental sustainability to raise awareness for the environment;
• Providing guided tours to let the public know more about the historical values and the revitalisation process of the declared monument as well as the surrounding areas; and
• Offering job opportunities, including to youths at risk and families of construction accident victims.

Selected Organisation

Lifewire Foundation Limited was established in 2015 by Chun Wo Development Group.  It is the first online charity fundraising platform in Hong Kong dedicated to supporting children suffering from rare diseases.

The Harbour School Foundation Limited operates an international school that currently offers pre-primary and primary classes, as well as special arrangements for students with special learning needs.

Way Forward

• The selected organisation has to:
  • invite consultancies;
  • complete the detailed design of the project;
  • seek planning permission (where applicable) from the Town Planning Board on the intended usage;
  • seek formal funding approval from the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council for the renovation work;
  • prepare tender documents and engage main contractor;
  • supervise and monitor the renovation work;
  • apply for licences (where applicable) for intended operations; and
  • sign with the Government agreements on operations of the social enterprise and preservation of the declared monument.
• Anticipated Project Commissioning Time: 2028 (Phased completion and opening will be actively explored for early public enjoyment of the declared monument)
• Anticipated Breakeven Time: Year 3