Transformation & Revitalization
Since 1974, Hong Chi Association has been running different service units in serving people with intellectual disabilities (PID) at Pinehill Village.
The staff quarters built in the 80’s has become obsolete and was converted into a Training Hotel for the PID–“The Jockey Club Hong Chi Lodge”. It provides real-life training in hotel housekeeping and catering service for trainees. The Swimming Pool, an old facility built also in the 80’s, was renovated.
A new extension of an annex building to the Training Hotel provides multi-purpose facilities including Pinehill Pottery, Arts Studio and Conference Hall to provide the PID with arts training such as pottery making, music, dance and painting.

Trinity & Unity
The highlight of this project is on the two-storey oval building. A trinity of ‘the Oval’, the Training Hotel and the Swimming Pool are merged in unity. Locating near the main entrance, ‘the Oval’ together with the Pottery Pond at forecourt has become a new landmark of the Pinehill Village.

Follow the Terrain
Surrounded by hills and trees, Pinehill Village has a unique green environment. The design of ‘the Oval’ optimizes the use of land by building partly over the slope facing the Swimming Pool. The south overhang forms a big contrast against the north facade of ‘the Oval’. Layering is the distinct feature of the North, while the South is light and floating. The arcade at the north and the verandah at the south form two different design features. The arcade fronting the forecourt forms a transitional space from outdoors to indoors. The verandah is a semi-outdoor space facing east and south. With the vertical sunscreen along the verandah, light and shadow play a symphony. The layering of space echoes with natural lighting. The ever-changing light and shadow give vitality to the architecture.

A Green Mind
‘The Oval’ is oriented north-south. With the north facing arcade and the south facing verandah, a micro-climate is created which enhances cross ventilation. Energy savings are achieved by optimizing the use of natural light and natural ventilation. The west façade of ‘the Oval’ is a solid wall. At sunset, shadows of pine trees are projected onto the wall, creating a unique picture of Pinehill painted by nature.

新界大埔松嶺村
香港建築師學會2015年獎 -「主題建築獎」

轉化再生
自1974年開始，匡智會於大埔松嶺村開設不同的服務單位，為智障人士提供服務。

建於八十年代的職員宿舍，功能已不合時宜。經改建後，現今成為專為智障人士而設的訓練酒店 — 「賽馬會匡智居」，為學員提供酒店房務及餐飲服務的訓練。同是建於80年代的訓練泳池亦得到翻新。本來殘舊的設施，現在煥然一新。新擴建的多功能設施，包括松嶺窰、展藝坊及會議堂，為學員提供陶瓷、音樂、舞蹈及繪畫等多元化的藝術培訓。

三合一體
這項目重點在新擴建兩層高蛋形的建築。這造型流暢地將三個不同的功能部份，包括訓練酒店，訓練泳池及多功能展藝坊，融為一體。這「蛋形建築」，位於松嶺村的入口處，結合前院的綠化及陶瓷小水池，成為了松嶺村的新地標。

因地制宜
松嶺村四周群山樹木環繞，高低錯落。「蛋形建築」一部份建在原本分隔泳池及訓練酒店的小斜坡上，地盡其用。向南部份朝泳池懸挑，造成南北兩面的強烈對比。朝北面的層次鮮明，而朝南面則輕盈漂浮。分別在北面及南面的騎樓是兩種截然不同的演繹。北面的柱廊，將空間層次從戶外漸漸引進戶內。朝南面的大騎樓直條子漏窗，陽光的投影令這多功能的半戶外空間變得活潑。

建築設計著重自然光線與空間層次相互作用，讓建築空間與變化的天空融為一體。光影在日夜四季的不斷變化，令建築充滿生命。

綠化心靈
建築的主立面朝向南北，結合南面及北面的騎樓，構建微氣候環境，加強南北自然對流。
設計充份運用自然採光、自然通風，做到節能環保。朝向西面的立面是實牆，夕陽將松樹的影投在牆上，畫出一幅松嶺獨特的自然畫。

設計從智障學員的內心世界出發，為他們設想一個歡欣喜樂的訓練環境，並將智障學員的藝術作品，融合建築設計。藝術成了超越界限的共通語言。