Nan Fung Group, a leading conglomerate with deep roots in Hong Kong’s development, has been shaping the city’s urban and cultural landscape since 1954. The completion of AIRSIDE, the group’s flagship project in Kai Tak, Kowloon, marks a significant milestone for the company. Once home to the former airport, Kai Tak has transformed into one of the city’s most vibrant hubs. Seizing this opportunity, the Group relocated its headquarters to AIRSIDE, creating a workplace that embodies its commitment to environmental responsibility while redefining corporate real estate in Hong Kong.
This transition was an opportunity to rethink the role of the client’s workplace. We transformed it into a high-performance environment that supports connection, inspires innovation and integrates the company’s legacy with its future ambitions.
The brief called for an HQ that would promote transparency, encourage innovation and promote wellbeing, all while showcasing Nan Fung’s commitment to sustainability and long-term growth. Our multidisciplinary team collaborated closely with the client’s design team to create a destination that celebrates the company’s aspirations while empowering its people.
Balancing operational efficiency with a human approach was a must. The layout seamlessly connects social hubs, focus areas, and flexible collaboration spaces, creating an intuitive flow that supports different ways of working. The space is conceived to integrate AIRSIDE’s advanced building systems that continuously monitor carbon emissions, air quality, energy use and waste. This ensures the space actively contributes to the company’s sustainability goals.
Sustainability is embedded into every aspect of this project from the ground up. The client is also the developer of AIRSIDE, which achieved BEAM Plus, LEED and WELL Platinum certifications, meeting the highest international standards for energy efficiency, health and environmental impact. We carefully selected materials to support a circular economy, including FSC-certified timber, Cradle-to-cradle-certified finishes and carbon-negative partitions made from upcycled coffee grounds.
As the first commercial development in Hong Kong to adopt Kai Tak’s district cooling system, Nan Fung’s new workplace significantly reduces energy demand, while daylight-responsive lighting and occupancy sensors optimise comfort and efficiency and the roofscape is enhanced to maximise PV installation.
Water conservation practices also play a central role, with high-efficiency fixtures reducing consumption by over 50% compared to baseline standards. A digital monitoring system tracks water usage in real-time, allowing for continuous optimisation and responsible resource management. Moreover, a smart waste management system further enhances the HQ’s sustainable performance by tracking recycling rates and encouraging environmentally conscious behaviours.
Nan Fung’s commitment to wellbeing is clear in a space designed to support health, focus and creativity. More than twenty species of plants are present, improving air quality and establishing a connection to nature. Expansive balconies and open terraces offer direct access to fresh air and natural light. Together with the staircase we designed, they encourage movement and time outdoors.
Balcony view of Nan Fung Group's HQ at AIRISDE Inside, ergonomic workstations and adaptive seating promote physical wellbeing. We created a WELL-certified area called SEWIT Hub — a dedicated space for relaxation and social connection.
While AIRSIDE represents a forward-looking vision, Nan Fung’s history remains deeply embedded in its historic Central HQ. So, we weaved elements of the previous site into Nan Fung’s new home. The woven brick wall in the reception area is a tribute to the company’s textile heritage, while vintage clocks, industrial-inspired partitions and archival photographs connect the present to the past. These details ensure that the HQ is a continuation of the client’s legacy—one that respects its origins while embracing the opportunities of the future.
We look forward to seeing how our new office at AIRSIDE will inspire meaningful dialogues, enhance teamwork and contribute to our continued success.
Nan Fung Group’s Management
Completed
2024
Hong Kong
5,574 sq m / 60,000 sq ft
