Inside The Utopian World of Mount Pavilia

Mount Pavilia, a striking residential complex in Clear Water Bay developed by New World Group’s The Artisanal Movement, is a pioneering project that heralds the lifestyle of the future, says new generation tastemaker and New World Development’s Executive Vice-Chairman and General Manager Adrian Chi-kong Cheng.

With their combination of artistry, contemporary philosophy and humanistic approach, sculpture parks trended in the 1980s. Chicago’s Millennium Park, Japan’s Hakone Open Air Museum and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park are notable examples. Mount Pavilia combines residential living with a sculpture park that offers personalised living experiences of self-discovery for residents. It also makes art accessible to all, echoing Cheng’s democratic creative sentiment.

Four artworks by renowned artists have been delicately created for Mount Pavilia Sculpture Park. Hong Kong’s Kum Chi-Keung, mainland artist Gao Weigang, Italy’s Tatiana Trouvé and France’s Jean-Michel Othoniel, have crafted pieces which act like a mise-en-scene with nature, allowing residents to touch, even lie on and “become” part of the artworks. Each artist conjured their interpretation of the words “Home and Family,” and created work with unique characteristics that would inspire residents to develop their own creative interpretations of artisanal living.

Kum’s Share is a symbol of wisdom and health, whereby the cut-out section of an apple acts as a sculptural bench for viewers to appreciate the beautiful surroundings and integrate with nature. Gao’s Home, made from the traditional child’s toy of building blocks, symbolises shared happiness without borders and reflects the intimacy in family life.Othoniel, whose fountain sculptures grace the gardens of the Palace of Versailles in France and is represented by Galerie Perrotin, uses rows of glass beads to draw curves and reflect the harmony between Clear Water Bay and Mount Pavilia. A bronze mattress draped over a concrete wall as if in balance represents Tatiana Trouvé’s Waterfall. Water trickles from the mattress to the ground. It’s a mental and spatial trick, whereby material space and form converge with immaterial time and memory.

And there is a massive playground. Mount Pavilia is tailored for families and provides low-density living areas to connect people, art and nature. The environment will stimulate children’s imaginations and inspire their eight intelligences. Amsterdam’s award-winning Carve Studio created a one-of-a-kind children’s adventure area of about 17,000 sq ft. Five different multi-intelligence indoor and outdoor play areas will help kids develop mentally, socially and physically. Let’s call them little universe’s of infinite possibility.

“Everything is tailor made, the pool, and the playground,” say the Carve Studio team. “The play area gives an opportunity for kids to be away from their parents, but still be a safe environment. With the playground, everything is connected and nothing is limited by age.” But adults want to have fun, too. And they will. Serving all residents and community members, the White Yard comprises a club house, the White Yard Club, and retail block, the White Yard Gallery. The White Yard was designed by renowned Korean architect and Venice Biennale Golden Lion award winner Minsuk Cho. “The handmade quality of the buildings are all about creating a unique experience,” says Cho.

In the clubhouse, the four illustrations of the sculptures are shown as an extended concept of art and living. The residents will have the chance to take on the mantra of artisanal living. “The entire clubhouse and development has a liquid and fluid theme. It leaves room for special moments; seemingly walking through a gallery aisle, a surprise is set at the end, a half-sized basketball court with with a 3D-like handmade brick dome ceiling,” Cho says.  

The approximately 340,000-sq-ft clubhouse and landscape area adopt a range of sustainable development concepts including organic farms, aquaponics and hydroponics. The project has BEAM Plus certification by the Hong Kong Green Building Council. Sustainable development is central to maintaining a balanced ecology at Mount Pavilia, which features wind turbines and solar panels, among other attributes. The family urban farm encapsulates green living in an active and educational walk. Planting gardens and an education area allow children and parents to plant crops together and experience nature’s ecosystems through aquaponics and hydroponics. The dining and barbecue area allows residents to experience the process of preparing a meal from scratch while cherishing the importance of food resources and reducing waste.

Supplementing the clubhouse, landscape and farm, there are about 400 metre-long hiking trails, an almost 100-metre-long art trail, and an approximately 950-metre cycling track, allowing residents to experience all that nature has to offer in the comfort of their own home, thus creating a healthy new lifestyle tailored to individual tastes: an embodiment of The Artisanal Movement. Ultimately, New World Development perpetuates the mantra: “We create, we are artisans”. The Artisanal Movement believes people surrounded by fine craftsmanship and sharing the artisan spirit in their souls will be awakened. Think of it as creative epiphany. Mount Pavilia shows how this notion translates into everyday life. Also designed by Minsuk, the commercial area is smart and streamlined in appearance. On the top floor of the gallery, chi art space exhibits artworks for the community while also establishing a platform for Clear Water Bay and surrounding art enthusiasts to create an arts community close to their homes.

Minsuk’s use of glass and white concrete plays with natural light and creates a strong sense of space throughout. It’s similar to a more intimate Guggenheim, New York, with artwork to match. Chi art space’s current exhibition boasts a selection of thought-provoking art pieces from K11 Kollection – canvases and installations by the likes of Alex Prager, John Baldessari and Tony Oursler, among a host of global art luminaries.

Mount Pavilia makes art and creativity a way of life, offering bespoke space that provides an invitation to dream, the feeling of being at one with nature and with oneself. It is an elevated standard for residential projects under The Artisanal Movement. The lifestyle of the future starts here.

This article originally appeared in the August 2017 print issue of #legend magazine.