Examining Frank Gerhy's Opus Hong Kong

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The year of 2012 marked the completion of Frank Gehry’s very first residential project in Asia, the Opus Hong Kong. Coming from a Pritzker prize-winning architect, this residential complex cannot be labeled as just another building. Frank Gehry engraved his distinctive and whimsical style on the building, making it beautifully unique. However, the appeal of this building does not stop on its exterior. Serving its purpose as a residential unit, the building was meticulously designed to fit into the cultural aspect of the potential residents.
As the most expensive housing in Hong Kong, Opus is equipped with the utmost grandeur facilities. With only one apartment per floor, the space gives a sense of privacy and solitude to the owners. Complemented by floor to ceiling windows facing the metropolitan view, and the terraces designed to accessorize the harbor view (made to look like ship docks), the place is awarded with supreme luxury that ideally counterparts the hedonistic lifestyle of the natives.
Furthermore, the location of the Opus is especially favorable. Positioned on top of the mountain where there is nothing else can be built around it, the Opus secured the best of panoramic view, overlooking the skyscrapers surrounded by the lush green of the hills. That very spot has become the inspiration of the bespoke residential complex.
Under such circumstances, Frank Gehry took reference of the twentieth century art nouveau style to incorporate the natural essence into his design so that it blends with the natural environment of the surrounding. With a lot of inspiration from the nature, the exquisite façade was designed to mimic the nature. The glass-encased columns were designed to look like a swaying bamboo and the curved floor w...

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OPUS HONG KONG - Frank Gehry's First Residential Building in Asia. (n.d.). OPUS HONG KONG - Frank Gehry's First Residential Building in Asia. Retrieved May 7, 2014, from http://www.opushongkong.com/
Opus Hong Kong by Frank Gehry | INDESIGNLIVE HONG KONG. (2012, June 7). INDESIGNLIVE HONG KONG. Retrieved May 1, 2014, from http://www.indesignlive.hk/articles/opus-hong-kong-by-frank-gehry
Willett, M. (2012, August 27). A Hong Kong Apartment Just Sold For A Record $61 Million. Business Insider. Retrieved May 1, 2014, from http://www.businessinsider.com/a-hong-kong-apartment-just-sold-for-a-record-61-million-2012-8
Wong, H., & Li, Z. (2011, September 13). Frank Gehry's first China project: 'The building designed itself'. CNN Travel. Retrieved May 2, 2014, from http://travel.cnn.com/hong-kong/visit/hong-kong-next-best-landmark-953170

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