Circular design builds community

2026-08-23 10:41 Last Updated At：10:41

The Civil Engineering Office of the Civil Engineering & Development Department (CEDD) has launched “Connection”, a new community liaison centre that stands as Hong Kong’s first structure built using a circular design concept.

Located at the Ma Liu Shui promenade, the facility opened its doors to the public on July 28 to showcase sustainable infrastructure and promote the civil engineering profession through interactive exhibits.

Designed to eliminate carbon emission and to keep resources in use for as long as possible, the building serves as a live demonstration of low-carbon architecture. It incorporates innovative materials, including CarbonCure concrete, biochar concrete and engineered bamboo.

Sustainable infrastructure

CEDD Senior Engineer Cathy Cheng explained that the circular building design is mainly reflected in two fundamental cycles.

“The first is the biological loop. It pursues the principle that building materials should be taken from and returned to nature. For example, we used renewable and biodegradable engineered bamboo to replace conventional building materials as the building’s structural framework,” Miss Cheng said.

She said that once the building serves its purpose, the bamboo framework will safely decompose back into nature.

“The second cycle is the technical loop, which leaves the possibility of giving each primary structural component a second life. This allows the building's life cycle to extend beyond a single location, enabling resources to circulate continuously.”

Miss Cheng added that the department hopes the project will serve as a model for scaling innovative materials and technologies across other local and regional developments.

Interactive exhibits

Since its official opening, “Connection” has drawn visitors to explore four distinct exhibition zones: the Interactive Corridor, the Immersive Cinema, the Interactive Area and the Souvenir Area.

CEDD Project Co-ordinator Sam Chu highlighted the Interactive Area as the facility’s hallmark experience. Featuring large screens in front and underfoot, the space uses interactive storytelling to make civil engineering concepts accessible.

“‘Connection’ aims to help the public learn more about the Civil Engineering Office in a more engaging, relaxed and simple way. It also seeks to promote the civil engineering profession to the public,” Mr Chu said.

Community liaison

Building on that public engagement focus, Miss Cheng noted that this accessible approach ties directly into the centre’s broader mission: fostering community connection, driving industry innovation and supporting eco-tourism.

“We hope to strengthen our connection with the public and promote engineering development through innovative thinking,” she explained.

“The Civil Engineering Office has always been committed to improving and maintaining public piers so that the public can access Hong Kong's various natural attractions more safely and comfortably to enjoy eco-tourism.”

She added that the facility’s location near two public piers serves a principal purpose as a gathering point for local eco-tourism. This aligns with the department’s ongoing efforts to upgrade public pier infrastructure, ensuring safer, more comfortable access to Hong Kong’s natural attractions.

Visitor information

“Connection” is open six days a week, closing only on Mondays for regular maintenance. The centre offers extended operating hours on Fridays, weekends and public holidays. Admission is free to all members of the public.

Nightmarish start for Maresca as Arsenal outclasses Man City in Community Shield

Enzo Maresca endured a nightmarish first competitive match in charge of Manchester City as Arsenal scored inside 24 seconds before powering to a 3-0 victory in the Community Shield on Sunday.

English soccer’s annual season curtain-raiser between the reigning champions in the Premier League (Arsenal) and FA Cup (City) offered a chance for an early assessment of the two teams most likely to challenge for the big trophies this campaign.

While Arsenal delivered a statement performance — not least by scoring after 23 seconds through Riccardo Calafiori — at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, there might be some early concerns for City and Maresca at the start of the post-Pep Guardiola era.

Kai Havertz headed home the second goal in the 28th through the grasp of City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Martin Odegaard ran unchallenged into City’s area, before sitting down Donnarumma with an outrageous dummy and slotting a finish into an unguarded net in the 48th.

Playful chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” came from Arsenal’s jubilant supporters toward Maresca for part of the game in which City rarely threatened opposition goalkeeper David Raya. Erling Haaland — only just back in training after the World Cup — was substituted in the 53rd minute after having just seven touches.

“The goal we conceded after 30 seconds affects the game,” Maresca said.

“It’s a defeat that hurts us, but it’s only the beginning.”

It was the perfect preparation for Arsenal ahead of the beginning of its Premier League title defense — at home to Coventry on Friday.

“I think we showed our level today, that we are ready,” Odegaard, Arsenal's captain, said. “We are serious and we want to do it again.”

City launches its league campaign two days later at home to Bournemouth and it remains to be seen if Maresca reacts to this defeat by changing his team around.

“It's part of any transition, for things to not be perfect in the beginning,” newly appointed City captain Ruben Dias said. “You need to keep on working … and there's going to be lots of challenges along the way.”

Calafiori ran on to Myles Lewis-Skelly's threaded throughball to give Arsenal an explosive start and score the first goal in the opening minute of the Community Shield since 1968. On that occasion, Bobby Owen netted for City against West Bromwich Albion.

Arsenal went on to record the biggest margin of victory in the season curtain-raiser since 2014, when the Gunners also beat City 3-0.

Rodri, Spain's World Cup-winning captain, wasn't with the City squad in Cardiff as he continues his recovery from minor back surgery to the backdrop of a potential move to Barcelona.

His absence leaves a huge hole in Maresca's midfield that might only have been partially filled by Elliot Anderson following his $155 million move from Nottingham Forest.

One interesting selection by City's new manager was Jack Grealish, who came on at the start of the second half for his first appearance for the team in more than a year. Does it suggest his career at City could be reignited after he was sent on loan to Everton last season?

Maresca did little to clear up the situation.

“While he’s here with us, it’s my duty to help him,” he said.

Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80

See AP’s full soccer coverage here