Changes to the building II

The old parade ground in the central courtyard as seen in this picture is no longer an outdoor area but has been assimilated as part of the building's interior. The old parade ground has been transformed into an atrium, named the ARTrium, with a glass skylight and adorned with sculptures by Anthony Poon and Ng Yak Whee.

The skylight has been designed as light as possible with the glass held in compression by a system of cable ties.

Here, arts activities and performances are held while shops, art galleries and cafes surround the ARTrium.

Where new structures were constructed, such as the replacement block, the ARTrium and the lift tower, they were expressed in contemporary architectural language, using glass, steel and granite. Glass and steel are considered light and transparent materials that give contrast to the original elements yet do not obscure them.

One major new structure is the lift tower, constructed to provide lift access to all floors. The tower, set away from the existing building fabric to avoid problems with
structural integration, houses four lifts, clustered around a lobby. As there was no clear central core in the original building layout, the new lift lobby also serves as a focal circulation point.