Hong Kong’s Admiralty Station is a mega railway station with four-line interchanging. As part of the newly opened cross-harbour Shatin-to-Central Link (SCL) extension, it allows passengers to reach Hong Kong Island’s commercial, convention and exhibition areas on the East Rail Line without changing lines.

Arup was engaged for the multidisciplinary design of this terminus for the South Island Line (East) and SCL to provide four new platforms and interchange with two existing lines. Our scope of work included lead consultant, planning, architectural sub-consultancy, civil, structural and geotechnical engineering, building services, fire engineering and other specialist services.

Innovative underpinning approach

A major challenge was the underpinning of the existing Island Line finger platform structural box, which also houses the ventilation plant. To address the complex station arrangement and constraints involving the railway facilities for the operating Tsuen Wan and Island lines, we designed the proposed phased sequencing of works for the removal of the solid rock beneath the box and insertion of a permanent structural framework to carry it, setting a precedent in Hong Kong.

2D illustrative design of Admiralty Station
Cutaway of the station demonstrates its scale and complexity

By adopting real-time monitoring and a computerised jacking system, the contractor could control the undue movements induced by the construction and the underpinning works, ensuring smooth passenger operation of the running metro lines.

A pleasant outdoor space for the public

We designed a large, elevated landscape deck above the station to reprovision the former Harcourt Garden which was displaced by station construction.
Extensive green walls and various raised planters lessen the visual bulk of the elevated deck along with terraced areas for people to sit and enjoy the views. The garden also features 29 large granite blocks used for a seawall completed around 1902 and salvaged during the station excavation work.

Landscape grounds outside the station
Extensive green walls and various raised and stepped planters lessen the visual bulk of the elevated deck along with terraced areas for people to sit and enjoy the views.

Optimised signage and wayfinding system

The extensive station expansion led to a drastic increase of the number of signs, making it harder for passengers to find their way around the station. We worked closely with the client to develop a Realtime Interactive Model of the station environment, using cutting-edge 3D simulation technology to optimise the wayfinding and signage design. Through testing the movement of different user groups including wheelchair and pram users in a virtual journey, the model identified potential issues and enhancements to the passenger experience. It also enabled MTR to reduce costs in comparison to post-construction relocation.

Passengers moving around Admiralty station
Our Realtime Interactive Model helped identify potential issues and enhance passenger experience
Passengers moving towards the concourse
A cutting-edge 3D simulation technology is used in the Admiralty Station to test the wayfinding and signage design.
Passengers disembark from a train that has arrived at the station
The interactive model tested the movement of different user groups, including wheelchair and pram users, to embark on a virtual journey to identify problem areas.