The Larvotto development provided an acute challenge of designing a premium residential product for RLP’s client. The site is located in the Ap Lei Chau area of Hong Kong Island which has a sensitive green backdrop of Yuk Kwai Shan, and has long suffered from a low grade reputation: noise pollution from the adjacent boatyard. The completed development of nine residential towers has already proved an outstanding success, rapidly improving perceptions of the location and also creating a new benchmark for high end residential development in Hong Kong.

Working with the natural geography of the site, RLP designed nine towers from 25 to 29 storeys in a gently curving linear arrangement along the harbourfront, overlooking the typhoon shelter towards the  Ocean Park theme park. All nine towers enjoy waterfront views, however noise pollution from the boatyards drove RLP to produce an innovative approach to the facades, providing the main frontage with non-openable curtain wall glazing, more commonly used in commercial offices, whilst also giving the majority of apartments dual aspects through the main living space with balconies overlooking the  green hills behind. The towers are positioned above a 5 storey podium deck housing the clubhouse and parking, with vehicular and pedestrian access taking residents immediately up to level 1 to raise views above the boatyards.

The apartments increase in both size and quality from the northern towers to the prime south towers, ranging from 600 square feet studios to 2,500 square feet apartments and 3,900 square feet duplexes at the upper levels. The two southern towers are also angled towards the south to take in spectacular views towards the Outlying Islands and the South China Sea. RLP included additional design ideas into these two towers with a clubhouse at a dramatic scale, and a unique transfer plate design.

Whilst quality of accommodation was paramount, the impact on the surrounding environment was also a key factor, and all the towers have been cladded in low reflective glass to minimise glare perceived from the typhoon shelter. Open sky gardens are punctured through the mid-storeys of all three clusters of towers to maintain views through the development and provide a sense of lightness to the architectural design.