Arch. Luke LOWINGS

„The Hong Kong Glass Stair and Skylight”

The Hong Kong Glass Stair and Skylight is a small project that condenses several concerns and modes of operation of the studio. A relatively simple two storey staircase and a hydraulically raised long rectangular skylight, giving access to a rooftop terrace the project pushes the boundaries of the use of glass as a structural material and also challenges the typical perception of glass as an exclusively transparent material, all within a construction and legislative context that is extremely challenging. Carpenter|Lowings were designer and contractor, coordinating and managing consultants and specialist fabricators directly for the client. It exemplifies the processes and techniques required to achieve glass structures of quality and integrity. Its simplicity belies a depth of thought that is revealed as a way of appreciating and extending the context, the light, and the experience of moving through the space. The project was recognised with a Special Mention in the Architecture + Glass category of the Architizer A+ Awards, 2016.

Luke Lowings, born in Cambridge England, is a registered architect in the UK and New York State. He holds an MA in Architectural Design from the Royal College of Art. Between 1989 and 2001 he worked in the studio of James Carpenter Design Associates in New York and since then has had a studio in London: Carpenter|Lowings Architecture and Design. The work of both studios is internationally known and has been influential in the development of the use of glass, both as a structural material and in relation to the effects of daylight in public space.

The work synthesises the fields of Art, Architecture and Engineering. From bridge design to domestic interior artworks, from large public façade projects to small scale ephemeral structures, Luke’s work has been consistent with its emphasis on the pleasure of the fleeting experiences of daylight. The offices of JCDA, James Carpenter and Carpenter|Lowings have been awarded: a MacArthur Fellowship; Villum and Velux Foundation Award; AJ Award, Best Collaboration for Sky Reflector Net; GSA Award; AIA Architecture Merit Award; ACE/RIBA Award for Religious Architecture, and many others.

Young Architect’s Forum prize – Architectural League of New York
FX Design Award – Light Helix at the Royal Albert Hal
GSA Award – ‘Light Ceiling’ in Phoenix, Arizona
Progressive Architecture Award – Twin-Mast Bridge in St Paul, Minnesota