The Murray, Hong Kong designed in 1969 by British architect Ron Phillips as a government office, the Murray Building garnered considerable acclaim for its pioneering energy efficiency years before sustainability was a consideration. In 2018, after undergoing meticulous renovation, the 26-floor masterpiece reopened as a high-end hotel. Led by Sir Norman Foster’s architectural firm, Foster + Partners, with Phillips as a consultant, the adaptive-reuse project retained distinctive features, including its arched colonnades and recessed windows, while incorporating materials such as marble and gold anodised aluminium. The Murray caters to business executives and leisure guests alike, offering a peaceful retreat in the city’s financial centre. Additionally, the site celebrates a magnificent Cassia javanica tree that predates the building, adding to its charm and elegance.
- “DFA Design for Asia Awards” 2018 Grand Award Finalist and Gold Award winner
‘What’s not to love about The Murray? Its geometry and arches are handsome beyond compare. It’s also a great example of sustainable Architecture and the epitome of cool, literally: the sun doesn’t hit its windows. I like thinking about the civil servants of yore working at their desks in those shaded recesses.’