Location: Hong Kong
Client: Henning Larsen Architects
Project overview
Nestled amidst the urban expanse of Hong Kong, the Tseung Kwan O Campus of the French International School (FIS) emerges as an oasis of greenery. At its forefront, the Nano Forest serves as a nature landmark, introducing native biodiversity and symbolizing the school’s commitment to sustainability.
Accommodating ~1,100 students, FIS features a sustainable design with playgrounds and themed gardens across all levels. The landscape is enriched by ~50 trees with consideration of the land use and location, along with lushly planted peripheral fences and green walls.
Spanning 19,600 square meters, the campus hosts tailored learning environments for kindergarten, primary and secondary students. Facilities such as a 300-seat auditorium, gymnasium, canteen and swimming pool are integrated into the green landscape.
#Nature+inAction
The city’s first Urban Nano Forest comprising 22 native trees and 34 flora species in just 589 sqm, most of which were semi-mature at planting
48 native trees are planted across the school grounds, including 20 large canopy trees that contribute to natural shading and improved air quality
20% green ratio through integrated landscape and architectural design, where quality greenery is woven throughout the built environment
What makes this project nature-positive?
- Hong Kong’s first Urban Nano Forest introduces native greenery in a compact space, enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem value
- Smart, ecologically-informed landscape design balances sustainability and functionality
- Interconnected landscape elements create ecological and visual links with the campus including a feature landscape staircase
Our Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Design Principles in action
Foundation 1: Maximizing Structural Diversity (Physical Complexity) of an Ecosystem
FIS demonstrates a multi-scale approach to structural diversity, enhancing ecological complexity from macro to micro levels. At the macro scale, it acts as a vital ecological node within the urban fabric of Tseung Kwan O, showcasing how individual plots can integrate with surrounding open spaces and landscape networks to strengthen urban ecological connectivity.
At the meso scale, the design incorporates a rich mix of ecological features — such as a nano forest, urban farm, vertical greenery and activity lawns with varied topography. These elements provide recreational value while supporting a biodiverse habitat for local fauna.
At the micro scale, the detailing within the nano forest adds surface complexity through varied materials like natural timber planks, gravel and granite paving. Seating made from naturally cut stone further emphasizes the use of raw, textural elements, reinforcing the ecosystem’s physical richness.
Foundation 2: Delivering symbiotic built and natural environments
The campus showcases how built and natural environments can work in harmony to benefit both people and ecology. Green roofs, lawns and an educational garden support seasonal planting and urban farming, embedding sustainability into the school curriculum while creating a resilient and pleasant environment for students and staff. The landscape design also prioritizes natural shading, fostering a comfortable microclimate and improving air quality, especially in key areas like the native garden and kindergarten play zone.
Additionally, the landscape emphasizes ecotones that blend the school and its green spaces within a dense urban setting. These interfaces enhance ecological connectivity and provide visual interest in the Tseung Kwan O new town.
Foundation 3: Embedding resilience functions
FIS landscape is designed to embed multiple layers of resilience: nature, climate and socio-economic. Its ecological strategy enhances local biodiversity and supports essential ecosystem services, contributing to the reversal of nature loss in urban environments.
Landscape features such as the Nano Forest play a vital role in climate resilience, providing a cooling effect for students and staff while acting as a natural carbon sequestration system. Socially and educationally, the Nano Forest also serves as a symbol of environmental awareness — functioning as a living laboratory that aligns with the school curriculum and encourages students to actively engage with climate and biodiversity issues.
At this campus, architecture harmoniously intertwines with landscape design, creating a captivating union between built form and nature. This integration amplifies the transformative power of green spaces, enriching both the environment and the learning experience.
Learn more from our nature-positive experts
Design Principles for High-performance Ecosystems
This document discusses how to plan and design high-performance ecosystems. By enabling high-performance, we can enhance the environmental benefits of all projects, whether they involve infrastructure systems in urban centers or natural habitats in the hinterlands.
The Natural Capital Manifesto
The Natural Capital Manifesto, inspired by AECOM’s recent project in Bintan, highlights the need for ‘nature-positive’ corporate goals and stresses the importance of data monitoring and natural capital quantification for sustainable opportunities.
Press release
AECOM supports CEDD and AFCD of HKSAR Government in launching Hong Kong’s first comprehensive nature-based solutions guidelines.