Too cool for school
Libeskind partnered with Hong Kong's Leigh & Orange on the building. As the project's executive architect, L&O's David Stanford was responsible for its execution. "I was involved from the competition right to the end when we handed over," Stanford recalls. "It was the first time we collaborated with an international architect on a local project. The school's board wanted an overseas architect - and a landmark building."
Stanford credits Libeskind with an economical design, trademark flourishes notwithstanding. "The building is not extravagant," he says, adding that inexpensive materials such as concrete were used throughout the exterior and interior of the structure. "After Daniel won over the board with his brilliant presentation, his studio and ours formed a joint venture company. He wanted us to take a leading role in managing the project on a day-to-day basis."
