The marketplace of the future

The new Hong Kong Stock Exchange Connect Hall fully embraces HKEX’s position as the connector between the East and the West. Being the live backdrop of financial news, the Connect Hall has to remain open throughout the renovation. This challenge is addressed by minimizing structural changes and focusing on modular systems with careful selections of surface materials.

As technological advancement shifted the stock exchange from on-floor to off-floor trading, the purpose of the hall has also changed from physical trading to hosting social and financial events. The new design features a theatrical entrance foyer, three new backdrops (the digital wall, the media wall, and the gong wall), a new multi-functional room that used to be the data center, an elegant boardroom, a VIP room, and last but not least, an auditorium with an origami ceiling that integrates advanced technologies.

The new Connect Hall is highly versatile. Its curved walls frame the venue and optimize for high acoustic quality, allowing different events to be held simultaneously. The design also embraces green and sustainable elements. Carpets made from recycled fishing nets are used throughout the space.

The auditorium hosts a series of ceremonies, conferences, and events. An origami ceiling system is designed to optimize acoustic performance while integrating MEPs, advanced lighting and AV systems. Depending on the perspective, the origami ceiling changes from burgundy to navy.

Embracing the socialness of the Connect Hall

The new Connect Hall consists of different areas surrounding the auditorium, connected by curved walls that evolve from timber to navy. The curved walls optimize acoustic performance, allowing different events to be hosted simultaneously. The boardroom and VIP room are transformed into spaces with an elegant interior fitted with advanced AV and video conferencing systems, offering comfort and hospitality to special guests.

Inheriting legacy through the digital

Three new feature walls – “Media Wall”, “Gong Wall”, and “Digital Wall” – are designed to meet different needs.

With more than 20,000 LED pixels embedded between navy wall tiles, the Digital Wall displays different animations, including digitalized Chinese calligraphy by Master Wah Gor – a nod to Hong Kong’s culture and art.

In addition to the Digital Wall, the Media Wall with HKEX’s branding provides a new space for photography and media interviews. A life-size gong sculpture is erected on the Gong Wall for visitors to take photos with.