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Liberal Studies Teaching Kit for Senior Secondary Curriculum Hong Kong Today Conservation & Revitalization of Historic Buildings [Teacher notes]
Organizer Sponsor Research Team Contents Liberal Studies | Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings
Preamble
Teaching plan i Lesson 1: Conservation and Revitalization of Historical Buildings
1.1 What is Conservation? What is Revitalization? 07
1.2 Methods of Building Conservation 08 1.2.1 Preservation 09 1.2.2 Maintenance 09 1.2.3 Restoration 10 1.2.4 Reconstruction 11 1.2.5 Adaptation 13
Summary, Key words and Further reading 15
Class activity: Role Play 16
Disclaimer Create Hong Kong of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. © 2012 Hong Kong Institute of Architects Topic 08 Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings Liberal Studies | Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings Major teaching areas Interdisciplinary teaching areas Liberal Studies: Module 2 Hong Kong Today Visual Arts: • Theme 1: Quality of life • Visual Arts Appreciation and Criticism in context • Theme 2: Rule of law and socio-political participation • Theme 3: Identity Visual Arts Making Design and Applied Technology: Related teaching areas • Strand 3 Value and Impact Liberal Studies: Module 6 Energy Technology and the Environment • Theme 2: The environment and sustainable development
Learning objectives • To learn the definitions of conservation and revitalization • To learn the common methods of building conservation • To evaluate case studies demonstrating how buildings can be preserved • To understand various perspectives and concerns about conservation through activities
Teaching plan Lesson Contents Lesson 1 • 1.1 Definitions of conservation and revitalization Conservation and • Discussion on the importance of conservation revitalization • 1.2 Introduction of 5 main conservation methods • Discussion on pros and cons of each method using local cases Class activity: role play • Discussion on various concerns over conservation through role play • Summary of views raised by students during role play as conclusion of the topic This topic is related to Topic 09: ‘Conservation Policy in Hong Kong‘ and Topic 10: ‘Revitalizing Historic Buildings in Hong Kong‘. i Liberal Studies | Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings
Lesson 1 Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings
01 Lesson 1 Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings
Introduction: do you know these historic buildings? Liberal Studies | Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings
t Kom Tong Hall, Mid-Levels (Sun Yat-sen Museum) - Former residence of Ho Kom Tong and the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Status: declared monument Year of completion: 1894 Architectural style: Edwardian The Edwardian style was popularised in Britain during 1910s. Key features include a rough exterior surface (rustication) on the ground floor and colonnades on upper floors.
t Blue House, Wanchai - Chinese medicine clinic on the ground floor and residential units on upper floors
Status: grade 1 historic building Year of completion: 1920s Architectural style: Balcony-type tong lau
Tong Laus are Hong Kong shop houses. On the ground floor, there is usually a shop, and narrow residential units fill the upper floor.
Teaching Tips More information about Tong Lau architecture can be found under Topic 01: ‘Culture in Vernacular Architecture’. 02 Liberal Studies | Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings
p Tsang Tai Uk, Shatin - Walled village
Status: Grade 1 historic building Year of completion: 1867 Architectural style: Hakka walled village, Guangdong vernacular architecture
Hakka walled village is a subset of Lingnan architecture. The building usually occupies a rectangular lot and is made of green bricks, with wok yee gable wall.
Teaching Tips More information on Walled Village architecture can be found under Topic 01: ‘Culture in Vernacular Architecture’. Further reference can be made under Science Topic 01: Forces in Buildings- A Historical Review u Hong Kong City Hall, Central - Cultural complex including a public library, a concert hall, a theatre, an exhibition hall, marriage registrar, restaurants and offices
Status: Grade 1 historic building Year of completion: 1960s Architectural style: Modernist
In contrast with classical architecture, modernist buildings are asymmetrical in form, with exposed structures. The form of the building is determined by its functions. 03 [Discussion]
Read the following information and discuss the outcomes of the 1881 Heritage revitalization project.
The original main building Liberal Studies | Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings
The Former Marine Police Headquarters Compound before revitalization © Curry Tse p The Former Marine Police Headquarters Compound, Tsim Sha Tsui (now the 1881 Heritage) was converted into a hotel with shops while certain historical features, such as the time ball, tower were retained.
Background information Neoclassicism is a movement of the mid-18 century. Its architecture Status: Declared monument employs features similar to Greek Year of completion: 1884 buildings, such as classical orders and Architectural style: Neoclassical open porches with pediments. Use: (2009 - Present) Tourist Attraction, hotel and retail shops
Major events in the revitalization process: May Flying Snow, a subsidiary of Cheung Kong (Holdings) was awarded the tender for the site on a 50-year land 2003 grant at HK$352.8 million. Dec There were 192 trees on the site. The developer agreed to plant 92 trees to compensate for the 149 lost. To 2003 make way for the widening of Canton Road, a century-old granite retaining wall was demolished. May Cheung Kong unveiled a scheme to convert the former Marine Police headquarters into a hotel and retail 2004 complex. Nov Conservationists found Cheung Kong wiped out the original landscape at the site and transplanted 2006 century-old trees into huge pots. Source: South China Morning Post
Changes of the former Marine Police Headquarters: Part of the site Current situation Main building Adapted and reused as a hotel, the outer wall is changed from white and blue colour into cream colour Granite retaining wall Dismantled for the widening of Canton Road and re- stored on Kowloon Park Drive Tsim Sha Tsui Hill (underneath the Main Building) Wiped out and replaced by a retail complex Signal tower (Time ball tower) Retained Stable Block Adapted and reused as a restaurant 192 trees 24 are kept and 19 transplanted 04 The Burra Charter (1979) originally provided basic principles and procedures to be followed in conservation projects in Australia. Because of its usefulness and practicability, the Antiquities and Monuments Office often refers to the articles in the Burra Charter as guidelines on conserving heritage places.
‘Conservation requires the retention of an appropriate visual setting and other relationships that contribute to the cultural significance of the place. New construction, demolition, intrusions or other changes which would adversely affect the setting or relationships are not appropriate.’ - Article 8, Burra Charter
‘New work such as additions to the place may be acceptable where it does not distort or obscure the cultural significance of the place, or detract from its interpretation and appreciation. New work may be sympathetic if its siting, bulk, form, scale, character, colour, texture and material are similar to the existing fabric, but imitation should be avoided.’ Liberal Studies | Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings - Article 22.1, Burra Charter
1. What were the original functions of 1881 Heritage? Can you guess its original functions from its current form and appearance? 2. A modern shopping mall with classical motifs has been built where Tsim Sha Tsui Hill (underneath the main building) was wiped out. Do you think this is appropriate?
Possible perspectives 1. It was the Marine Police Headquarters from 1881 to 1996. 2. For: It is a successful revitalization project because it converted the site into a cultural and shopping landmark in Hong Kong. This will bring huge economical benefits and stimulate local tourism. Besides, the new setting of the 1881 Heritage is compatibly integrated into the urban area after revitalization.
Against: The revitalization project fails to conserve the historic and cultural significances of the Former Marine Police Headquarters. According to Article 8 of the Burra Charter, Tsim Sha Tsui Hill was a major element reflecting the historic relationship of the site , and it should not have been destroyed. The Headquarters was built there because the elevated landscape had the superiority to monitor and control the harbour. The demolition of the hill is irreversible so it is inappropriate. According to Article 22.1, the mall replacing the hill cannot show the historic significance so it ‘detracts from its interpretation and appreciation’. The proportion of the newly-built mall is larger than the main building, which distorts the appearance of the heritage and detracts from its cultural significance. The mall is also considered to be an imitation of neoclassical architecture, which may confuse the identification of the original heritage and the new building. Furthermore, the new programs of high-class hotel and restaurants make it difficult for the general public to access the site. In short, while attaining touristic and commercial success, 1881 Heritage has some lingering conservation concerns.
05 [Discussion]
4. City Hall is only about 50 years old. Why is it important to preserve such a ‘young’ and modern- looking building? 5. Some historic buildings are/were privately-owned and therefore have little to do with the collective memory of the general public. Should we respect the decision of their owners if they wish to demolish those buildings?
Possible perspectives 4. City Hall is an important landmark on its own and in a larger context of Central, which is a collective
memory of many Hong Kong people. Along with Queen’s Pier and Edinburgh Place, it was the first Liberal Studies | Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings batch of public buildings planned at Central harbourfront after 1950 - reclamation. It was built in modernist style which was prevalent at the time of construction. Moreover, it was the first public venue to host cultural activities for local Chinese and thus has a high social value. 5. This is a controversial issue that is still being discussed. The city’s identity and development are actually largely contributed by the private sector. The fact that some buildings are not usually open to public does not necessarily mean that they do not possess any socio-historical value. Various parties including the government, the private property owners and the public have the responsibility to protect the historical assets of our city. Conflicting interests do occur, but there are also different ways to achieve a win-win situation, which shall be further discussed in class.
p Hong Kong City Hall, Central p Queen’s Pier, Central - The pier in utilitarian style was demolished in 2008 after months of protests in spite of its grade 1 status © Larry Suen
06 1.1 What is conservation? What is revitalization?
What is conservation?
Conservation encompasses all the processes of looking after a place so as to retain its cultural significance. It includes maintenance and according to circumstances may include preservation, restoration, reconstruction and adaption, or even a combination of more than one of these approaches.
(Source: Australia ICOMOS. The Burra Charter: The Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places of Cultural Significance. Burwood: Australia International Council of Monuments and Sites. 1999.)
What is revitalization? Liberal Studies | Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings
To conserve existing (sometimes historic) buildings or districts by putting them to good contemporary use. This ap- proach gives historic buildings and districts a ‘second life’ by reconnecting them with society.
Government Interests
Cultural asset is preserved Creation of new cultural landmarks Public engagement in heritage protection is encouraged
Public Interests Revitalization Economic Interests Local culture and character can be retained Job opportunities Opportunity to improve existing urban environment Business opportunities New cultural resources for public New tourism resources enjoyment and education Better use of land resources Increase in awareness of cultural heritage
07 1.2 Methods of Building Conservation According to the Burra Charter, there are 5 main strategies in conservation:
1. Preservation
• Protective care of fabric and place Liberal Studies | Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings 2. Maintenance
• Continuous protective care of fabric and place
3. Restoration
• Returning to a known earlier state
4. Reconstruction
• Returning to a known earlier state • Introduction of new materials
5. Adaptation
• Change in function • Introduction of new materials
08 1.2.1 Preservation
To maintain the fabric of a place in its existing state, preventing deterioration. Liberal Studies | Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings
p Example: Hong Kong Observatory 1883 Building, 1883 The two-storey brick building is well preserved and is still being used as the administrative office of the Hong Kong Observatory. Both the building and the original function as an observatory are preserved. 1.2.2 Maintenance
The continuous protective care of the fabric and setting of a place. To be distinguished from repairing, which involves restoration or reconstruction.
p Example: Main Building, the University of Hong Kong, 1912 The external façade of the Main Building is a declared monument. Maintenance is carried continuously out to ensure the upkeep of the building. 09 Liberal Studies | Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings
p Example: Kom Tong Hall (Dr. Sun Yat-sen Museum), 1894 Former residence of Ho Kom Tong and later the headquarters of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
1.2.3 Restoration
To return the existing fabric of a place to a known earlier state by removing accretions or by reassembling existing components without the introduction of new materials.
Before the building was opened publicly as Sun Yat Sen Museum, conservators had studied its historical photographs and tried to restore its grandeur. Old stone fireplaces and chandeliers were reinstalled while rusted cast iron balustrades were cleaned and repainted with a protective coating. The existing materials were used whenever possible in the restoration process. For example, broken tiles were replaced with intact, existing tiles from concealed areas. p Restoration artist replacing ceramic tiles. © Architectural Services Department, HKSAR (Above) © Hong Kong Museum of History (Below)
10 1.2.4 Reconstruction
To return a place to a known earlier state. Distinguished from restoration by the introduction of new material into the fabric.
One of the earliest public buildings of Hong Kong and originally part of Murray Barracks in Central, Murray House was taken down in 1982 to make way for the Bank of China Tower at a time when the city experienced rapid economic growth. It was dismantled into 3000 blocks with each piece catalogued and labelled for later reconstruction. In 1990, Murray House was Liberal Studies | Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings reconstructed in Stanley as part of the Ma Hang Estate development by the Housing Authority.
p Example: Murray House, 1846 Former Murray Barracks in Central
Teaching Tips It should be pointed out that reconstruction does not always require demolishing a whole building and reassembling it later, as in the case of Murray House. In other cases, only partial reconstruction is carried out in the original site.
11 Liberal Studies | Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings p Murray House, Central 1982 p Murray House, Stanley © Information Services Department
[Discussion]
Although each part of Murray House was catalogued, some parts including the stone chimneys were still lost during the relocation process. As a result, the chimneys of High Street Mental Hospital, which was also a historic building, were borrowed to replace the loss. Other borrowed parts included a flagpole from the HMS Tamar and stone masonry columns from a Shanghai Street pawn shop.
Please read the following:
‘The physical location of a place is part of its cultural significance. A building, work or other component of a place should remain in its historical location. Relocation is generally unacceptable unless this is the sole practical means of ensuring its survival..’
- Article 8, Burra Charter
1. What social and cultural problems can you think of from the reconstruction and relocation of Murray House?
Possible perspectives • Relocation of site: The context of Central and Stanley are very different. Relocation affects both districts: on one hand, the con- nection between Murray House and Central is lost while it is questionable whether the building should be located in Stanley (as in the context of a western style building is standing near to a Tin Hau Temple).
• Preservation of original architecture: Damage to building parts is inevitable during the dismantling process. Such damage may be unrecoverable. By taking building parts from other buildings including the historic High Street Mental Hospital, damage was also done to another historic building.
12 Teaching Tips More information can refer to Arts Topic 01: ‘Art and Architecture’.
1.2.5 Adaptation
To modify a place to suit the existing use or proposed use.
Adaptation, sometimes known as adaptive reuse, is a method of expanding or extending a building’s social functions by modifying the structure. It may involve changing parts of the building to meet the Liberal Studies | Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings requirements of an existing or proposed use while keeping significant features.
The Yau Ma Tei Theatre was classified as “Grade II Historic Building” which was once the largest cinema in Kowloon. It was built between 1925 and 1931 and is the only remaining pre-war theatre building in Hong Kong. Its dominant architectural style is Neoclassical with Art Deco influence. The Yau Ma Tei Theatre and the nearby Red Brick Building (i.e. the Engineer’s Office of the Former Pumping Station) have been converted into a venue for Cantonese Opera. It is scheduled for completion in 2012. It will be multi- functional, including a 300 - seat auditorium and stage.
p Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre, adaptive re-use of the Shek Kip Mei Factory Estate
p Yau Ma Tei Theatre in 1990 p Theatre after renovation in 2011 © Leisure and Cultural Services Department Art Deco is an artistic design that decorates a building with geometric shapes and gives it a linear symmetrical look. The style usually adds onto a neoclassical or modernist building. 13 [Discussion]
1. Discuss the possible pros and cons, constraints and effects of each method.
Pros Cons Preservation • Building form as it has evolved over • Less flexibility: it may be more time can be retained. difficult to accommodate future development since the building’s existing state has to be preserved.
Maintenance • Stabilises building conditions • Maintenance cannot solve any severe structural problems and it is also Liberal Studies | Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings costly.
Restoration • Restores property to an architecturally • It is common to alter a building ‘pure’ state and therefore is a better according to the owner’s needs. These representation of a particular alterations can also be considered historical era. Cultural value can be part of the building’s history and fully reflected. often reflect the aesthetics of certain periods. To what extent should such alterations be tolerated and preserved? • May require techniques or materials that are lost or hard to find. Technically challenging. Reconstruction • Facilitates interpretation by recreating • New material is introduced. important structures or details Authenticity of the building is lowered.
Adaptation • Building can function as part of a • Changes in structure may have to be society rather than staying as an made. Authenticity of the building is empty ‘sculpture’. lowered.
Teaching Tips Students should understand while these are the most common methods, there are also other conservation strategies. Very often, these methods are combined and customized according to the site specific requirements. 14 Summary 1. Conservation is the process of protecting a place or building so as to retain its cultural significance. 2. Revitalization is to conserve existing (sometimes historic) buildings or districts by putting them to current use. 3. Five methods of building conservation include Preservation, Maintenance, Restoration, Reconstruction and Adaptation.
Key words Conservation Revitalization Preservation Liberal Studies | Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings Maintenance Restoration Reconstruction Adaptation
Further reading 1. Commissioner for Heritage. Conserve and Revitalise Hong Kong Heritage. 2008.
Organizer Sponsor Research Team
15 Liberal Studies | Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings
Class Activity : Role Play
16 Class Activity: Role Play
Suggested flow Pre-class preparation by students: • Identify a nearby building targeted for redevelopment (to be decided by the whole class) • Conduct simple research on the background of the selected building • Each student should play the role of a stakeholder • Brainstorming
Structure of the role play (for reference only): Liberal Studies | Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings • Life begins to change for the tenants, residents and business owners in this building • Development plan is revealed • Various parties voice out their opinions. Some people oppose to the development while some support it as a means to regenerate the area (multiple-perspective thinking) • Antiquities Advisory Board members would hold a meeting to discuss whether the building should be conserved (grading) • Conservationists and residents consult the architects to propose an alternative development strategy (for example, using one or some of the 5 conservation methods) • Secretary for Development, developers and various parties will negotiate the final solution
© kelseyz 17 1. Identify the target of redevelopment The class should identify a historic building or any old buildings nearby which faces the threat of demolition for redevelopment and find out the following information:
Name of the building:
Location: Liberal Studies | Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings Photograph or sketch of chosen building here Year of construction:
Current use: To be completed by students Proposed use:
What else do you notice in the nearby environment?
Is there already a lot of traffic? What are the neighbouring buildings like? What is the relationship between the selected building and the site context? Is there any green space nearby? Do you notice anything special in the area?
To be completed by students
18 2. Pick your own role! Teaching Tips Each student will take up one of the following roles: Teachers are advised to choose some of the roles that are most suitable for discussion. Owners of the property (4-5 persons) Owners of the property are concerned about the market value of their property, and how much they need to pay for the operation and maintenance of his/her building. Tenants (8-10 persons) Tenants worry about if there would be a rise of rental, and if their lives in the building would be disturbed. Developers (3-5 persons) Developers would like to explore the maximum market value of a property. They are interested in commercial exploitation of the property that can generate as much profit as it can. They care about the overall market value of the district as well, in order to plan their potential future investment in the nearby area. Residents of the nearby area (5-7 persons) Residents of the nearby area are concerned about the cost and quality of living in their neighbourhood. They wish to enjoy a variety of merchandise and facilities at low cost, but they also want to preserve their neighbourhood’s sense of place.
Conservationists (5-8 persons) Liberal Studies | Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings The historic, social, cultural and aesthetic values of the property is crucial for conservationists. They hope to maintain and restore the property to its initial stage as much as possible to portray its social significance. Secretary for Development (Antiquity Authority) (1 person) The Secretary for Development (Antiquity Authority) is the final decision maker of the declaration of monuments. He/she collects opinions from all stakeholders and balances their economic, social and archaeological interests. Antiquities Advisory Board members (5 persons) Antiquities Advisory Board members are from different fields of relevant expertise. They give advices to the Secretary for Development (Antiquity Authority) and offer feasible ways of conservation. Architects (2 persons) Architects provides practical and innovative proposals for conservation. They execute and manage the conservation project. Citizens (5-8 persons) Citizens are concerned about the source of funding for the conservation. They are interested in visiting the potential monuments and the story behind the property. *Other characters such as policemen, protesters, legislative or district council members, news reporters etc. can be added depending on the plot.
MY PROFILE
Name Age Occupation
My relationship with the building: To be completed by students Primary concern(s):
19 3. Brainstorming... Each student should put himself/herself into the role’s shoes and write down his/her concerns and suggestions:
To be completed by students Liberal Studies | Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings
4. Grade the building
During the play, students representing the Antiquities Advisory Board should decide whether the selected building should be graded. If you were a board member, how would you grade the building?
*1=lowest 5=highest Remarks
Historic interest 1 2 3 4 5
Architectural merit 1 2 3 4 5
Rarity 1 2 3 4 5
Group value 1To be2 completed3 4 by 5students (buildings in context) Authenticity (retaining original 1 2 3 4 5 features) Social value and local 1 2 3 4 5 interest
Grade (1, 2, 3 or nil) 20 5. Picture of the future How can the building be put into ‘good use’? How can it be developed or conserved in a sustainable way? Is it safe and comfortable by modern standards? Please illustrate your vision with explanatory notes wherever applicable. Liberal Studies | Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings
To be completed by students
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