Teaching kit for Senior Secondary School Curriculum Visit: Introduction to Architecture Central [Teacher notes] Organizer Sponsor Research Team 1 Contents Preamble Teaching plan i Visit: Central 1.1 Itinerary 01 1.2 Introduction - Central 03 1.2.1 Background Information of Central 03 1.2.2 Different Architectural Styles in Central 04 | Field Trip 1.2.3 Structures of Tall Buildings in Central 04 1.3 Checkpoints Visit: Central Visit: 1 City hall 06 2 Statue Square 08 3 Old Supreme Court (Former Legislative Council Building) 09 4 HSBC Headquarters 11 5 Cheung Kong Center 13 6 Bank of China Tower 14 7 Murray Building 16 8 Government Hill 17 9 Fringe Club 19 Summary, Key words and Further reading 20 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 Visit: Central Major teaching areas Liberal Studies : Module 2 Hong Kong Today • Theme 1: Quality of life • Theme 3: Identity Visual Arts : Visual Arts Appreciation and Criticism in Context • Formal knowledge • Modes of presentation • Knowledge in context Physics : Chapter II Force and Motion • Values and Attitudes | Field Trip • STSE connections Physics : Chapter VIII Energy and Use of Energy Visit: Central Visit: • Energy efficiency in building and transportation • Values and Attitudes • STSE connections Learning objectives • To appreciate the architecture from various angles from different disciplines • To identify political, financial and social impacts on the form of architecture, and in reverse how architecture shows the past and the present of Hong Kong • Be aware of the relationship of the historical backgrounds and architectural styles of different buildings. • To experience the various form of architectural structure of different times in 1:1 scale and in the city context Teaching plan Lesson Contents Field Trip • Planned itinerary for the field trip Central • Background Information of Central • Architectural styles and structural system of skyscrapers • Background information of various buildings • On-site exercise i 1.1 Itinerary 1 Assemble point (City Hall Lobby) Field Trip | Field Trip 2 3 Visit: Central Visit: 4 9 Dismissal point 5 (Fringe Club) 8 6 7 Pre-trip Introduction (20 min) • Background 1: Background history and development of Central • Background 2: Architectural styles of buildings in Central • Background 3: Major structural system of skyscrapers in Central Field Trip (approximately 3 hours) 20min 15 min 15min 15 min 15min 15min 15 min 20min 15 min 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 City Statue Old HSBC Cheung Kong Bank of Murray Government Fringe Club Hall Square Supreme Court Headquarters Centre China Building Hill 01 Proposed Route Introductory to Architecture—Central Points of interest 1. City Hall • Aesthetics of Modernism in Architecture • Geometry in Architecture • Proportion in Architecture 2. Statue Square • Social and cultural use of public spaces • Seafront reclamation 3. Old Supreme Court • Mix of Colonial and Chinese Style (Former Legislative • Globalization — Western/Classical style Council Building) • Importance of the rule of law • Structure of dome and columns 4. HSBC Headquarters • Architecture from the colonial period • International identity of Hong Kong • Globalization — High-tech architecture • Structural beauty Field Trip | Field Trip 5. Cheung Kong Centre • Modern skyscraper • Composite structural system Central Visit: • Load transfer from bearing columns at the perimeter to the central core and to the ground 6. Bank of China Tower • Hi-Tech aesthetics in architecture • Strength of the triangular geometry • Column and cross-bracing structure 7. Murray Building • Modernism architectural style • Composite structural system • Core wall and external reinforced concrete wall • Central core for vertical circulations and mechanic uses • Tube-in-tube structure to resist horizontal force • Sun-shading features incorporated in the building envelope 8. Government Hill • Political and administrative status of the building cluster in the past • Past identity of British colonial government • Conservation and revitalization of historic buildings 9. Fringe Club • Cultural reference in arts • Form in relation with the streets • Symbolism • Historical and cultural influences on architecture 02 1.2 Introduction : Central 1.2.1 Background Information of Central to be city’s major military and administration centre. As the development of the heart of an A wealth of world-class modern and historic architecture international city • Central is also the showcase of some of the best Central, the political and cultural centre pieces of modern architecture. Both the iconic Central has long been the cultural and political centre of modernist architecture and valuable historic Hong Kong since Hong Kong Island was occupied by the buildings have contributed to the development of British in 1841. Globalization has had profound influence Central as one of the most dazzling CBDs in the on this area in terms of the following aspects: Major public world. space Efficient finance and transport hub • As the heart of political administration, living and • Since the early days, the vitality and accessibility trade, a number of public parks were built in Central of Central have always appealed to foreign traders since the 19th century by the colonial government and professionals. It has become a hub of world- • (e.g. The Chater Garden and the Statue Square). class service providers and a coordinator of global economic activities. The heart of politics and administration • The concentration of government offices and Metropolitan lifestyle buildings is an evidence to show Central being the • Central is a melting pot of global cultures where heart of political and administrative centre for the various cuisines, international brands and 5-star past 171 years. hotels can be found, while its open spaces and | Field Trip community facilities help promoting a vibrant and • (e.g. the Government Hill, the Old Supreme Court balanced metropolitan life. and the Central Government Complex at Tamar) Visit: Central Visit: The financial centre • Due to the open economic policy exercised by the former British colonial government, tremendous foreign investment was attracted to Hong Kong. As a famous entrepôt in the world, Central is regarded as the CBD (Central Business District). What is a CBD? A central business district (CBD) is an area of very high As the Central Business District (CBD) land valuation characterized by a high concentration of Historical factors retail businesses, service businesses, offices, theatres, • Central was known as part of Victoria City when and hotels, and by a very high traffic flow. the colony was founded in 1841. It was first chosen (Source: U.S. Census Bureau) © ChvhLR10 - Wikipedia User 03 1.2.2 Different Architectural Styles in Central One can easily identify the architectural style of a building 1 by observing its external appearance as well as its form of space and details of building. 1. Building Materials The choice of building materials is not only affected by aesthetic concerns but also the level of technology at the time of construction, as well as the availability of the material. 2. Technology 2 With the advancement of technology, more building materials have been invented, widening the choices and possibilities of architectural design. The breakthroughs in structural design has helped architects and engineers to invent and explore new forms, followed by the creation of new spatial experience. 3. Cultural and Social Influence 1. The Old Supreme Court is a Neoclassical building The architectural form and the aesthetic appearance fused with Chinese details. are also affected by the culture and social values of 2. HSBC Headquarters, with its innovative structural sys- the time. Even within two close periods or using tem (High-tech architecture). © Loky Field Trip | Field Trip similar techniques, the building form could be very different. 1.2.2 Structures of Tall Buildings in Central Central Visit: 1 2 3 4 1 HSBC Headquarter 2 Cheung Kong Centre 3 Bank of China 4 Murray Building Completion 1986 1999 1990 1969 Height 180 m 283 m 367 m 89 m Storey 47 62 72 25 Architect Norman Foster Cesar Pelli I.M. Pei Former Public Works Department Structure Exoskeleton steel Truss Composite structure: Triangular truss in Composite structure: Core wall and composite steel and Core wall and external composite column reinforced concrete reinforced concrete external frame shear wall 04 Tall buildings are symbolic elements within any city, carrying significant political, social, cultural and even religious meanings. Today cities compete to produce the tallest building in the world as a way of showcasing financial and economic power. Core and Outrigger Structural System • Core wall Outrigger usually located at the centre or side of Transfer building, the reinforced concrete wall, which is Truss the major structural load bearing element • Structural Steel External Frame series of steel column located at the building perimeter, with steel beams connecting the steel columns to core wall • Outrigger huge braced frame, located at each 20-30 Core Wall storeys to enhance the rigidity of external Mega frame Column • Transfer