Arts Teaching Kit for Senior Secondary Curriculum Visit: Central Architectural Forms in Different Time Periods [Teacher notes] Organizer Sponsor Research Team Contents Preamble Teaching plan i Arts | Visit: Central — Architectural forms in different time periods Periods Time in Different Forms Central — Architectural Visit: 1.1 Itinerary 01 1.2 Background information: Central 03 1.3 Identifying different architectural styles 04 1.4 Checkpoints 05 1 City Hall 05 2 Old Supreme Court (Former Legislative Council Building) 08 3 HSBC Main Building 11 4 Bank of China Tower 13 5 The Old Dairy Farm Depot South Block (Fringe Club) 15 6 Duddell Street steps & gas lamps 16 Appendix: Western architectural styles 17 Summary, Key words and Further reading 18 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, the Communication and Technology Branch of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, Create Hong Kong, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee. Topic 09 Visit: Central — Architectural Forms in Different Time Periods Major teaching areas Interdisciplinary teaching areas Visual Arts Design and Applied Technology Visual Arts Appreciation and Criticism in Context • Strand 3 Value and Impact • Formal knowledge Liberal Studies Modes of presentation • • M2 Hong Kong Today Arts | • Knowledge of history and ways of seeing Visit: Central — Architectural Forms in Different Time Periods Time in Different Forms Central — Architectural Visit: • Knowledge in context Learning objectives • Be aware of the relationship of the historical backgrounds and architectural styles of different buildings. • Understand the functions in each building and the effort put to retain the structure throughout different times. Teaching plan Lesson Contents Field Trip • Planned itinerary for the field trip Central • Historical background of Central • Architectural styles • Background information of various buildings • On-site exercise i 1.1 Itinerary Arts | Visit: Central — Architectural Forms in Different Time Periods Time in Different Forms Central — Architectural Visit: 1 2 5 6 3 4 Pre-Trip Introduction (20 min) • Background information of Central and architectural styles • Objectives and introduction of on-site exercises • Planned route Field Trip (approximately 2 hours) 20 min 15 min 15 min 10 min 10 min 10 min 1 2 3 4 5 6 City Hall Old Supreme Court (For- HSBC Main Building Bank of China The Old Dairy Duddell Street steps & (Foyer) mer Legislative Council Tower Farm Depot South gas lamps Building) Block(Fringe Club) 01 Proposed Route Arts — Architectural Forms in Different Times Points of Interest 1. City Hall • Aesthetics of Modernism in Architecture • Geometry in Architecture • Proportion in Architecture 2. • Aesthetics of Classical Architecture Old Supreme Court • Mix of Colonial and Chinese Style (Former Legislative • Proportion in Architecture Council Building) Arts | Visit: Central — Architectural Forms in Different Time Periods Time in Different Forms Central — Architectural Visit: 3. • Hi-Tech aesthetics in architecture HSBC Headquarters • Structure expressionism • Prefabricated of building components • Geometry in architecture 4. • Hi-Tech aesthetics in architecture Bank of China Tower • Structure expressionism • Geometry in architecture 5. • Cultural reference in arts The Old Dairy Farm • Form in relation with the streets Depot (Fringe Club) • Symbolism • Historical and cultural influences on architecture 6. • Cultural reference in arts Duddell Street Steps • Aesthetics in context & Gas Lamps • Historical and cultural influences on architecture • Evolution of Craft and Design • Local materials 02 1.2 Background Information: Central Arts | © ChvhLR10 - Wikipedia User Visit: Central — Architectural Forms in Different Time Periods Time in Different Forms Central — Architectural Visit: Central - the development of the heart of an international city Central, the political and cultural centre Central has long been the cultural and political centre of Hong Kong since Hong Kong Island was occupied by the British in 1841. Globalization has had profound influence on this area in terms of the following aspects: Major public space The financial centre As the heart of political administration, living and trade, a Due to the open economic policy exercised by the number of public parks were built in Central since the 19th former British colonial government, tremendous foreign century by the colonial government. The current Chater investment was attracted to Hong Kong. As a famous Garden was the former cricket ground for the British, entrepôt in the world, Central is regarded as the CBD while the Statue Square was once a place for political (Central Business District) with a large number of office and military parade. These parks have now become towers which facilitates trade and communication. Iconic popular grounds for leisure activities as well as public buildings have been erected, symbolizing the financial demonstrations. powers behind. These buildings are mostly in western or modern architectural style, making Hong Kong one of the The heart of politics and administration most distinctive metropolis in the world. The concentration of government offices and buildings is The increasing global financial and commercial trade has an evidence to show Central being the heart of political led to the blooming infrastructural development in Hong and administrative centre for the past 171 years. The Kong, especially in Central. Both inter- and intra-city building cluster on the Government Hill and its central axis transportation networks are located in Central for easy pointing straight towards the Victoria Harbour is a display accessibility. of the former colonial government’s authority over the city. Important government buildings such as the Government The following modes of transport or network can be found House, the Central Government Offices, the Former French in Central: Mission Building and the Old Supreme Court have created Intra-district: Central elevated walkway system, Mid-Levels a closely articulated setting which helped ensure the escalator system government’s effective controls over colonial politics and Intra-city: MTR, ferry, bus, tram, minibus administration. Inter-city: Airport Express (Hong Kong Station to Hong Kong The significance of the Anglican Church for the British is International Airport) manifested by the location of St. John’s Cathedral on the Government Hill, a political centre. The Central Elevated Walkway（中區行人天橋）is an After the handover of the sovereignty of Hong Kong in extensive network of escalators and footbridges in 1997, the political significance has been shifting away Central and Western district. The walkway provides from the Government Hill. In 2012, the Central Government an all-weather passage to facilitate pedestrian access Complex at Tamar was officially opened for use. It is between Jardine House, Chater House and the General located right next to the People’s Liberation Army Hong Post Office. This also helps alleviating pressure of Kong Building. vehicle traffic. 03 1.3 Identifying different architectural styles One can easily identify the architectural style of a building The pursuit of technological breakthroughs has reduced by observing its external appearance as well as its form of physical limitations and liberated building structure. space and details of building. Through time, the breakthroughs in structural design has helped architects and engineers to invent and explore new 1. Building Materials forms, followed by the creation of new spatial experience. The choice of building materials is not only affected by aesthetic concerns but also the level of technology at 3. Cultural and Social Influence the time of construction, as well as the availability of Lastly, the architectural form and the aesthetic appearance the material. Natural materials such as stone and wood are not only influenced by the above, but also affected were popular before the invention of concrete and steel. by the culture and social values of the time. Even within For example, most ancient Roman buildings were built in two close periods or using similar techniques, the building stones, especially marble, a material naturally abundant form could be very different. Taking the Old Supreme Court in Italy. However, for many modern cities, concrete, glass (Legislative Council Building) for example, the building Arts | and steel are the more popular materials as it is quicker to is in a colonial style influenced by Western aesthetics. build with these modern materials. However, to better suit the local climate, some details, Periods Time in Different Forms Central — Architectural Visit: such as the Chinese tile roof, are a reflection of Chinese 2. Technology influence. The stone used was granite, a locally available With the advancement of technology, more building material of Hong Kong. materials have been invented, widening the choices and possibilities of architectural design. Steel and sheet glass are commonly used in modern architecture, but they were not as widely used until their mass production was made When identifying the style of a building..