Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Conservation &
Revitalization of
Historic Buildings
[Teacher notes]
Organizer
Sponsor
Research Team
Preamble
Teaching plan
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08
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1.2.1 Preservation
1.2.2 Maintenance
1.2.4 Reconstruction
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10
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1.2.5 Adaptation
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15
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1.2.3 Restoration
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
Contents
Topic 08
Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings
Interdisciplinary teaching areas
Visual Arts:
Theme 3: Identity
Learning objectives
To learn the definitions of conservation and revitalization
To learn the common methods of building conservation
Teaching plan
Lesson
Lesson 1
Conservation and
revitalization
Contents
1.1 Definitions of conservation and revitalization
Discussion on the importance of conservation
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.
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Lesson 1
Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings
Teaching Tips
More information about Tong Lau
architecture can be found under
Topic 01: Culture in Vernacular
Architecture.
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03
[Discussion]
Read the following information and discuss the outcomes of the 1881 Heritage revitalization project.
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
Status: Declared monument
Year of completion: 1884
Architectural style: Neoclassical
Use: (2009 - Present) Tourist Attraction, hotel and retail shops
Neoclassicism is a movement of
the mid-18 century. Its architecture
employs features similar to Greek
buildings, such as classical orders and
open porches with pediments.
Current situation
Adapted and reused as a hotel, the outer wall is changed
from white and blue colour into cream colour
Dismantled for the widening of Canton Road and restored on Kowloon Park Drive
Wiped out and replaced by a retail complex
Retained
Adapted and reused as a restaurant
24 are kept and 19 transplanted
The Former Marine Police Headquarters Compound before revitalization Curry Tse
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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.
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.
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[Discussion]
4. City Hall is only about 50 years old. Why is it important to preserve such a young and modernlooking 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
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 Queens Pier and Edinburgh Place, it was the first
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 citys 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.
4.
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To conserve existing (sometimes historic) buildings or districts by putting them to good contemporary use. This approach 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
What is revitalization?
Economic Interests
Job opportunities
Business opportunities
New tourism resources
Better use of land resources
Increase in awareness of
cultural heritage
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1. Preservation
3. Restoration
4. Reconstruction
2. Maintenance
5. Adaptation
Change in function
Introduction of new materials
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1.2.1 Preservation
To maintain the fabric of a place in its existing state, preventing deterioration.
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.
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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.
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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
reconstructed in Stanley as part of the Ma Hang Estate development by the Housing Authority.
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.
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[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 connection 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.
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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.
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 Engineers
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 multifunctional, including a 300 - seat auditorium and stage.
p Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre,
adaptive re-use of the Shek Kip Mei
Factory Estate
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[Discussion]
1.
Discuss the possible pros and cons, constraints and effects of each method.
Cons
Less flexibility: it may be more
difficult to accommodate future
development since the buildings
existing state has to be preserved.
Maintenance
Restoration
Adaptation
Preservation
Pros
Building form as it has evolved over
time can be retained.
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.
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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.
Key words
Further reading
1.
Commissioner for Heritage. Conserve and Revitalise Hong Kong Heritage. 2008.
<http://www.heritage.gov.hk/en/index.htm>.
2.
Hong Kong. Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Antiquities and Monuments Office. 2004.
<http://www.amo.gov.hk/en/main.php>.
3.
The Burra Charter: The Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places of Cultural Significance. Burwood, Vic.: Australia ICOMOS, 1999. <http://australia.icomos.org/wp-content/uploads/BURRA_CHARTER.pdf>.
4.
5.
Stubbs, John H., and Gunzburger Makas, Emily. Architectural Conservation in Europe and the Americas:
National Experiences and Practice. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2011.
6.
South China Morning Post. Error Nets HK$1.5b Bonus for Developer. SCMP.com. , 23 Nov. 2010.
<http://topics.scmp.com/news/hk-news-watch/article/Error-nets-HK15b-bonus-for-developer>.
7.
2 0 1 1
8.
Pa c e Pu bl i s h i n g L t d 1 9 9 8
9.
Conservation
Revitalization
Preservation
Maintenance
Restoration
Reconstruction
Adaptation
1 0. 2 0 1 0
http://www.gnci.org.hk/liberalstudies/the-burra-charter.html
1 1.
2261 201 2 3
http://www2.mingpaoweekly.com/contents/?id=18140&page=1
Organizer
Sponsor
Research Team
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Class Activity :
Role Play
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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):
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
Life begins to change for the tenants, residents and business owners in this building
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1.
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:
Year of construction:
Current use:
To be completed by students
Proposed use:
Location:
To be completed by students
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2.
Teaching Tips
Teachers are advised to choose some of the
roles that are most suitable for discussion.
MY PROFILE
Name
Age
Occupation
My relationship with the building:
To be completed by students
Primary concern(s):
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3. Brainstorming...
Each student should put himself/herself into the roles shoes and write down his/her concerns
and suggestions:
To be completed by students
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?
Remarks
*1=lowest 5=highest
Historic interest
Architectural merit
Rarity
Group value
(buildings in context)
Authenticity
(retaining original
features)
4.
To be2 completed
by 5students
3
4
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5.
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.
To be completed by students
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