Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
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
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
01
Liberal Studies | Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings
Revitalization of Historic Buildings
Lesson 1 Conservation and
Lesson 1
Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings
Introduction: do you know these historic buildings?
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
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
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.
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 Queens Pier and Edinburgh Place, it was the first
p Hong Kong City Hall, Central p Queens 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?
Government Interests
Public Interests
Revitalization
Local culture and character
Economic Interests
can be retained
Job opportunities
Opportunity to improve existing urban
environment Business opportunities
07
1.2 Methods of Building Conservation
According to the Burra Charter, there are 5 main strategies in conservation:
1. Preservation
3. Restoration
4. Reconstruction
5. Adaptation
Change in function
Introduction of new materials
08
1.2.1 Preservation
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.
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
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.
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..
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).
12
Teaching Tips
More information can refer to Arts
Topic 01: Art and Architecture.
1.2.5 Adaptation
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 multi-
functional, including a 300 - seat auditorium and stage.
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 buildings
existing state has to be preserved.
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
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.: Aus-
tralia ICOMOS, 1999. <http://australia.icomos.org/wp-content/uploads/BURRA_CHARTER.pdf>.
4. Conservation Office. Leisure and Cultural Services Department, 2006.
<http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Conservation/index.htm>.
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. CUP Publishing Ltd. 2005
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
15
16
Liberal Studies | Conservation and Revitalization of Historic Buildings
Class Activity :
Role Play
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
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:
Location:
Current use:
To be completed by students
Proposed use:
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 neighbourhoods sense of
place.
Conservationists (5-8 persons)
MY PROFILE
Name
Age
Occupation
To be completed by students
Primary concern(s):
19
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
Historic interest 1 2 3 4 5
Architectural merit 1 2 3 4 5
Rarity 1 2 3 4 5
Group value
1
To be2 completed
3 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
21