商業與公眾利益的取捨 Give and take of commercial and communal interest 以人的角度出發/ 私有的特定公共空間不應只是一個換取更多建造面積的工具，而應以第一身的體驗為出發點。現時發展商提供只限於行人走道這個較低層次的功能，他們認為從商業角度來看公共空間有損鄰近商鋪的價值，所以我們難以找到一個舒適而方便的私有公共空間。但只有從第一身的角度去設計公共空間才可將其空間與商業空間連結，為人們提供一個完整的體驗，更能提升其商場的知名度與價值。一個吸引人來和享受的公共空間反而能夠刺激消費，而不是用方法去阻止人們去使用這空間。青衣城二期便是一個成功將商場與公共空間合作的例子。他們將商場的天台改造成5000平方米多層次的綠化空間，人們能夠經過商場來到怡人的綠化區域，享受著開揚的沿岸河景。 香港，這個世界上數一數二擠迫的城市，對每個室外或室內的空間都爭分寸土，卻不忘尋找一點公共空間讓我們好好享受一個下午。城市當然需要發展，但發展商也有他們的社會責任，不只是為換取建造面積而提供公共空間，而真正讓人享受的空間，這是我們的權利去擁有的。 _______________________________________________________ From the angle of user/ The dedicated POPS should be considered as more than a tool to gain extra areas to build more floors but from the angle of the user's experience. Most of the dedicated POPS provided by developers only reached the first layer objective to provide a space for people passing through. They are examined from the commercial angle that public space will affect the economic value of retail stores nearby. Therefore, it is rare to find a dedicated POPS that is pleasant to stay but also easily accessible. However, only when the public space is designed by the angle of user can bind the commercial and public space together to provide a comprehensive experience for customers. It could be possible to foster the reputation and value of the shopping mall. Rather than setting rules to pushing out people away from the public space, welcoming public space can already fascinate people to stay but also consume in the mall potentially. Maritime Square 2 in Tsing Yi is a delightful example that uses its spacious public park as the magnetism binds with its shopping mall. Located at the terraces, people are engaged to access the 5000 sq m stretching park on different levels through the mall to enjoy the view of the habour. As one of the most dense cities in the world, we are fighting for every inch of space we can have inside and in between buildings, but also a public space that we can pause and relax in the busy afternoon. We do need new development. Developers have their social responsibility not only to provide public spaces for their own interest of extra floors to build, but public spaces that people can really enjoy

你對唐樓的印象是甚麼? 🤔What is your impression of Tong Lau? 唐樓與洋樓/ 唐樓，唐樓我們就叫得多，你又知不知道唐樓為何叫做唐樓？其實香港的唐樓出現在1841年英國佔領香港之後。當時香港正值發展農業和漁業，並於太平山開始興建道路和樓房，這些作為華人聚居的建築被稱為唐樓；但又有另一個說法指出其實唐樓這個詞是在1880年代開始出現，唐樓作為在地契條款上與洋樓的區分。當時的洋樓只可以是單一住宅用途和單一住客或租客；而唐樓則可下鋪上居，亦可分拆出租。這也反映了當時兩種不同的社會階級水平，分拆作不同單位大小當然較受相對貧窮的人歡迎。而唐樓可分為四個階段的漸變。 鄰里之間/ 唐樓的出現與設計的改變都反映了當時香港社會的生活寫照，因空間的需求與西方文化的影響加入了「廣州式騎樓」和「藝術裝飾」的元素，唐樓成為香港其中一種最有代表性的建築風格。而因為唐樓容許隔格改動與沒有租客的上限，創造了居民們之間強烈的鄰里關係。各種生活模式微妙地相互重疊與交錯，當然日常生活多少也會嗌霎，但也創造了很多鄰里之間的交流與故事。 _____________________________________________ Tong Lau vs Yeung Lau/ You can find Tong Lau here and there in Hong Kong, but do you know the origin of the name “Tong Lau”? Tong Lau first existed in the period after the United Kingdom occupied Hong Kong in 1841, a time when fishery and agriculture were the primary industries, and people started to construct roads and houses on Victoria Peak. All the houses were built for the settlement of Chinese and thus named as “唐樓Tong Lau”, which is a direct translation from Cantonese as the meaning of Chinese occupied tenement house. However, there is another claim that the term Tong Lau was formed in the 1880s as the clear division between it and ‘’洋樓Yeung Lau‘’, the residential mansions that were usually occupied by Western. Yeung Lau was only allowed for one occupant in one unit and with a single function of residential use. While Tong Lau was allowed for more than one occupant in one unit, and with commercial use at the ground floor; residential use at the upper floor. It reflected the difference of two distinct social classes that the flexible partitioning of Tong Lau was more favourable to those who had financial difficulties to rent multiple shelters. There are a total of four generations of Tong Lau. Street Life/ The presence and evolution of Tong Lau is the reflection of stories of Hong Kong society at different periods.Influenced by the eastern culture of veranda and western culture of “Art Deco”, Tong Lau became one of the typical architectural styles in Hong Kong. Thanks to the flexibility of partitioning and the grant of unlimited tenants, it created the tenacious bonding between neighbours. Illustration by @donfo.lio

中大建築碩士年展 CUHK Master of Architecture Year Show 2021/ 這兩年間，香港人對於建築與城市形態的認知起了不少變化，發現原來商場不只是購物，還能夠展現公民功能；也因疫情不想困在家中，而探索了香港每一個角落。希望《我港》在這個艱難時期，有成功協助到你去更認識香港，與這裡的一事一物建立更深厚的情感。此時此刻，正有一班中大的建築系硯士畢業生密鑼緊鼓，籌備著畢業年展，他們除了要適應不同的新常態，還需面對學校全新制度 - 他們會如何利用建築去回應香港環境的蛻變？ 60個作品，60個對於城市與空間的回應/ 今年的主題是<<共鳴與蛻變>>，畢業生在蛻變之間收集了社會上多元的聲音，透過建築設計找出了人與空間的共鳴。今年一共有60位畢業生，被分配到9個不同的STUDIOS，但與往年截然不同的事，除了展出60個個人作品，同學們更希望以九個STUDIOS作區間 ，明確地帶出9種不同的重要訊息。訊息包括「探討舊區深水埗的貧窮問題」、「新市鎮東涌的未來發展」、「探索大自然與人的關係，香港近郊鄉村的保育」等等...。如不認識何謂STUDIO和THESIS ，可以重溫 @archipodcasthk EP17! 將學術研究帶到專業實踐，甚至乎普及於大眾?/ 今次年展除了展出學生作品外，還會有webinar、sharing session、 和 guided tour。從科學到藝術、人文到自然，建築課題可涉獵的領域十分廣泛。在學習建築的過程中，一篇論文、一棟建築、甚至一件物件都能使我們產生相關範疇的興趣。修讀過建築的你...還記得自己對建築的哪部份最著迷？畢業過後已將它拋諸腦後？有見及此，學生們邀請了 @kongcept852、 @hkarchitecturalhistory、主教山設計提案的Shita Lam 和 @archipodcasthk 建築宅男，希望能讓畢業生們或普羅大眾瞭解到本地建築行業的不同面向，探討如何將學術研究延伸到專業實踐，甚至推廣至社會不同階層的可能性! 建築與香港文化密不可分！ 展覽時間: 25/5 TUE By invitation 26/5 WED 10:00-20:00 27/5 THUR 10:00-20:00 28/5 FRI 10:00-21:00 29/5 SAT 10:00-21:00 30/5 SUN 10:00-17:00 地點: 灣仔香港藝術中心 - 包氏畫廊 Pao Galleries, Hong Kong Art Centre, Wanchai Follow @kongcept852，探索香港文化的一切～ #kongcept #我港 #kongcept_archi #hkarchitecture #cuhk #cuhkarchi #中大建築 #我港建築 #review #presentation #MArch #masterofarchitecture #hongkongculture #hklife

蘊藏在唐樓背後的是未被利用的歷史文化價值🗿 比利時義品公司/ 轉角唐樓與比利時地產公司其實有莫大關係。19世紀的比利時是歐洲工業革命中發展得較蓬勃的國家。有別於其他歐洲大國積極擴展軍事及殖民地，比利時郤側重於資金、工業及學術出口到全世界。這造就了比利時義品公司在香港的出現。比利時義品公司在香港的生意主要在房地產投資、建築設計、施工作業、抵押貸款到物業管理，可算是一條龍服務。公司的總部在布魯塞爾，支部都由比利時人領導，但都需要華人在港管理。而他們的建築師大多來自比利時，不但引入現代摩登主義的設計，還因應香港的地貌與天氣，生產出具香港特色的轉角唐樓。很多轉角唐樓因應香港熱帶天氣而設計露天的走廊，作為室外與室內的緩衝空間。你更可以從圍欄通花找到裝飾藝術的足跡。范威利克出任當時的總負責人，是其中一個具影響力的建築師帶領著裝飾藝術到摩登主義的過渡。 瀕臨絕種/ 唐樓的起源在港島，但轉角唐樓的起源則在九龍。他象徵了當時香港的城市發展，摩登的轉角建築塑造了中產階層的社區。現在香港只剩下九座戰前的轉角唐樓，而青山道301,303號因遲遲未被評為歷史建築，而面臨被清拆的命運。現今被活化保留的轉角唐樓只有改造成中醫學院的雷生春及剛翻新的為群公寓。 的確，要將唐樓的商業價值提高至摩天大樓般是沒有可能的。但如果我們將商業與文化價值去看，活化唐樓群組不但保留社區特色，更可以打造成特色景點，商業與文化價值也能相輔相成。香港，這個地方有著世界級的商業中心，背後其實還有更大的建築資源等待被好好利用。但在經濟效益主導的世道下，究竟我們能否運用建築價值去記錄和分享其年代的故事？ Who is Crédit foncier d'Extrême-Orient (CFEO)/ Corner Tong Lau had a relationship with some of the Belgium developers. In the 19th century, Belgium attained substantial development from industrial revolution. Belgium based companies such as the Crédit foncier d'Extrême-Orient(CFEO) expanded to Hong Kong with Belgian-styles development investment, architectural design, construction work, mortgage service, and property management. Moreover, through localisation, corner Tong Lau was designed in response to the geographical and climate context in HK. Gabriel Van Wylick was the office head in Hong Kong, he was one of the influential architects who led the transition from Art Deco to the modernism age. Endangered/ Tong Lau's emergence was in Hong Kong Island, but Tong Lau first appeared in Kowloon. It emblemed the city development of Hong Kong in a particular period. Even though looking at the significance of Castle Park Road 301-303, it cannot escape from the destiny of demolition that it still has not been graded as a historical building. When we take community and cultural value into consideration, the assembly of different preserved historic buildings can be the hero. It can protect the community's unique character while accelerating the cultural and commercial value of that area. At the age of economic dominance, are there opportunities left for architecture to record n share stories of this city? #archi_kongcept

從四個保育案例看香港古蹟制度的敗處🗿 竟然沒有法律保障歷史建築物!? 皇后碼頭/ 皇后碼頭以現代主義建築形式興建而成，原是皇后像廣場的停泊處，只供香港總督及英國主要官員往返香港時使用。後來改建成皇后碼頭，價值不止是其現代主義建築，還有它作為記錄香港人集體回憶的公共空間。政府以發展為由，竟帶頭將這個一級歷史建築清拆。十三年後，至今仍沒有重建計劃。其實香港的「歷史建築」只有參考作用，沒有法律效力；「法定古蹟」才有法律保障。即使近年政府提出，被評為一級歷史建築能被接納為已列入具高度價值的建築，增加成為法定古蹟機會，但很多歷史建築因私人業權問題難以保育，最後也只能落得清拆下場，例如「同德大押」(grade III) 和「何東花園」(grade I)。 「古蹟辦」被笑稱「估即辦」，考察過程草率了事 皇都戲院/ 皇都戲院已經有六十九年歷史，它作為香港昔日娛樂事業風光年代的證據，也盛載我們的集體回憶。國際保育專業組織 Docomomo International在一六年發出「文物危急警示」促請為它評級為一級歷史建築，但古蹟辦被揭發對戲院的內部改動情況不充分掌握就草率提出將戲院列為三級歷史建築的建議。先不論古蹟辦考察過程透明度之低，其中一位負責評審的學者竟說：「假若漢墓值5分，清代（建築）最多4分，咁皇都幾多分？」(bio有「活現香港」皇都戲院評級爭議懶人包的link)，從這話可看出他們的想法已與現今保育方向脫節。幸好最後古諮會評定它為一級，現時被新世界發展商收購，是首個發展商主動提出的活化項目。 Queen's Pier; No legal protection for historical buildings Built in the form of modernist architecture, its value lies in its use as a public space that records the Hong Kong people’s collective memory. The government demolished this first-class historic building for the new development scheme. In fact, Hong Kong’s "historical buildings" are only for reference and have no legal validity; only "declared monuments" have legal protection. Even though the government has proposed in recent years that historic buildings rated as Grade I can be accepted as buildings of high value which increasing the chance of becoming statutory monuments, many historic buildings are difficult to preserve due to private ownership issues, and they can only be demolished in the end. State Theatre; ‘Antiquities and Monuments Office’ teased as ‘Assumption Making Office’ . The inspection process was regarded as hasty It has a history of 69 years. It serves as evidence of Hong Kong's past entertainment industry and also contains our collective memories as a HKer. Docomomo International, an international conservation professional organization, issued the "Cultural Relics Emergency Warning" in 2016, urging it to be graded as a Grade I historical building. However, the AMO was revealed that it did not fully acknowledge the internal changes to the theatre and rashly proposed to list it as a Grade III historical building. It is currently being purchased by the New World Development and is the first conservation project proposed by the developer.

其實香港古蹟制度是如何運行?🗿 香港古物與古蹟架構/ 「古物及古蹟條例」於一九七六年實施，以確保香港最具價值的文物古蹟得到適當保護。古物諮詢委員會及古物古蹟辦事處於同年相繼成立。［圖3］古物古蹟辦事處的文物保育組由五個小組組成，分別負責考古、 歷史建築、教育及宣傳和技術及顧問，以及策劃及管理方面的工作職能，他們先為古物古蹟作考察研究，［圖4］再將其建議交給由二十一人組成的古物諮詢委員會作討論和決定「歷史建築」和「法定古蹟」，全員由特首委任，來自超過十個界別。決定「法定古蹟」後會提交給古物事務監督(發展局局長)，最後經特首同意藉憲報公告宣布法定古蹟，由古物古蹟辦事處執行其行政工作。 The Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance was enforced in 1976 to ensure that the best examples of Hong Kong's monuments are under appropriate protection. In the same year, the Antiquities Advisory Board (AAB) and the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) were established. [Pic3]In AMO, there is a Heritage Conservation Unit with five sections: archaeology, historical buildings, education and publicity, technical and advisory, planning and management. They first conduct research on antiquities and historic sites, and then submit their recommendations to the AAB, [Pic4]which is composed of 21 people for discussion and decision on "historical buildings" and "declared monuments”. All 21 members are all appointed by the chief executive and come from more than 10 industries and professions. After the decision is made, it will be submitted to the Antiquities Authority (Secretary for Development), and the Chief Executive will announce the official monuments through a gazette announcement, which will be implemented by the AMO. #我港 #kongcept #archi_kongcept #hkconservation