Development of Conservation and Revitalization of Vernacular Architecture and Streetscapes in Old Districts of Hong Kong

Liang Yihua; Zheng Hong

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1000-0232.2015.01.014

Abstract：aBsTRacT In the early 20th century, British government implemented a set of pioneering“Buildings and Public Health Ordinance”for Hong Kong under her administration By the introduction of the then most advanced structural and health standard from England, and the integration with the Chinese living pattern and Lingnan construction craftsmanship, a characterized architecture known as“Tong Lau”was evolved, and became the main vernacular typology for pre-war Chinese in Hong Kong. Study of vernacular architecture in China has been focused on buildings in traditional villages and townships, and thus early 20th century urban dwellings in Hong Kong of seemingly unattractive appearance and craftsmanship were seldom included. However, through the analysis of its background and design, Tong Laus are actual y found to be pioneers that integrated the cultural concepts of Chinese Western urban vernacular dwel ings. Moreover, by studying the values and characters of Tong Lau, this article explores ways to conserve and present its characters, in order to il ustrate such critical architectural historic phase, and hopeful y to supplement the research gap in near-modern vernacular architecture of China. This article also studies several recent year cases of adaptive re-uses of Tong Lau in Hong Kong, thereby exploring new approaches for sustainable development of Chinese near-modern urban vernacular architecture.