Internationalisation: Public Buildings in Central by ARCH2058

INTERNATIONALISATION:

CENTRAL

中環

ARCH2058 Modern Architecture ASSIGNMENT 3: GUIDEBOOK

| Fall 2021

Internationalisation: Public Buildings in Central Chan Wilson (3035821685) Mo Ka Wing (3035798981)

INTRODUCTION

Central is a district of Hong Kong Island. The area is the city’s political, administrative, and financial core, as well as the location of Victoria Peak. There are loads of fantastic architectures in the district and the demand for high-end structures was concentrated around Central. The skyscrapers of Central make up the skyline along the Victoria Harbour waterfront, a popular tourist destination in Hong Kong. The international city is composed with countless modernism, postmodernism and functionalism architectures. Especially around the government hill, there are various public buidlings that represents the inclusion of architectural styles in Hong Kong, ranging from the three wings of the Central Government Offices and The Murray to the St. Joseph Church. In this tour, we will walk through all the above site one by one.

1 CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES WEST WING The Central Government West Wing is located at 11 Ice House Street. It was completed in 1959. The West Wing at the Lower Albert Road level underwent a major transformation in 1998. In 2020, the government has proposed to demolish the West Wing while community groups are proposing to protect the historic site. Due to the historical value of the building, the redeveloping plan was pulled off. Presently, it is the main offices of Civil Service Bureau, Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, Economic Development Bureau and Housing, Planning and Lands Bureau. The public majorly believe that the west wing has the lowest historical and architectural value among the three wings.

Strong, replicating openings

Cantilevered cafeteria and balcony

2 THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT MAIN WING The Central Government Main Wing is the Justice Place of Hong Kong and was formerly the housing offices of the Chief Executive. It is located at 18 Lower Albert Road and was completed in 1956. A new Annexe was added to the Main Wing in 1989 to extend the floor area and usable space of the building. Currently, it is the home of the Constitutional Affairs Bureau, Security Bureau and Chief Executive office. Besides, it is also the site of most major protests against the Hong Kong Government. In order to keep protesters who have not applied from entering the complex, a series of fences was set in 1998. The Main Wing is the best piece of architecture with special attention given to detail and architectural style.

3 THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EAST WING The Central Government East Wing is the Justice Place and Security Bureau of Hong Kong. It was completed in 1954 and is the oldest building among the three wings of the Central Government Complex. It is located at 20 Lower Albert Road and next to the famous St. John’s Cathedral and The Murray.

Geometric window frame

Metal gauze for security

4 MURRAY BUILDING The Murray is a luxurious hotel located along Cotton Tree Drive. It was designed by the Public Works Department and completed in 1969. It originally served for offices of the government but in 2011, it was auctioned to be transformed into a hotel designed by Foster and Partners. The Murray Building is a luxury 336-room hotel with panoramic views of The Peak and the gardens to the south and stunning uninterrupted harbour views to the north. This major transformation of the listed building aims to reinvent this abandoned urban quarter – stitching together the urban fabric by linking the large green spaces flanking the site to the east and west. The 25-storey tower is characterised by the distinctive pattern of its white façade, which is made up of a grid of square windows.

Angled openings to avoid direct sunlight

5 ST. JOSEPH CHURCH The St. Joseph Church is a Catholic Church located along the Garden Road. St. Joseph’s Church was established by Rev. Timoleon Raimondi, the last prefect and the First Vicar Apostolic. The construction of the church was attributed to the dedication and efforts of many parties, including the Hong Kong Government, local Christian communities as well as the Jewish agencies. It was completed in 1871 and was rebuilt in 1876 after a destruction by a severe typhoon in 1874. Given its prime location in the Central district and well served by the major road network, as well as in close proximity to the Botanical Garden and key government administration offices, St Joseph Church enjoys a strategic geographical location second to none.

Cross-shaped windows Curved shades

Oval windowsills

GOVERNMENT HILLServing the people Wilson, Chan Introduction Central has long been the business and politic centre of Hong Kong since the British first arrived at the fishing village. Government Hill was strategically chosen in 1841 for the site’s superb view of the harbour for military purpose and to exert a dominant presence of power over the city. [1] It was designated as the political, administrative, and religious centre with the Governor’s residence, government offices and the cathedral. In its life of over 170 years, the government hill lived through many major changes at site, and the areas around. It has become a unique heritage precinct. [7]

When the government proposed to demolish one part of the Central Government Offices in 2012, citing “the West Wing is so pared down in design that it is really too utilitarian to be considered an important piece of architecture” [2] in the government appraisal, they faced a huge public and international backlash which then proposal was ultimately abandoned. This research essay is going to investigate the significance of this historic area and to evaluate the role of public architecture. An Oasis in the city While skyscrapers sprung up from the international financial centre rapidly, such as the HSBC building and the Bank of China Tower, Government hill remained an area of low rise building with green open space. The Zoological and Botanical Gardens has long existed since 1871 in the east end of the Hill. [3] Hong Kong Park was completed in 1991 to the west end. The two parks comprise over 13 hectares of green space, which are described as one of the “green lungs” in the city.

From colonialism to internationalism From the established St John’s cathedral and Murray barracks in neoclassical and typical colonial architectural style, the Government Hill went though many renovations. The colonial first generation government offices and the barracks made way for the international styled Central Government Offices (CGO) in 1959 and Murray Building in 1969 designed by the Public Work Department. Both buildings are very functional buildings designed in order to house numerous government departments. The two buildings also require a good degree of flexibility and adaptability. The buildings are plain and simple but by no means they are not carefully designed. Good public architecture can improve citizens’ morale and the sense of belonging. Richard Dattner has set out some elements of the goals of public architecture. [6] A good public building must present a modest monumentality and moderate in scale. [6] The CGO has a linear profile and plan

where the three wings of the compound interact with each other. St Joseph’s Church, compared with the Cathedral is very modest and down to the public. It has the ordinary scale and massing as to bring the religious idea closer to the ordinary people. The building must have the noble aspiration to preserve and enhance public life. [6] The international style is less exertive when compared to the colonial architecture such as the Court of Final Appeal. Although it is important to show strength and power, the government brought itself closer to the public with the new international styled public buildings, other example being the City Hall and Post office at Central Harbourfront at the time. It was perhaps a way to express the aspiration of establishing a peaceful and fair society after the Second World War. [5] The Central Government Offices being the face of the people-orientated government. Modernist public buildings in Hong Kong had effectively striped off the ideology-orientated el-

ement in colonialism architecture and also in Chinese architecture in comparation. These buildings are white canvases for a diverse society with different race and ideologies. Public architecture must set a special example by being efficient, long lasting and energy conserving. [6] The reason for the modernist government buildings was perhaps the lack of financial support and the poor economy. The government had to limit the expenditure of the taxpayers’ money. The international modernist principle highly satisfies this demand which we also see in the business and private sector. These functional, pragmatic, and economical buildings were go-to for any construction projects. In many modern architectures in Hong Kong, exterior shades are often added to shield the building from the heat of the sun. Murray Building took a step further, or actually a step back, in the façade. The openings are at 45 degrees to the building surface to avoid direct sunlight into the building. The white building

surface then softly reflects the natural light into the offices. The adaptation of modernist public building in the heart of the city is followed in new towns across Hong Kong. It must have contextuality, it should respect and express the natural topography. It must also offer inclusiveness and accessibility. [6] This is seen in the huge level difference at the Ice House Street and Lower Albert Road for the West Wing of the CGO. The West Wing ended up having two entrances at both streets with 13 storey height difference [2]. The West Wing was building along the steep slope along Battery Lane and the close contour lines. The design also connects the two streets, previously unrelated and at different levels with the lifts in the buildings. It was an innovated design and construction method in which as adopted to many other sites in Hong Kong with hilly conditions. It must educate. [6] “We shape our buildings, and then they shape us,” as Winston Church-

ill expressed the didactic dimension of architecture in one of his speeches. At St Joseph’s Church has an appearance like a ship as reference to the church’s mission as a barge to salvation. [8] The church also incorporated a relief sculpture of St. Joseph in the middle “carrying a saw in his drooping left hand”. Construction technology The modern government offices aim to provide a “modern working environment in modern time” for civil servants. Before the constructions of the government offices, workers had to work in cramped rented office scattered in the city without air-conditioning. That is undesirable especially in the subtropical climate in Hong Kong. The government then decided to make the new offices fully air-conditioned with the Central Government Office being the first government building to be totally air-conditioned. This shows the government’s willingness to improve staff welfare and working conditions.

Conclusion For over 170 years, the Government Hill has been performing the basic tasks of public architecture, including its social service functions and its roles as a “collective symbol and a reflection of the citizen’s and colonial government’s desires, expectations and dignities”. [5] It contains huge historical and architectural significance in the History of Hong Kong, and the people of Hong Kong.

Bibliography

1. Griffiths, D. A. “A Garden on the Edge of China: Hong Kong, 1848.” Garden History 16, no. 2 (1988): 189–98. https://doi.org/10.2307/1586970. 2. Purcell Miller Tritton LLP. Central Government Offices, Historic and Architectural Appraisal. 2009 3. Nicolson, Ken. Landscapes Lost and Found: Appreciating Hong Kong’s Heritage Cultural Landscapes. 1st ed. Hong Kong University Press, 2016. http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1d4tzhh. 4. Evans, Dafydd Emrys. “JARDINE, MATHESON & CO.’S FIRST SITE IN HONG KONG.” Journal of the Hong Kong Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society 8 (1968): 149–53. http://www.jstor.org/stable/23885259. 5. Xue, Charlie Q. L. Hong Kong Architecture 1945-2015. Singapore: Springer Singapore Pte. Limited, 2016. 6. Dattner, R. (1995). Civil architecture: The new infrastructure. New York: McGraw-Hill. 7. International Scientific Committee on 20th Century Heritage. “Hong Kong: West Wing of Central Government Offices Threatened with Demolition”. 2012 8. Architectural style. Accessed December 20, 2021. https:// www.catholicheritage.org.hk/en/catholic_building/st_ joseph_s_church_garden_road/architecture/index.html.

DEVELOPEMENT OF GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS IN CENTRAL KA WING, MO

Central is the central business district of Hong Kong. It lies on the north coast of Hong Kong Island, across Victoria Harbour from Tsim Sha Tsui, the southernmost tip of the Kowloon Peninsula, in the Central and Western District. Although the term “Victoria City” is rarely used nowadays, the neighborhood was formerly the hub of Victoria City. Many global financial services businesses have their headquarters in this region, which is Hong Kong’s major business district. Many nations’ consulates general and consulates, as well as Government Hill, the government’s headquarters, are all located in this region. Because of its closeness to Victoria Harbour, the city has been a hub of

commerce and financial activity since the British colonial rule began in 18411, and it has continued to thrive and serve as the administrative center since China’s handover in 19972. Apart from countless skyscrapers, ranging from Bank Of China Building, The Center and Cheung Kong Center to Central Plaza locating there, Central is also the core of the Hong Kong Government. Most of the vital government buildings are located in Central, including the Central Government Complex at Tamar, Legislative Council Complex and the Former Central Government Offices (CGO) at the Government Hill. The Government Hill is bordered on the south by Upper Albert Road, on the north by Queen’s Road Central, on the east by Garden Road, and on the west by Glenealy. The hill has functioned as Hong Kong’s administrative hub since the surrender of sovereignty, dating back to the early days of British colonial rule3. The Government House, which func-

tioned as the residence of the chief executive and colonial governor, as well as the Former CGO comprised a large portion of the hill. The Former Central Government Offices Government Headquarters, presently known as Justice Place, is a complex of office buildings that held the majority of Hong Kong’s government’s principal offices in the past. The facility is located on Government Hill’s lower level. The government’s offices have been relocated to the Tamar’s Main Block of the Central Government Complex. The history of the complex may be traced all the way back to 18474. The Old Secretariat Building served as the home of numerous Hong Kong government departments from 1847 until 1954 and home to the territory’s Legislative Council from the 1930s to 1954 as well. The two-story colonial building was demolished in 1954 to make way for the new CGO5. The building that formerly housed the offices were actually a complex of three wings

with a total of 76,000 square feet (7,100 m2) of offices. The East Wing was finished in 1954, the Main Wing and Legislative Council Chamber were built in 1956, and the West Wing was completed in 1959. In 1989, after the Legislative Council moved to its current site in 1985, a new Annexe was erected to the Main Wing6. In 1998, the Lower Albert Road level of the West Wing received a significant reconstruction. The following part will be some of the significant features in landscape and architectural aspects of the CGO. To begin with, the CGO is significant for its physical position, which is near some of Hong Kong’s most important historic buildings as well as some of the city’s most renowned contemporary constructions. It’s also worth noting that the CGO is located in one of the city’s key “green lungs.” The facility and its surrounds are partially open to the public and offer a nice break from the hustle and bustle lives of the city7. On top of that, the low height of the CGO is noteworthy since it was

purposefully built to block the view from Government House. The open area surrounding the CGO is particularly crucial since it allows the structures to be seen from vantage points such as Hong Kong Park and the Peak. The low-rise buildings and surrounding greenery connect CGO to the nearby sites, forming a single huge low-rise and green space. The complex reflects the functionalist architectural style8, which was prominent in the early to mid-twentieth century. The exteriors of the buildings have been modified throughout time, with additional levels and varied finishes. The Main Wing is the most important component of architecture, with special attention to detail, whereas the West Wing is the least significant. Therefore in 2010, the government has proposed a development plan to reconstruct the use the buildings. It received many opinions from the public including the HKIA, HKIE, HKIS, HKIP and HKILA9. Given the political, ecclesiastical, and military significance of Government Hill, any attempt to “break it down” would jeopardize the wholeness of an

important landmark that has been in existence for nearly 150 years10. Besides, Under the redevelopment plan, ownership of “Government Hill” would be given to a private developer. The government had failed to learn from the bitter experiences of the “Comprehensive Development Area” (“CDA”) projects at Cheung Kong Centre and the Former Marine Police Headquarters, and it lacked confidence in its ability to oversee private ventures on the West Wing site11. It is impossible not to emphasize the significance of the CGO’s location on Government Hill, which is surrounded by several historic landmarks. The link between former government activity at this location and nearby historic religious, military, and law and order institutions is both interesting and significant. These historical details aid visitors in understanding how the site has changed through time and how it has always been at the center of Hong Kong’s growth12. All of these aspects are historically significant and may be used to investigate the site’s past so the Government should make all

possible efforts to retain the Government Hill. In architectural aspect, the CGO is architecturally notable as an exceptional example of ‘Functional’ architecture in Hong Kong during the 1950s13. They have, however, undergone significant internal and, to a lesser extent, external changes, and their appearance is no longer as consistent as it was when they were initially constructed. The architectural quality of the three blocks is not similar. The quality of the Central and East Wings is higher than that of the West Wing, which is more utilitarian. The West Wing’s link to the Central Block is limited to the east end of the building, which has been undermined by the subsequent enlargement; however, the group value of these structures, which shows design progress over a short period of time, is significant; however, the West Wing’s link to the Central Block is limited to the east end of the building, which has been undermined by the subsequent enlargement14. The importance of the CGO is important and it may have inspired the de-

sign of later structures. However, City Hall is a superior example of architecture from this time period, and the CGO’s design was neither bold nor creative on a global scale. Not only the former CGO complex has a redeveloped history and transformed into nowadays’ usage, an other gorgeous architecture - The Murray Building, also has a similar background of development. Murray Building, which is located in a great location, was planned by the former Public Works Department and finished in 196915. At the time, this 27-story structure was the highest government structure in the Hong Kong16.When designing the building, challenges were encountered and the goal of the architect Ron Phillips was to keep the sun out of the room so he designed a long-term, energy-saving solution17: he coated the building with angled fins that screened the inside from the sun, reducing the demand for air conditioning. The arches and fins were both realistic reactions to the project’s constraints, but they had the

effect of giving the tower a unique look18. The Murray Building, like City Hall, is forceful but light, a breezy tropical take on modernity. After the government bureaucracies moved to the Central Government Complex, Tamar, the Lands Department auctioned the building for redevelopment into a hotel in December 201119. The windows are recessed and properly placed to escape the intense tropical sunshine in the original structure, which was built in response to Hong Kong’s environment. The design protects the façade while enhancing other structural components and extending the life of the building by incorporating a new purpose that is appropriate for changing municipal demands, giving it a long-term legacy20. The 25-story skyscraper’s white façade, which is made up of a grid of square windows, has a stunning design. The inset bays serve as a modular unit and organizational foundation for the hotel rooms, giving designers a wide range of design options in a fusion of indoor and outside spaces. The top-floor apartments are designed

to create a huge central living space21. The corner rooms provide spectacular dual-aspect views of the bay, peaks, and gardens.

Notes 1.

Nicolson, Ken. “Government Hill.” In Landscapes Lost and Found: Appreciating Hong Kong’s Heritage Cultural Landscapes, 1st ed., 89–100. Hong Kong University Press, 2016. http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1d4tzhh.12. 2. Xue C.Q.L. (2016) Modernism Coming to Town—Government Low-Cost Housing and Public Buildings. In: Hong Kong Architecture 1945-2015. Springer, Singapore. 3. Central Government Offices Complex, December 23, 2016. https://www.heritage.gov.hk/en conserve/centraloffice.htm. 4. Planning and Lands Bureau (30 April 2002). Legislative Council Brief: Use of the Tamar Site for the Development of the Central Government Complex (PDF) (Report). PLB(CR) 21/36 (2001) Pt. 7. Retrieved 16 April 2019. 5. ”Joint venture wins Tamar project”. Information Services Department. 10 January 2008. Archived from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2016. 6. Tamar contract signed Archived April 21, 2008, the Wayback Machine 7. “HKSAR Government Headquarters / Rocco Design Architects”. ArchDaily. 28 February 2014. 8. Http://www.governmenthill.org Archived 12 July, 2011, the Wayback Machine 9. Sing Pao Star Daily, 23 October 2005 No 176, p 50-52 10. Historic and Architectural Appraisal. “Significance of the Central Government Office,” September 2009. https://www. heritage.gov.hk/en/doc/conserve/Chapter3-Significanceofthe CentralGovernmentOffice.pdf. 11. Historic and Architectural Appraisal. “Significance of the Central Government Office,” September 2009. https://www. heritage.gov.hk/en/doc/conserve/Chapter3-Significanceofthe CentralGovernmentOffice.pdf. 12. Historic and Architectural Appraisal. “Significance of the Central Government Office,” September 2009. https://www.

13.

14.

15.

16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21.

heritage.gov.hk/en/doc/conserve/Chapter3-Significanceofthe CentralGovernmentOffice.pdf. Historic and Architectural Appraisal. “Significance of the Central Government Office,” September 2009. https://www. heritage.gov.hk/en/doc/conserve/Chapter3-Significanceofthe CentralGovernmentOffice.pdf. PLANNING DEPARTMENT. “Proposed Redevelopment of West Wing of ... - Pland.gov.hk,” November 2011. https:// www.pland.gov.hk/pland_en/misc/cgo/eng/images_eng/ pdf_paper/pc_report_eng.pdf. Christopher DeWolf. Video, Billy Potts, Christopher Dewolf, Julia Wong, and Ilaria Maria Sala. “New Life for a Modern Landmark: The Murray Building.” Zolima City Magazine, July 21, 2021. https://zolimacitymag.com/new-life-for-a-modernlandmark-the-murray-building/. December 2011 Tender Programme 2011 - 2012 The Lands Department. Retrieved on 9 December 2011. Murray Building Development Bureau, Hong Kong. Retrieved on 9 December 2011. Opinion leaders believe business trumps heritage Archived 2012-04-26 at the Wayback Machine South China Morning Post. Dennis Chong 23 May 2011. Murray Building sale bid sparks transparency call Archived 2011-01-25 at the Wayback Machine The Standard. Patsy Moy. Wednesday, 3 March 2010. Cheng, Raymond (26 June 2017). “Top architect Norman Foster transforms Hong Kong’s colonial-era Murray Building into five-star hotel”. South China Morning Post. www.fosterandpartners.com, Foster + Partners /. “The Murray.” Foster + Partners. https://www.fosterandpartners. com/projects/the-murray/.

Bibliography 1.

Nicolson, Ken. “Government Hill.” In Landscapes Lost and Found: Appreciating Hong Kong’s Heritage Cultural Landscapes, 1st ed., 89–100. Hong Kong University Press, 2016. http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1d4tzhh.12. 2. Xue C.Q.L. (2016) Modernism Coming to Town—Government Low-Cost Housing and Public Buildings. In: Hong Kong Architecture 1945-2015. Springer, Singapore. 3. Central Government Offices Complex, December 23, 2016. https://www.heritage.gov.hk/en conserve/centraloffice.htm. 4. Planning and Lands Bureau (30 April 2002). Legislative Council Brief: Use of the Tamar Site for the Development of the Central Government Complex (PDF) (Report). PLB(CR) 21/36 (2001) Pt. 7. Retrieved 16 April 2019. 5. ”Joint venture wins Tamar project”. Information Services Department. 10 January 2008. Archived from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2016. 6. Tamar contract signed Archived April 21, 2008, the Wayback Machine 7. “HKSAR Government Headquarters / Rocco Design Architects”. ArchDaily. 28 February 2014. 8. Http://www.governmenthill.org Archived 12 July, 2011, the Wayback Machine 9. Sing Pao Star Daily, 23 October 2005 No 176, p 50-52 10. Historic and Architectural Appraisal. “Significance of the Central Government Office,” September 2009. https://www. heritage.gov.hk/en/doc/conserve/Chapter3-SignificanceoftheCentralGovernmentOffice.pdf. 11. PLANNING DEPARTMENT. “Proposed Redevelopment of West Wing of ... - Pland.gov.hk,” November 2011. https:// www.pland.gov.hk/pland_en/misc/cgo/eng/images_eng/ pdf_paper/pc_report_eng.pdf. 12. December 2011 Tender Programme 2011 - 2012 The Lands Department. Retrieved on 9 December 2011.

13. Murray Building Development Bureau, Hong Kong. Retrieved on 9 December 2011. 14. Opinion leaders believe business trumps heritage Archived 2012-04-26 at the Wayback Machine South China Morning Post. Dennis Chong 23 May 2011. 15. Murray Building sale bid sparks transparency call Archived 2011-01-25 at the Wayback Machine The Standard. Patsy Moy. Wednesday, 3 March 2010. 16. Cheng, Raymond (26 June 2017). “Top architect Norman Foster transforms Hong Kong’s colonial-era Murray Building into five-star hotel”. South China Morning Post. 17. www.fosterandpartners.com, Foster + Partners /. “The Murray.” Foster + Partners. https://www.fosterandpartners.com/ projects/the-murray/. 18. Christopher DeWolf. Video, Billy Potts, Christopher Dewolf, Julia Wong, and Ilaria Maria Sala. “New Life for a Modern Landmark: The Murray Building.” Zolima City Magazine, July 21, 2021. https://zolimacitymag.com/new-life-for-a-modernlandmark-the-murray-building/.

The Modern Architecture Guidebook Hong Kong’s built environment represents a unique site of inquiry in the global history of the Modern Movement. The Modern Architecture guidebook series draw from an inter-disciplinary toolkit of knowledge, references, and field studies to understand the processes at work in the built environment. Each walking tour in the series begins with one of the 98 MTR stations in Hong Kong as the meeting point. First opened in 1979, this modernist infrastructure has produced a city rationalized around transportoriented development. Organized around key themes (industrialization, colonization, environment, internationalization, migration, decolonization, counterculture, and globalization), the guidebooks present a critical yet open perspective towards the implications of large-scale modernist schemes on the environment and community.