ARCHITECTURE
TYPOLOGY STUDY PUBLIC HOUSING 2020
Hong Kong Public Housing THE INTRODUCTION For a modern city, there are all kinds of elements. They are everything and a construction in it. They can be a node, a path or a zone. By the combination of the elements, they create a city. The city likes big scale architecture, however, it is not a building. A city is a space that is designed for all people to live, work and perceive. So, the elements are not only static, but dynamic because of human activities. This moving element connects all of the other elements together. Although the activities of each user in this city may not be the same and sustained, it reflects the essences and features of the city generally. Hong Kong is known as an international metropolis. A city full of skyscrapers with excellent transportation hubs. However, in fact, there are more housings than commercial buildings in Hong Kong. Housing is an undeniable character to study Hong Kong architecture. In the typology of housings, public housing is a significant element. It is a representative of this city rather than the gorgeous modern buildings. As the growth of Hong Kong people, there is a transition of public housing. In the process of the transformation, different building forms were generated. They are related to the corresponding social conditions and government plannings. Over 10 types of public housings have been developed as time goes on and the floors are getting higher and higher. From 16 floors in the 1960s to 40 floors in the recent years. Hong Kong was originally a low-density population city without skyscrapers. This book analyzes the variety of building forms and relationship between society and public housing.
Content
The Squatters
Ten-Year Housing Plan
Early 1950s
1960s Late 1950s
Resettlement Area
1970s
Twin Blocks
Long Term Housing Strategy
1980s
1990s
The Standard Buildings
The Future
01
The Squatters CHANGING OF HOUSING PLANNING After the WWII, there was a rapid population increase because an abundance of Hong Kong residents fled back from China. Most of them could not afford the rent of “Tong Lau” and Squatter was started to build in Hong Kong rural areas and suburbs. It plays a major role as its appearance and related events triggered the birth of public housing. Squatter is a type of self-built temporary primitive dwelling by residents of using simple materials, so the buildings are rudimentary. The geographical distributions were in Hong Kong Island and Kowloon during 1950-60s. Due to residents being able to build the houses by themselves, they are self-replicating. The planning of squatters was beyond control and lack of planning so the buildings are close to each other, and also, in fact, the structure and fire safety were undesirable significantly, a fire occured in Shek Kip Mei squatter area in December 1953. This unfortunate accident made the government housing planning change.
1950s
Pok Fu Lam Village in 2016, Photo by Christopher DeWolf Source: When Hong Kong Was A City Of Villages: Squatter Settlements And Their Legacy, March 3, 2017
02
Resettlement Area
THE BASIS OF PUBLIC HOUSING Since the squatter area was totally destroyed by the fire, almost 50,000 people became homeless overnight. In order to resettle a huge amount of victims, the government issued “Resettlement Area” and built it in “H-shape” as temporary housing units with simple forms. The resettlement building model became the first models of Hong Kong public housing. Although it solved the fire safety problems, the security and hygiene situation was harsh, and the living environment was crowded. However, the residents did not mind these problems. They looked forward to living in public housing instead of squatters because of the relationship between the users. Due to the population increasing and demands of citizens, a great quantity of people were moving into the resettlement houses which changed the purpose of it afterwards. The function was not a temporary dwelling but became permanent public housing. The first generation of public houses existed.
1950s
Photo by Hong Kong Instagrammer, yat6seung4gau1ying2
Form
#01
H-Shape & I-Shape Block Six- storey H shape and I shape resettlement blocks were built in 1954, known as the Mark I and the Mark II to rehousing to the homeless families. Each domestic block was divided into two wings and is connected with a bridge, where the communal sanitary and washing facilities were placed.
H-Shape & I-Shape
Early 1950s
The first type of resettlement building, there are no separate toilets, bathrooms, and kitchens, connect the middle floors of the two wings as public bathrooms and toilets. The unit area is about ten to twenty square meters.
H-Shape & I-Shape
Late 1950s
The second type of resettlement building in the late 1950s.Use penetrating bricks to enhance natural ventilation. Some rooms have separate toilets and water outlets.
Area of Public Space
~30%
Interaction Between Neighborhood There’s provide a platform for the neighbors to help each other and talk together. In their free time, neighbors can go to the balcony to chat with people on the near or opposite balcony. And it can help to enhance their relationship. In addition, since there is no independent toilet and kitchen in the resettlement area. Therefore, neighbors on the same floor will gather in the only toilet and kitchen for activities. So, the form of design and the arrangement inside the building allows neighbors to actively communicate with other neighbors. Although the room does not have a separate toilet and kitchen, because of this, the neighbors will gather in one place, work together, help each other, and make the neighborhood harmonium. Moreover, the rooftop of the resettlement area is not just for placing the water tank and a vacant place. The function for the rooftop is placing a school there, and mostly, they are primary schools. The people who live in the resettlement building, their children usually go to the school on the rooftop of the building where they live. Therefore, the relationship between the parents of the students will be good. Because they are not only neighbors, but also parents of the same school. Although the government continued to build additional schools, Rooftop Primary School was gradually eliminated by society and transformed into public facilities such as community centers.
03
Ten-Year Housing Plan CONCEPT OF NEW TOWN In 1965, over 1 million citizens were living in public
housing. The numbers of public housing units were undersupply. In order to provide enough housing units, the Governor, Sir Murray MacLehose announced the “TenYear Housing Plan”. The planning goal was to build sufficient housing units for 1.8 million residents within ten years. To have a possible development, the Hong Kong Housing Authority was established in the following year, and announced “Home Ownership Scheme”, and redevelopment of resettlement buildings. In the “Ten-Year Housing Plan”, the priority of a public housing development in Hong Kong was changed, from focusing on quantity to focusing on quality. The plannings provided enough units number towards the facilities and environment design in each housing estate. It introduced the concept of “New Town”.
1960s
Photo by Hong Kong Instagrammer, yat6seung4gau1ying2
Form
#02
Slab Blocks Government started to convert the Mark I and Mark II resettlement houses to slab blocks in the 1960s. The adjacent blocks were connected and a private kitchen and toilets were put. Lift is accessed on every three floors. The type of public housing is abandoned due to its low efficiency.
Slab Blocks
1960s
The building is 8 or 16 stories high, and the design of the fourth type of relocation building is basically the same as that of the third type. The fourth type of resettlement building has a T-shaped exterior, and it is the first batch of resettlement buildings with independent toilets and showers.
Area of Public Space
~17%
Interaction Between Neighborhood The unit of the buildings starts to contain a toilet and kitchen. Therefore, the scene of neighbors queuing to go to the bathroom and gathering to prepare dinner in the kitchen area changed. They had their own toilet and kitchen at that time. Also, there are lifts in the lobby. Although there is no management office or security, and law and order are not very good, residents formed a patrol team to patrol near the estate. Moreover, the unit area is narrow and small. Therefore, in order to free up more space for activities and ventilation, they often open doors to each other. Sitting in the corridor to chat or enjoy the cool in my free time. And this behavior established good neighbor relations. Also, community facilities have been promoted. There are courtyards and parks between blocks to provide communal space for neighbors to use. Having open space for them to have time to take a rest or chatting with others. Moreover, some outdoor furniture is provided for the neighbors to use.
Interaction Between Families Many families live in low-cost housing units of more than 100 feet. The unit is a single room with no partitions and private rooms. Therefore, it is a free plan for users to have their own layout floor plan. However, they usually just put the furniture inside but not having any partitions because of small spaces. So, the family members usually gather in the remaining area or concentrate in the living room. Also, the unit is not enough space for the users to put 2 to 3 beds. Therefore, most of them are using a “bunk bed” on the upper and lower floors to reduce the space used. Although the room is really small, it is happy and harmonious.
Interaction Between Visitors Choi Hung Estate is an example of a 60s public housing building. The special external wall design of Choi Hung Estate makes it become a check-in hotspot. The most iconic design is the colorful exterior of the housing estate. The thoughtful design earned this village a silver medal from the Hong Kong Institute of Architects in the 1960s. The nine buildings and roads are named after colors. Therefore, the building attracts many visitors to visit the site and take photos with the building. It is a kind of interaction between the visitors and the building and even the neighbors of Choi Hung Estate.
Form
#03
Twin Blocks The buildings were getting taller and taller to fulfil the demand of public housing. Twin tower and twin H blocks can be built up to 27-storey. There is a central void with the two blocks, it enhances air flow. It was built with lift access to every floor and built with a private balcony/ kitchen and a toilet.
Twin Blocks
1970s
The housing area allocation method for resettlement building units was changed. The average area occupied by adults increased from 27 square feet to 35 square feet, which is the same as that of the government’s low-rent housing units. In addition to the living environment, the facilities in the new district have also been improved a lot. The biggest feature is that the units have terraces, but there are no open windows in the halls. The whole house is lighted by the
louver beside the terrace and the door, and some tenants will deliberately leave the top part empty to allow air convection.
Area of Public Space
~11.54%
Interaction Between Neighborhood The architectural layout of Twin Tower is an 8-shaped residential block. The lower and higher towers were linked together. Therefore, the void between the two towers provides a space for the interaction of the neighborhood and to give a visual connection between neighbors. Also, it leaves a space for the neighbor to have a connection with the environment outside.
Interaction Between Neighborhood & Environment Take Wah Fu Estate as an example. Some feng shui experts believe this is due to the unique geographical location of Huafu Village. Wah Fu Estate is located on the South Sea of Hong Kong Island. Therefore, they think it can absorb southern water. It is a first-class environment. At the back of the building, it is facing the sea which is an excellent location. There are also many fascinating urban legends in Wah Fu Village. The most well-known of them is that the collective witnesses of UFO residents have added legend to this public housing. The shape of Twin Tower, the 8-shaped residential block, helps to increase the surface which is facing the sea. Therefore, the location of the building and the form of the building enhance the relationship between the neighbors and the environment. Moreover, the “Ten Years of Housing Project” also improves the living conditions of the residential buildings. From the early 1950s to 1960s the residential buildings were always with a typical rectilinear form without any void of it. Therefore, the ventilation of the buildings depends on the direction and the location of the building and the site chooses. And for the lightwells design of the Twin Tower enhance the total surface area of the building. Therefore, the ventilation of the building should be better. However, in terms of natural lighting, the Twin Tower design may be worse than the rectilinear shape building. Since there is leaving a void for better ventilation. So the units which are facing the void are quite dark because they are under the shadow.
Interaction Between Neighborhood & Society The residential building started considering the community facility around the site. Also take Wah Fu Estate as an example. It tends to be a self-contained public estate with commercial, educational, recreational and transportation facilities. Also for improving the usage of the facilities, the imported proprietary playground equipment and street furniture were used. And near to the building, it contained a shopping arcade, schools, bus terminals and other amenities.
04
Long Term Housing Strategy NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT Since the “Ten-Year Housing Plan” failed because the
planning target users were limited by the low and middle classes, so there was lack of attraction to private property investors, the Government issued the “Long Term Housing Strategy” afterwards in 1987. The strategy provided a chance to expand the plan of old districts renewal and the full utilization of private building resources. Two main objectives were care in the housing proposal. First, helping all the families to acquire suitable and affordable housing. Second, promotion of home purchase among citizens as a long-term solution to the housing problem which called “Home Ownership Scheme”.
1980s
Photo by Hong Kong Instagrammer, yat6seung4gau1ying2
Form
#04
Y-Shape Blocks Trident and linear form was built. Trident blocks three dimensional wings in Y shape and built with shared lift in the central core. It was built 34-storey high. Linear blocks is known for its flexibility design, it design in a way of a mut-function room, partitions can be set up by the tenants.
Y-Shape Blocks
1980s
The corridor-like walkway and the central traffic organization method led to the birth of the “Y”-shaped building. Since its inception in the 1980s, it has experienced the evolution of “Y”-shaped buildings from one to four, and the efficiency of the use of the site has also been continuously improved. Different units no longer need to be arranged face-to-face, thus enhancing the privacy of residents.
Area of Public Space
~20.2%
Interaction Between Neighborhood In the 1980s, the design of the residential building was more focused on the quality of the building and the living condition. Therefore, the single-room concept of the past three decades was replaced by multi-room residential units. Therefore, each unit contains private rooms and an individual toilet and kitchen. Although the closed relationship in a compressed area may be affected by the separated rooms, the living condition is being improved. Moreover, the privacy of each unit becomes higher. Take the Trident Block as an example. On the layout plan of the Trident Block, there are double-loaded corridor access and central circulation access gave rise to the Trident I, II, III and IV building types. The efficiency of site usage is increased. Flats of different blocks are no longer directly facing each other and give higher privacy to the occupants.
Interaction Between Neighborhood & Environment Public housing design has become more site-specific since the late 1980s, with a focus on providing natural lighting and cross-ventilation. Therefore, it starts to use the linear block since the 1980s to increase the plasticity of the building form. So there are many types of layout plans in this kind of system. The layout plan of the linear block is based on the condition of site-adaptive design, single-loaded corridor, standard unit sizes, multirooms in each domestic unit and self-contained. The design becomes more targeted. But not as single as before, or putting an unsuitable design in one place. Moreover, most of them contain balconies. Therefore, the interaction between the environment and also the neighbors are increased. Moreover, the single-loaded corridor is used. A single-loaded corridor is an open corridor that provides one-side access to rooms and leaves another side open for natural ventilation and sunlight.
Interaction Between Neighborhood & Society
corridor
flat
Community facilities have been enhanced since the 1980s. The estates will provide open spaces and extensive external works. ANd also, some of them even contain large commercial centres in a more market-oriented approach.
05
The Standard Buildings IMPROVEMENT OF PUBLIC HOUSING Housing Department conducted a review on the design of standard public housing, and was interested in designing a new standard building. The purpose of the design was to further improve the efficiency and quality of the building, and to increase the area and kitchen area. The standard area of other places such as the toilet area is the basis of the design. The standard components and dimensions are matched with each other. The standard parts include the structural part, the span of the unit, the height of each floor, and the main parts. This innovative standard public housing was officially launched and named “Harmony”. The meaning of “harmony” means that this building can meet the needs of families of different sizes and provide a comfortable living environment. This standard design became a common layout of the public housings after the 1990s, and still being apply in nowadays Hong Kong public dwelling design.
1990s
Source: Hong Kong Film Services Office
Form
#05
Standard Blocks Public housing came with standardized units with various types of sizes in order to cater for different households. Windows is built in every room in order to introduce daylight and fresh air. Also, precast building components were commonly used in purpose to maintain quality and shorten the construction period.
Before the 1990s, public housing in Hong Kong was built with cast in situ concrete. The construction progress includes steel, formwork and pour concrete. It causes so much time with these steps.
Construction - Before 1990s
The public housing estates, on average, need about 5 years from planning to completion. Hong Kong Housing Department introduced serious of standard block design, “Harmony Types” and “New Cruciform Type”. The structure of the Harmony blocks is composed of only structural walls and flat slabs. The standard block design further incorporate with the prefabrication construction. Since the size and shape of the walls and slabs are standardized. Most of the formwork is able to be exchanged in the Harmony block series. This method would not only allows the contractors lower the expense expenditure in formwork, but they also shorten the amount of time needed to prepare the formwork for each standard Form of block for the building.
Features of Harmony Block: 1. Standardize layout and design detail 2. Large steel panel for all wall formwork 3. Precast façade and staircases 4. Semi precast concrete floor slab 5. Factory produced components, eg.
Construction - After 1990s
Concord Block Taking advantage of advances in construction technology, such as the use of rigorous standardization and standard building components developed by the factory, as well as effective and simple construction for series. It combines and strengthens the Harmony Block and the Latest Designs of Cruciform Block.
Large Panel Metal Framework The framework helps to reduce the minimum on-site skill levels and increases the standardlisation and repitation potention. Since it allows off-site production, the erection times are accelerated, especial the construction works. An efficient way to reduce the need for framework and and prevent the falsework.
Precast Elements The categories include precast facade, precast staircase, precast ground floor water tank, precast panel wall, semi precast slab, and volumetric precast bathroom. Prefabrication might not significantly shorten the construction time. In HA construction, 6-days cycle has been an optimum. However, it can maintain the quality of work. Prefabrication can help reduce the demand for manpower since works can be done by specially trained labourers supported with machinery in precast factories. Due to less labour being required, cost can be reduced. Cost is also reduced due to the standardized production, and less error would be made. The method of construction, such as casting in windows into facades can resist water penetration and leakage through exterior walls. Precast construction ensured labourers safety by reducing the height activities. Storage areas of precast products on site are often minimal because the majority of transportation are planned to be just in time and products stacked on detachable truck trailers.
Modules & Units The breakthrough of the Harmony Building is the use of a unified design for the kitchen and toilet areas of each unit, and the dimensions of the dining room and the first room are also unified. That is to say, the design of each family unit is based on one bedroom. The design of the unit and the living room also unifies the long and wide design.
Units
Class 1-B 1-B One-Bedroom Unit
The one-bedroom unit is the basic design unit for all types of family units. The standard width of the living room is 4.8 meters, and the room has independent windows. The 1B unit at the end of the building can choose to add a triangle-shaped small unit during construction. The window is convenient for residents to add an extra bedroom.
Units
Class 2-B 2-B Two-Bedroom Unit
The two-bedroom unit is modelled on a 1B unit. The design of the kitchen, toilet, and living room are the same. However, an additional 2.1-meter by 3.6-meter bedroom is added to one side of the living room to form a 2B unit.
Units
Class 3-B 3-B Three-Bedroom Unit
The three-bedroom unit is similarly modelled on the 1B unit. However, there are more family members who live in the 3B unit. Therefore, there are two toilets, one with a basin and shower room, and the other with a shower. As the overall area of the bathroom has increased, the area of the bedroom near the toilet has decreased accordingly.
In the other two rooms, there are a total of three different combinations, appearing in differently designed harmonious buildings. In the Harmony Buildings that were completed in 1997, the design of the two bathrooms of the three-bedroom unit was improved, and each bathroom also had its own toilet.
Units
Class 1-P/2-P 1-P One Person / 2-P Two Person Unit
It caters for the needs of singles and two-person families. The small unit is divided into two from the standard unit. There are two designs in the Harmony 1P unit. One is a square design. The unit is square and covers an area of 16.4 square meters. The other is a triangular design with an area of 16.9 square meters. The area of these two 1P units is exactly the area of the two rooms in the two three-bedroom models. This uniform size design makes the harmonious design more diversified.
Area of Public Space
~26.3%
Interaction Between Families The unit area in Harmony Block is larger and there are fewer flats fit on each floor. The standard unit sizes for 1-2 person, 3-4 person, 4-5 person and 5-7 person families. Since there are fewer people within one floor. Therefore, less chance to meet different neighbors. But the houses will become more spacious and comfortable.
Inside the units, there are no fixed partitions apart from standard service rooms. Therefore, occupants can arrange rooms according to their needs. Continuation of the design condition to the 1980s. The design also considers site-specific and user-oriented design. Therefore, environmental planning is improved. There is an annex block attached to Harmony style block with universal design flats for elderly and physically impaired people and harmony rural type for suburban. Therefore, it can according to the needs of different occupants, different units can be selected.
Interaction Between Neighborhood & Society There are restrictions on community facilities. The estate should according to the provision of community facilities according to the Hong Kong Planning Standard and Guidelines and the demography of individual estates. To ensure that each housing estate has sufficient community activities and community facilities. Moreover, each estate will trend to provide different artwork, color schemes and features to enhance the sense of neighborhood.
1950s
Area of Public Space
1960s
Area of Public Space
1970s
Area of Public Space
1980s
Area of Public Space
1990s
Area of Public Space
~30%
~17%
~11.54%
~20.2%
~26.3%
Authors
CHEUNG SIU LAM 173401104
CHOW SUM YIN 173401108
CHING TUN YEUNG 173401602
KO HANG MAN 173401112
TO CHI WAI 173401119
Appendix
Hong Kong Public Housing in The Furutre
Looking Back of the Public Housing for Future Development
Since 1954, public housing project in hong kong have been launching for more than fifty years. Public housing was changed to fulfill the needs of the society. The transition of public housing is as fast as the completion until 1990. Housing Department of Hong kong have found out the ‘perfect’ solution for public housing which is the Standard block. Standard block become the only answer for public housing after 1990. Although there are still many different type of public housing remain in the city, it will be displaced in the foreseeable future due to building ageing. A question arise in my mind:Is there anything of the old generation of public housing is valuable to be noticed?
Cheung Siu Lam 173401104
By looking for some precious photos of old public housing estates, I find out something interesting which is the facade of the building. Those facade retains aesthetic value and inherits collective memory.
Image:photo of Yue Kwong chuen facade source:Timeless Estates HK(https://www.facebook.com/hkestate/photos/4455567341185300)
This facade is kind of a non designed facade, Vertical exterior wall with windows painted with solid color. It is unexpected to see these interesting textures on the wall which i believe is caused by the defects of the exterior paint. These unintended beauty can be found in the old public housing.
Image:photo of Pak Tin Estate facade source:Timeless Estates HK(https://www.facebook.com/hkestate/photos/4572566646152035)
The long rectangular shape of the building presents its facade as a gigantic
wall. When night falls, the facade comes alive. The twinkling light from the flat vitalises the facade. These facade is a strong context to the neighbour and gives off a vibe of harmony.
Image:photo of Wo lok Estate source:Timeless Estates HK(https://www.facebook.com/hkestate/photos/4572566646152035)
There usually are courtyard for the old public housing estate. There are playing facilities and sittings for the social gathering. The intriguing thing is that almost all the flats are visually connected to the courtyard. That enhance the intimacy of the neighbour. It was common for the parents to let the kid back home for dinner by voice out through the windows. There are numerous hidden values of the old public housing. Public housing is the architecture for the human. The cost-efficiency should not be the only primary factor taken into accounts. Public housing should be in a way satisfy psychological needs. I think the old public housing can be the hints for future public housing design.
Chow Sum Yin 173401108
Chow Sum Yin 173401108
Hong Kong Public Housing In The Future As a conclusion of the booklet, “Hong Kong Public Housing”, the transitional stages of public housing during the past fifty years have been analysis, from the unit layouts to the user’s interaction.
In the 1950 to 1960, the original purpose of public housing was only providing a temporary emergency shield, a housing to resettle the fire victims of Shek Kip Mei Squatter. The building designs were simple, people lived in a small size of bedrooms with a shared toilet with other residences. The privacy is less. Although it provided a interaction chance to the residence and neighbors, the public safety were not well. This leaded many crimes happened in the resettlement buildings in the old days. Due to the influence of resettlement housing and the progress of society, the housing policy had been issued a new housing policy to provide permanent housing in 1970s. Therefore, the government tried to convert and redeveloped the resettlement housing, such as demolition plan of Shek Kip Mei Estate. And more permanent public housing estates were built and rent to the citizens, likes Sha Tin Lek Yuen Estate in 1975. Since the pervious housing planning was only focusing on the low and middle classes, “Long Term Housing Strategy” was announced afterwards in 1987. “New Town” concept was raised. Different new cities were continuously built, such as Tin You Estate in Tin Shui Wai, Po Lam in Tseung Kwan O. These estates provided a meaning to the development of Hong Kong public dwellings instead of only providing residential use. While the government design these “New Town”, the developers were not only focusing on the residential use, but they also care about the surrounding public facilities and landscape design in order to provide a well living environment. The estates are in a concept of “Self-Sufficient”. There are different social facilities within the estate, like post-office, bank, different schools, restaurants and even leisure areas. The residents can do any event or activity in their own estate.
PROPOSED FUTURE PUBLIC HOUSING IN HONG KONG
social issues and policies. Since there is a most important problem of public housing in Hong Kong is that there is not enough of it. For a household to afford a typical flat, it requires to save its entire income for 19 years. Also, there were over 285,000 people on the waiting list for a subsidized flat. Most of them will wait up to 4.5 years. Therefore, public housing still is a important dwelling typology for Hong Kong citizens. The future public housings should be still in high-rise and even taller. And the current construction methods of high-rise building are mature. Module is the easiest way to build a high-rise and meet the economic benefit. Moreover, by 2050, the predicted world urban population will be increase to 85%, and more lands will be used for urban development. So, there will be a decrease of open spaces in Hong Kong, most of them maybe combine into the high-rise public housings.
CONCORD BLOCK
MODULAR UNITS
DEVELOPABLE
Hong Kong Public Housing in The Future A future public dwelling builds by module units and can be continuously extendable upward. The module units also can be extendable horizontally to provide more housings when the society needs instead of building a whole new residential. Since there will be few open spaces, the proposed concept combines the greenery and natural environment into the public housing. Moreover, by using the same idea, some leisure spaces can be combine to public housings too.
Ching Tun Yeung 173401602
Ko Hang Man 173401112
To Chi Wai 173401119
ARCHITECTURE
TYPOLOGY STUDY PUBLIC HOUSING 2020