Published in 1929 by French master architect Le Corbusier. tomorrow’s cities and their plans, his revolutionary urbanization concept; His manifesto ran counter to how most European cities had developed organically since the Industrial Revolution, and that uncontrolled growth often lacked order or careful planning. .
While we now appreciate the unique characteristics of many former medieval cities, many back then were chaotic, unsanitary, and crowded. Le Corbusier provided a much-needed solution to the demands for economical housing, efficient transportation, and the sharing of urban space.
Inspired by Le Corbusier, urban planners spaced out high-rise buildings to welcome natural light and ventilation, increased density by stacking floors, and increased efficiency through unitization and standardization. .
Gone are the narrow alleys, makeshift outbuildings, and private gardens, replaced by wide streets, neat geometric blocks, and shared open spaces at ground level. This urbanization model quickly spread to include Hong Kong.
We built towers that reached new heights with window and lot area restrictions set by building codes. For most of us, home is an apartment in a private or public housing complex, and the architecture often looks bland and boring. However, all architecture records development, and great examples are not only functional, but also richly reflect history and culture. You should try to understand both the cultural and practical context before making superficial judgments.
These homes are neatly built around a large courtyard with a basketball court above the parking lot, shielded from the high-speed traffic and noise of Longchun Road and Kwun Tong Bypass. Additionally, the building is structurally sound with no visible damage or delamination.
Given the natural charm this property creates, why don’t we consider the option of reusing this property and the surrounding area? Choi Hung Estate is a win-win for tenants, tourists and the government. An ideal case study opportunity for Win transformation.
The single hallway layout not only maximizes natural light but also enhances ventilation in all apartments. At the time of its construction, few people could afford to install or use air conditioning.
For all of the green design principles that architects are increasingly exploring in new construction, check out Mann Rock House for passive sustainability design ideas that are better than those found in many more modern buildings. There’s no need to look any further. Man Rock House is never boring. It is a rare architectural treasure that is rarely seen in Hong Kong.
Architectural critic Edwin Heathcote recently wrote in the Financial Times about the “joys of boring buildings”, dismissing “perfume bottle” architecture and saying, “Attempts to create new identities through architecture are an ironic In particular, the constant pursuit of newness has become boring in and of itself.”
Heathcote defended architecture that others might regard as “boring architecture”, calling it “the antiquity of use” because “additions, additions, and adaptations deepened its complexity and embedded it in the life of the city.” “I got it,” he claims.
Even the dockland warehouses, with their utilitarian, functional buildings, unforgiving walls, and brutal scale, have become “hubs of gentrification,” he notes. Their large, no-frills spaces have proven ideal for modern lifestyles, and their scale and, to some extent, anonymity make them flexible and fashion-proof. ”
They want you to embrace Hong Kong’s historic Brutalist architecture.
They want you to embrace Hong Kong’s historic Brutalist architecture.
This is how we can assess the value of Choi Hung and Tai Hung Sai’s property if it were to survive demolition. Their very presence can strengthen our collective memory of a place, our design beliefs, and our pursuit of architectural significance.
Dennis Lee is a Hong Kong-born, American-licensed architect with many years of design experience in the United States and China.