liberal studies teaching kit for senior secondary

Culture in Vernacular Architecture

Liberal Studies Teaching Kit for Senior Secondary Curriculum

[Teacher notes]

Hong Kong Today

Organizer Sponsor Research Team

ContentsPreamble

Teaching plan i

DisclaimerCreate Hong Kong of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.© 2012 Hong Kong Institute of Architects

Lesson 1: Culture in Vernacular Architecture

1.1 Vernacular Architecture for People

1.2 Case Studies: Various Cultures in Vernacular Architecture of Hong Kong

1.2.1 Tong Lau or Tenement Houses

1.2.2 Stilt Houses

1.2.3 Walled Village

Exercise: Examine a nearby Vernacular Building

Summary, Key words and Further reading

02

05

05

10

14

16

18

Liberal Studies | Culture in Vernacular Architecture

Topic 01 Culture in Vernacular Architecture

Major teaching areasLiberal Studies: Module 2 Hong Kong Today

• Theme 1: Quality of Life

• Theme 3: Identity

Related teaching areasLiberal Studies: Module 5 Public Health

• Theme 2: Science, Technology and Public Health

Learning objectives• To distinguish the difference between vernacular and professionally designed architecture• To understand the characteristics of different typologies of vernacular architecture in Hong Kong• To understand the connection and interplay between architecture, lifestyle, social context and

environment

Interdisciplinary teaching areasDesign and Applied Technology:

• Strand 1 Design and Innovation

• Strand 2 Technological Principles

• Strand 3 Value and Impact

Teaching planLesson ContentsLesson 1 • 1.1

• 1.1.1

• 1.2

• 1.2.1

• 1.2.2

• 1.2.3

Introductory photos of vernacular and professional architecture

Concept and definition of vernacular architecture

Case studies focusing on three types of vernacular architecture and their connections to residents’ lifestyle, social context and environment

Tong Lau or Tenement House

Stilt House

Walled Village

i


Lesson 1Culture in Vernacular Architecture

01


1. Palazzi of Venice, Italy 2. Schröder House, Utrecht, The Netherlands 3. Tenement house, Hong Kong 4. Houses in Cinque Terre, Italy

1.1 Vernacular Architecture for People

In The Encyclopedia of Vernacular Architecture of the World, Professor Paul Oliver defines vernacular architecture as:‘...comprising the dwellings and all other buildings of the people. Related to their environmental contexts and available resources they are customarily owner- or community-built, utilizing traditional technologies. All forms of vernacular architecture are built to meet specific needs, accommodating the values, economies and ways of life of the cultures that produce them.’

Are these buildings vernacular architecture? Why or why not?

1

23

4

Lesson 1Culture in Vernacular Architecture

02


Left to right, top to bottom: 1. Tulou, Fujian, China 2. IFC 2, Hong Kong 3. Bamboo theatre, Hong Kong 4. Houses in Suzhou, China

1

2

3

4

Teaching TipsFor further example on how culture influences architecture, pleases refer to Arts Topic 03 ‘ Chinese Calligraphy, Painting and Architecture’; and Topic 07 ‘ Aesthetics of Zen in Japanese Garden’ .

03


By comparing the above examples, we can have a rough idea of what vernacular architecture means. Usually, buildings designed by professional architects are not considered vernacular. Some would simply define vernacular architecture as ‘architecture without architects’.

American Architect Frank Lloyd Wright defined vernacular architecture as ‘folk building growing in response to actual needs, fitted into the environment by people who knew no better than to fit them with native feeling’.

The stilt houses in Ma Wan are examples of vernacular architecture. They were not designed by architects, but instead were developed slowly through time by the local people to adapt to the environment and their living style, and were built with the most handy materials.

Characteristics of vernacular architecture are as below:

• Use of traditional or locally available construction skills• Use of simple technology and commonly available materials• ‘New structure with old techniques’ as experiment and innovation are more costly than repetition• Evolved slowly through numerous experimental trials and errors instead of specifically designed by a professional• Functionalistic and simple design which fulfils basic needs of the people• Born of people’s needs, culture, tradition and adapted to local climate

Teaching TipsVernacular architecture is an example of Hong Kong’s local culture. For further information, please refer to Topic 03: ‘Globalization and Localization of Architecture and Urban Planning’.

04


1.2.1 Tong Lau or Tenement Houses - architecture for a dense population

1.2 Case Studies: Various Cultures in Vernacular Architecture of Hong Kong

What is Tong Lau?

The history of tenement houses or Tong Lau (唐樓) dates back to the mid-19th century. The ground floor of a tenement house is occupied by a shop while the mezzanine and other storeys are for living. Multiple tenants usually shared one flat due to the shortage of living space at the time. Eventually this grew to be one of the most common building types in Hong Kong, South China and Southeast Asia, with particular stylistic flourishes in each place.

Why were Tong Lau developed?

When Hong Kong became a British colony in 1842, a large number of Chinese from China’s coastal cities moved to this politically stable colonial city in search of better lives, causing a serious shortage of housing. On the other hand, the establishment of Victoria City (維多利亞城), the area around Central today, required cheap labour which could be fulfilled by the influx of Chinese immigrants. Chinese workers began to settle in Sheung Wan, the periphery of Victoria City. Borrowing the architectural style from South China, Tong Lau was the quick and convenient answer to the housing problem.

A series of Tong Lau at Shanghai Street

05


Life in a shophouse

Most prewar (built before 1945) Tong Laus are 3 to 4-storey high while later tenement houses after 1950 have 8 storeys at most. Early Tong Laus were long and narrow, accessed by a long, dark staircase without any natural lighting and ventilation. There was also no provision of elevators and toilets which explained the need for the collection of night soil (倒夜香) in the past.

What is the architectural style of Tong Lau?

Although Hong Kong Tong Laus resemble the other tenement buildings in South China, they are unique in their details which display a mix of Chinese and Western styles. Very often, Tong Laus have balconies or verandahs which project over the pedestrian pavement. Kee lau (騎樓) type tenement houses have columns to support the projecting floors, forming a continuous arcade on street level.

1. Hong Kong’s old corner house in 1960s.

2. Architectural details of Tong Laus at 10-12 Li Chit Street (built in 1920s). The Tong Laus have been demolished and only one of the façade was conserved after renovation.

3. Architectural details of Tong Laus at 1168 Canton Road (built in 1940s)

4. The arcade formed by 117-125 Nam Cheong Street (built in 1930s-1940s)

1

2

3

© Raymond Wong

4 06


How were Tong Laus built?

Early Tong Laus were supported by brick or stone load-bearing walls and beams.

1. Blue (grey) Canton bricks were chosen for the walls as they were cheaper than the stronger red bricks.

2. The ground floor was laid with Canton tiles.

3. The upper floor was made of Chinese timber floor planks supported by timber rafters.

4. The pitched roof was clad with unglazed clay tiles.

Tong Laus after 1935 were built in reinforced concrete.

How do Tong Laus adapt to the climate of Hong Kong?

Despite the cramped living condition and poor design of the earliest Tong Laus, they are built to respond to the climate.

1. High ceiling (approximately 4-5m high) 2. Large windows 3. Balconies 4. Verandahs are features which help create a well-lit and well-ventilated interior as a solution to the hot and humid climate of Hong Kong.

p Balconies and large windows of Lui Seng Chung

Canton Brick

Common Materials in Tong Laus

Canton Tile Timber Planks Clay Roof Tile

Reinforced Concrete

Verandahs In Hong Kong, verandahs are often elevated to upper floor due to lack of space. Movable roof is installed to adapt different weather conditions.

p Nam Cheong Pawnshop p Mido Cafe

Teaching TipsFor further information, pleases refer to Design and Applied Technology Topic 06: ‘Health and Safety Controls in Residential Buildings in Hong Kong ’.

07


Effects of building design on lives of people

To accommodate different families resulted from the influx of immigrant workers, each flat was divided into front room, middle room, end room (Fig. 1) or even smaller cubicles.

Sometimes the roof and the attic above the kitchen would be rented out too. The front room was the only room open to fresh air and natural light, and would usually be occupied by the landlord, the only person who could afford the rent.

Rooms were separated by partitions which were built lower than the ceiling height to leave a gap for ventilation since there was no window in the whole flat except at the front of the building. As partitions were thin and without any soundproofing, privacy was a critical issue. Hygiene condition was also poor as all tenants had to share the only bathroom and kitchen.

Fig. 1 Typical plans, section and elevation of Tong Lau at 10-12 Li Chit Street in 1920s. Legend: 1. cookhouses 2. shop 3. smoke hole through the roof and floor 4. cockloft or platform above tenement cabins 5. tenement cabins 6. street in front of building

Media Corner

Hong Kong Stories (Series 15) - Our HistoryEpisode 10 - A Roof Over Our Heads20-3-2011 Duration: 22 min.

Chinese versionh t tp : / /p r ogr amme. r thk .o r g.hk / r thk / t v /p r ogr amme.php?name=tv /hks to r i es15&d=2011-03-

20&p=5013&e=134356&m=ep isode

English versionh t tp : / /p r ogr amme. r thk .hk / r thk / t v /p r ogr amme.php?name=tv /hks to r i es_ourh i s to r y&d=2012-01-

25&p=5227&e=165561&m=ep isode

orh t tp : / /e v ideo. l i b.hku .hk /p lay.php?v id=4692654

61

1

1

3

4

5

26

1

5

2

Section

Section

1

4

3

Ground Floor Plan First Floor Plan

Section Elevation

08


http://programme.rthk.org.hk/rthk/tv/programme.php?name=tv/hkstories15&d=2011-03-20&p=5013&e=134356&m=episode



http://programme.rthk.hk/rthk/tv/programme.php?name=tv/hkstories_ourhistory&d=2012-01-25&p=5227&e=165561&m=episode



http://evideo.lib.hku.hk/play.php?vid=4692654

What are the problems in early Tong Laus

In the early days of Tong Lau, there was no regulation on its design. The buildings were tightly packed, built side to side and back to back without any space for natural ventilation and light could not penetrate into the interior and the building blocks were long and narrow (Fig. 1).

How did the government regulate the Tong Laus design?

Prompted by the outbreak of bubonic plague in the over-crowded tenement block quarters around Tai Ping Shan Street, Sheung Wan in 1894, the government finally implemented the first buildings’ control under the Public Healthy and Buildings Ordinance in 1903 to regulate the design of Tong Laus in order to ensure the quality of construction and living space.

1. Improvement of Tong Laus

A back lane and open space had to be provided, which means that more space had to left between buildings. Building height was restricted to the width of the street it was facing to ensure enough daylight penetrate, and building depth was limited to 12m to improve natural lighting condition of the interior.

2. Official Buildings’ regulation on Tong Laus

The statutory regulation over Tong Lau design was further strengthened with the Buildings Ordinance 1935. Allowable building depth was further reduced to 11m. Adequate light and ventilation was to be provided at every storey on every staircase, hence caused the emergence of a new type of Tong Lau with a naturally lit and ventilated common staircase (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2 Typical floor plan of a Tong Lau designed in compliance to Buildings Ordinance 1935.

© Ferdinand Cheng / H. Y. Lee

Tong Lau at Wing Lee Street with ventilated staircases

09


1.2.2 Stilt Houses - architecture for a traditional lifestyle

p Lives of people in the 1960s, before the fire in 2000

What is stilt house?Stilt houses, a type of housing elevated above the water on stilts, can be found in fishing villages of Tai O and Ma Wan. They were built by the Tanka, a group of people who have lived in South China provinces including Guangdong and Fujian for centuries, and they were also one of the earliest habitants in Hong Kong. This building typology has gone through a long evolution to suit the habits and lifestyle of its creator.

Why did the Tanka people build stilt houses?The Tanka people live on boats and rely mainly on fishing and salt production for a living. There is no standard definition of what ethnicity the Tanka is. It is however believed that they were a mix of Han and other southern races who fled to the sea due to war or exile. The stilt house typology in Tai O was gradually developed around 200 years ago when the Tai O Tanka people moved into houses as family sizes grew too big to be accommodated by the traditional boathouses.

How were stilt houses built?The earliest stilt houses were constructed in a barrel-shape resembling a boat with wooden planks, stone stilts and palm leaves, while later houses were made of metal sheeting, wooden planks and stilts. The barrel form was taken over by the pitched roof and houses expanded from one-storey to two-storey high.

Local residents found the earliest structures were not strong enough. The stone pillars collapse easily and the

whole structure would shift away during serious floods.

In the 50s, Tai O locals began to take wood from disused fishing boats for the construction of stilt houses. This reddish brown ironwood (坤甸木) from South China is strong and resistant to water erosion, and therefore widely used in boat making. Villagers found it to be the perfect material for the local environment.

After a devastating fire in 2000, Tai O saw the birth of a new type of stilt house. New materials including plaster and aluminium sheets were used.

p Stilt houses in Tai O. Note the pitched roofs, the multi-use wooden decks and access to boats by ladders

10


1&2: An early vaulted stilt house on concrete supports and a close up view of a vaulted roof. Note how the roof is repaired with handy materials.

How do stilt houses evolve?

1. Spatial arrangement Houses belonging to different households often cluster along a common wooden walkway which stretches from land to sea. Facilities such the kitchens and the shared bathrooms are placed along this axis. The house at the end of the walkway and right above the water is built with a wooden deck. Fishing boats are tied right underneath and are easily accessible by a ladder which stretches from the deck to the water.

2. Constructural improvement An early vaulted stilt house is divided into two rooms while a newer house has 3 compartments on the ground floor and bedrooms on the upper floor. Cross bracing was also used to improve structural stability of the stilt supports.

3. Reconstruction of the vernacular village After the fire in 2000, affected residents were allowed to rebuild their houses. Despite the need to apply for reconstruction licence and to comply to fire safety requirements, the reconstruction process was organic and flexible as typical in vernacular architecture. The residents communicated closely with the builders, and the resulting new houses were all customised to the owners’ needs.

1 2

p An open kitchen next to a common corridor. Behind this kitchen shed are a bathroom, a shed for storage and other stilt houses.

p Wooden stilts with concrete footingsp A new generation stilt house with cross-braced wooden stilt supports and aluminium boards

11


Evolution of stilt house: 4 generations

Architecture is always changing in response to the needs of people. Such intense integration with people’s lives is particularly evidenced in vernacular buildings such as stilt houses. Vernacular architecture may appear unprofessional and not the most aesthetically pleasant, but it evolves through time to fit into people’s life and is therefore a good solution for its users.

First generation• Bamboo arch roof• Wooded structural framework• Circular stone plinth• Single storey rectangular compartment

Second generation• Wooden truss roof• Wooden structural framework• Slender stone plinth• Single storey rectangular compartment

Third generation• Wooden frame roof• Wooden structural framework• Wood pillar as base support• Multi-storey compartment with semi-open deck

Fourth generation• Wooden frame roof• Wooden structural framework• Further division of space• Balcony over front deck• Wood pillar protected with concrete plinth

First generation of stilt house

Bamboo strips

Compartment

Stone plinth

Stone plinth

Roof framing

Front deck

Front deck

Structures for kitchen sanitation

Wood pillar protected with concrete plinth

Wood pillar

Wooded purlin

Wood truss

Section

Section

Section

Section

Second generation of stilt house

Third generation of stilt house

Fourth generation of stilt house 12


How do stilt houses adapt to lifestyle and needs?

1. Terrace The terrace side facing the water is regarded as the front/head (棚頭) of the stilt house. As there was insufficient electricity supply in the past, a lot of activities such as drying of salted fish, net knitting and cooking were conducted under the sun and such outdoor space was important. As the fishing industry diminished, families and young people would still enjoy barbecue on the deck while older people dry salted fish, salted egg yolks and shrimps in the sun.

2. Personal taste of architectural design When residents rebuilt the houses that were lost in the fire of 2000, they worked closely with the builders to make sure the new houses suit their individual needs. For example, Mr. Wong wanted to explore new methods of construction, and so he used red roof tiles instead of the traditional metal sheeting. Mr. Fan, who owned a salted fish shop, was allowed to build a larger platform for producing salted fish. Another Mr. Wong, who was a painter, decided to incorporate a double-volume space with a skylight to be his studio.

These examples show how dynamic architecture can be. Such interaction, flexibility, adaptation according to needs, environmental condition and resources are all essential elements in vernacular architecture which modern, professionally designed architecture often lacks.

p Multi-purpose outdoor space is important for the fishermen families. The deck is where the family gathers, prepare for work and for meals, as well as to relax.

p A new house with aluminium sheeting, aluminium windows and a large deck

p Mr Wong’s house rebuilt with red roof and in resemblance to houses in Jiangnan (江南) — an example of vernacular architecture adapted to individual taste and combination of traditional building technology.

13


1.2.3 Walled Village - architecture for defence

What is walled village? Early residents of the New Territories were mainly farmers from South China. In an agricultural society, people lived with their own clan (氏) in a cluster of farm houses in South China architectural style.

The main entrance, assembly hall and the ancestral hall aligns to a central axis. As the clan expanded, side houses were built around the older houses but the symmetrical layout was retained. Between the houses were courtyards and lanes for circulation and which also allowed natural ventilation in the hot wet climate of Hong Kong. Some walled villages even have watch towers at the corners and moats around the wall.

Why were walled villages developed? The history of Hong Kong’s walled village dates back to Ming and Qing dynasties. There are 2 types of walled villages - the Punti (本地) and the Hakka (客家). In Ming and Qing dynasties, Punti villagers began to build walls around their houses to protect themselves from pirates’ attack. In late Qing, Hakka people began to settle in the New Territories. Due to their different culture, language and customs, they also built walls to protect the village against rival clans.

How were walled villages built? Houses in a walled village were constructed with traditional materials such as stone, bricks, timber and Chinese tiles. Strong metal gates and wooden shutters were installed at the main entrances.

2 3

1

Teaching TipsField trip to the walled village, Sam Tung Uk, under Topic 04: ‘Visit: Sam Tung Uk — Chinese Walled Village in Hong Kong’.

p The watch tower at the corner of Shan Ha Wai (also known as Tsang Tai Uk) (山下圍，又稱曾大

屋), Shatin. It is believed that the fork-shaped feature on the ‘pot-ear-shaped’ walls (鑊耳形山牆) is a symbolic device to drive evil spirits and bad luck away.

p Wooden shutter for security

14


Fig. 8 Plans and sections of a house in the walled village Tsang Tai Uk (plans and sections)

Legend: 1. Dinning room 2. Living room 3. Bedrooms 4. Kitchen 5. Skylight

Fig. 8 Master layout plan of the walled village Tsang Tai Uk

First Floor Plan

B

B

B

B

A

A

A

A

Section AAGround Floor Plan

Section BB

5

3

3

2

5

443

3

2

3

15


Identifying and examining a vernacular building nearby

Type of the vernacular architecture:

Location:

Year of construction:

Materials:

Current use:

1. Identify a vernacular building nearbyStudents should identify a vernacular building near the school or in their neighbourhood.

Photograph of chosen building here

To be completed by students

What is the population density in the area?What are the historical and current development in the area?Are there any physical constraints?

2. What do you notice in the surrounding environment?


[Exercise]

16


3. Suggest one solution of the vernacular building in response to the people’s life and the environment.

Photo of the feature

Physical Features

What is the physical feature?

What problem is the physical feature responding?

Photograph of chosen building here


4. Report your findings to the class and conclude by answering these questions:What lifestyle does this vernacular building represent?

- How could it improve the quality of living?

- Can you see signs of the building’s evolution over time?

17


Summary• Vernacular buildings are designed by everyday people who use and live in them. The building methods

and designs have gone through a long process of evolution in response to culture, climate and technology.

• The Tong Lau / tenement house is a building type popular in South China from late 19th century to 1960s. The ground floor of a Tong Lau is occupied by a shop while the other stories are residential flats.

• A stilt house is a building type created by the Tanka people who rely mainly on fishing for their livelihood. The house is made of wood with metal sheeting, and is supported above the water by wooden stilts.

• Walled villages are found throughout Southern China. They are formed of a group of houses enclosed by a protective wall, and were usually built by Hakka or Punti farmers.

Further reading1. 《大澳－尋回昔日的香江》網站

http://www2.hkedcity.net/citizen_files/aa/ce/my400897/public_html/index.htm

2. 張兆和、廖迪生《香港地區史研究之二：大澳》，香港：三聯書店（香港）有限公司 2006。

3. 陳翠兒、蔡宏興《空間之旅－香港建築百年》，三聯書店 2005。

4. Yeung, Gary. “Practicing the Built Tradition in Tai O Hong Kong: the meaning of revitalizing vernacular neighborhoods in post-traditional environment”. HKIA Journal issue(2007) 48. <http://www.hkia.net/hk/pdf/journal/journal_issue48_part4.pdf>

Organizer Sponsor Research Team

Key wordsVernacular architecture Tenement house Stilt house Walled Village

18


liberal studies teaching kit for senior secondary

Documents