100 years of Hong Kong architecture chronicles of early Chinese architects in Hong Kong IV
Citation
HKIA journal: the official journal of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (香港建築師學報), no.44, 2005, pp. 46-55
Abstract
Introduction
The last of the series honours two architects that were engineers by training. Szeto Wai had the unique background of being both a structural and mechanical engineer, but his work actually demonstrated great deal of design sensitivity. Methodist church in Jordan exemplifies his skills in making space and light. Various buildings in Chinese University of Hong Kong revealed the plasticity and materiality of concrete. Kwun Lung Lau in Kennedy Town is often regarded as one place of the best early public housing prototypes.
Yuen Tat Cho, on the other hand, received formal education in both engineering and architecture. His design of Hang Seng Bank and Tung Ying Building are practical in nature but embodied a response and unterstanding toward human use and functions. Both also fit well within the immediate physical context. His modernist language in fact found a perfect niche for the highly efficient commercial architecture in Hong Kong.
As we conclude this series, we again pay tributes to the eight architects/firms that were presented in past year's HKIA Journal. The glimpses we have provided are only among a large body of well-designed works in this era, they are nevertheless shaping the way architecture evolved and envisioned in the decades followed. Indeed, what these buildings representing are designs that genuinely of our very own nature, one that reflect our spirit, climate, social values, materials, technique and use. In a time that architectural design has continued to become more globalize, their works indeed should deserve more praises and acclaims, rather than looming with destruction in the name of urban improvement and economic progress.
To end, deep gratitude is extended to various people providing insights, information, assists and supports throughout our research, the list is long and we are forever in debt. Lastly, it is hoped that our findings can become a catalyst toward hsitorical research of our local architecture, ostensibly an under-represented or even missing notion in our profession.
(1) The engineer artist Szeto Wai (司徒惠) (1913-1991) CBE, B.Sc., D.Sc. HKIA, CENG, FICE, FISTRUCTE, FASCE, MiMechE, FIPHE, MCONSE
(2) The architect engineer Yuen Tat Cho (阮達祖) B.Sc.(H.K.), B. Arch. (Liverpool), HKIA, ARIBA
Description
Architect: Szeto Wai (司徒惠)
Yuen Tat Cho (阮達祖)
Type
Article
Format
Date
2005
Language
en