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1. Push to save Chinese buildings

1. Push to save Chinese buildings
CHLOE LAI, SCMP 15 November 2005

Overseas heritage conservationists will speak at a workshop on Thursday to share their experience on preserving and restoring historic buildings, especially brick and timber structures.

The Urban Renewal Authority hopes the Conservation Advisory Panel Workshop and the shared experiences will provide a foundation for the city to conserve Chinese-style tenement buildings.

An executive director of the authority, Andrew Lam Siu-lo said yesterday the city's experience with heritage conservation largely involved colonial buildings that were stone structures.

"We do not have much knowledge on conserving Chinese-style old buildings, which are mostly brick and timber structures," he said.

"The question is not whether we should conserve historically and architecturally significant buildings. The question now is how - how can we strike a balance between preservation and contemporary safety standards?"

Fifteen tenement blocks in Wan Chai are on the authority's conservation list - four blocks in Johnston Road, one in Ship Street and 10 in Mallory Street.

The Chinese-style tenement houses are also called Tong Lau. They were occupied exclusively by Chinese and predominantly seen all over southern Chinese cities in the 19th century.

Singaporean and Malaysian heritage conservationists are among the guests expected to speak at the workshop as the two countries have rich experience on restoring Chinese-style brick and timber buildings.

Mr Lam said the authority came across many thorny issues, ranging from fire safety to structural concerns, when it prepared for the buildings' restoration.

The authority needed to strike a balance between preserving the original layout and structure and creating flexibility for future use.